Genome‐Wide Identification, Characterization, and Nutrigenomics of <scp> <i>ELOVL</i> </scp> Genes in Laying Hens and Their Responses to Various Levels of Dietary Curcumin

We investigated molecular characteristics and tissue distribution of elongation of very long chain fatty acids (ELOVL) genes in the chicken (Gallus gallus) genome. The research specifically examines the expression levels of these genes in chickens fed diets enriched with varying concentrations of curcumin. The aim is to uncover the potential roles and functions of ELOVL genes in the metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) in this species. In the experimental design, Hy-Line Brown commercial laying hens were selected for a feeding trial lasting 10 weeks. During this period, the hens were fed diets supplemented with curcumin at 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg. The results revealed several critical insights: (1) It was confirmed that the ELOVL genes in Gallus gallus are orthologues of those found in vertebrates, indicating a shared evolutionary lineage; (2) There were noteworthy differences in how ELOVL genes, except ELOVL1 and ELOVL7, were distributed across various tissues and how they responded to dietary curcumin, prompting the need for comprehensive promoter analyses to better understand their functions in chickens; (3) The addition of curcumin to the diet did not increase omega-3 FAs in egg yolk; and (4) Dietary curcumin modulated ELOVL mRNA transcription in Gallus gallus. However, the intricate and multifaceted nature of FA metabolism presents challenges to fully grasping the implications of these results, highlighting the necessity for further in-depth investigations in this area.