In the quest to optimize poultry growth and health, a recent study published in *Scientific Reports* has shed new light on the role of arginine, a crucial amino acid, in shaping growth and gene expression in Japanese quails. The research, led by Mequanint Gashew from the University of Debrecen, reveals that dietary arginine levels can significantly influence growth, gene expression, and gene network connectivity, with striking differences between males and females.
The study involved 153 Japanese quail chicks, which were fed diets with varying levels of arginine—low, control, and high—over a 14-day period. The results were clear: post-hatch arginine restriction significantly impaired growth in both sexes. However, the gene expression and network connectivity responses to arginine availability were strongly sex-specific.
In female quails, arginine supplementation led to a coordinated upregulation of growth-related genes such as IGF1 and GHR, translation regulators like EIF4EBP1, lipid metabolism genes including FASN and FABP1, and oxidative defense genes such as SOD2. “This suggests that females are more responsive to dietary arginine levels, exhibiting a broader range of gene expression changes,” Gashew explained.
In contrast, male quails showed more limited changes, primarily involving the mTOR pathway and autophagy-related gene ATG5. Gene network analysis revealed enhanced connectivity and centrality in females under arginine supplementation, indicating a more extensive gene interaction response. Males, on the other hand, showed sparser networks under restriction, with MTOR and IGF1 emerging as key regulatory hubs.
These findings have significant implications for the poultry industry. Understanding how dietary arginine influences gene expression and growth can help farmers optimize feed formulations, potentially leading to improved growth rates and overall health in poultry. “Our results highlight the importance of considering sex-specific gene regulatory architectures when evaluating nutritional effects on vertebrate development,” Gashew noted.
The research also opens up new avenues for exploring the mechanisms underlying growth and gene expression in birds. By uncovering the sex-specific responses to arginine, this study provides a foundation for future research into personalized nutrition strategies for poultry. As the agricultural sector continues to seek more efficient and sustainable ways to raise livestock, such insights could be invaluable.
The study, led by Mequanint Gashew from the Department of Animal Science at the University of Debrecen, was published in *Scientific Reports*, offering a promising direction for future developments in poultry nutrition and genetics.