Romanenkova OS, Kostyunina OV, Aleynikova OV.

Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026. Vol. 109. No. 3. Р. 80-94.

doi: 10.33284/2658-3135-109-3-80

Original article

Analysis of ISM1 gene expression in laying hens with different shell quality

 

Olga S Romanenkova1, Olga V Kostyunina2, Olga V Aleynikova3

1Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, Dubrovitsy, Russia

1eridpa@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2682-6164

2kostolan@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8206-3221

368ovk@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2583-0492

 

Abstract. Improving eggshell quality is critical for poultry production and human health. The aim of the study was to investigate ISM1 gene expression in various regions of the oviduct as a potential marker associated with eggshell quality in hens. The sample consisted of three groups: young hens (27-28 weeks, n=8), birds with eggshell quality problems (thinning and increased fragility, n=15), and laying hens of the late period of productivity without eggshell pathologies (n=25). A test system based on the real-time PCR method was developed for the study which was used to investigate the differential expression of the ISM1 gene in two sections of the chicken reproductive tract tissues - the shell gland and the isthmus. The GAPDH and ACTB genes were selected as a control. Statistical processing was performed using RStudio tools using the Mann-Whitney U-test. When comparing groups divided by cycle stage, a statistically significant increase in the relative expression level of the ISM1 gene (p<0.001) was observed in the shell gland in the group of hens at the preovulatory wave stage relative to the group in the middle of the cycle. Furthermore, in shell gland tissue samples, ISM1 expression levels were significantly increased in the thin-shelled chicken group (p=0.047) when comparing "late production, mid-cycle" and "thin shell, mid-cycle." These results confirm ISM1's status as a potential candidate gene associated with the shell strength trait in chicken eggs.

Keywords: hens, egg, shell, expression, Isthmin-1, ISM1

Acknowledgments: the work was performed in accordance to the plan of research works for 2024-2026 L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry (No. FGGN -2024-0015).

For citation: Romanenkova OS, Kostyunina OV, Aleynikova OV. Analysis of ISM1 gene expression in laying hens with different shell quality. Animal Husbandry and Fodder Production. 2026;109(3):80-94. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.33284/2658-3135-109-3-80

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Information about the authors:

            Olga S Romanenkova, Cand. Sci. (Biology), researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Farm Animals, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, cell: +7(4967)651102.

            Olga V Kostyunina, Dr. Sci. (Biology), Leading Researcher, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Farm Animals, Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Farm Animals, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, tel.: +7(4967)651102.

            Olga V Aleynikova, Cand. Sci. (Biology), researcher, Laboratory of biological problems of animal reproduction, Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member LK Ernst, 60 Dubrovitsy village, Podolsk City district, Moscow region, 142132, cell: +7(4967)651102.

The article was submitted 20.03.2026; approved after reviewing 02.06.2026; accepted for publication 14.09.2026.

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