Genetic Dissection of Leg and Back Feather Follicle Density in Yellow-Feathered Broiler: Integrative GWAS and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Regulatory Role of SERPINF1

    July 2026 in “ Poultry Science ”
    Xiaohuan Chao, Shuya Chen, Tong OuYang, Chutian Ye, Jie Chen, Jiongwen Wu, Xuerong Ma, Aijun Liu, Weiming Liang, Tianxi Cui, Lulu Xia, 晓凯 范, Youcheng He, Xiquan Zhang, Cheng Fang, Qingbin Luo
    TLDR SERPINF1 gene affects feather density in yellow-feathered broilers.
    This study investigated feather follicle density in the leg and back regions of 1,382 yellow-feathered broilers, finding that back feather follicle density was significantly higher than leg density and negatively correlated with various body weight measures. Through integrative GWAS and transcriptome analysis, 223 SNPs were linked to leg feather density and 107 to back feather density, with key genes identified, including SERPINF1, which showed higher expression in individuals with denser feather follicles. The study highlights the regulatory role of SERPINF1, where individuals with the AA genotype at a specific SNP locus had significantly higher feather follicle density compared to those with the GG genotype.
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