Integrative multi-omics analysis reveals key regulatory nodes of abdominal fat deposition in broiler chickens

Chicken is a major meat source globally, but excessive abdominal fat deposition in broilers reduces production efficiency and nutrient utilization. To elucidate the genetic and metabolic basis of abdominal fat deposition, multi-omics analysis was performed on 42-days-old female broilers with 12 high (FH) and 12 low (FL) abdominal fat percentages (AFP) from a cohort raised under uniform conditions. Whole-genome resequencing identified 537 potential selective genes (PSGs) within selective regions. Transcriptomic profiling of abdominal fat and liver tissues revealed 153 and 291 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively, with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) pinpointing 109 and 335 lipid-associated module hub genes (MHGs). Integrative multi-omics analysis prioritized 18 key candidate genes, and some are related to fat deposition such as FOXF1, ACSS2, USP10, and SEC16B. Furthermore, serum metabolomics uncovered 41 differential metabolites that functionally bridged hepatic regulation and fat deposition, with L-Tyrosine, pantothenic acid, and 10-hydroxydecanoic acid emerging as critical discriminators. This study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding fat deposition in poultry, offering potential targets for enhancing production efficiency.