FOR 2601:  Inositol phosphates and myo-inositol in the domestic fowl: Exploring the interface of genetics, physiology, microbiome, and nutrition

• Subject Area: Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 322916021

Our overall objective is to explore and understand the genetic and non-genetic variations in the formation of inositol phosphate derivatives and myo-inositol by endogenous phytases, as well as their relevance for phosphorus utilization, microbiome, and animal physiology in the fowl. In this Research Unit we test three overarching hypotheses: 1.) phosphorus (P) utilization is driven by the bird’s genetic background and the active fraction of the intestinal microbiome, enabling targeted breeding for improved P utilization; 2.) changes in microbiome, depending on age and feeding, contribute to formation of inositol phosphates and myo-inositol and subsequent physiological and immunological functions; 3.) key physiological features can be identified to scale up the phenotyping of inositol phosphate and myo-inositol metabolism in larger populations. We use laying hens and Japanese quail as the animal models. In the laying hen experiments, we consider the age of the hens, their genetic background, and variations in dietary calcium (Ca) and P concentration as the experimental factors. We investigate phytic acid degradation products and phytase activity in the digestive tract, characterize the hen’s genetic background and the microbiota composition, study absorption and systemic effects of myo-inositol and their interrelationship with different mitochondrial haplotypes, other epithelial functions and smooth muscle contractility, and modulations of the gut-associated and systemic immune system. In the quail studies, samples of intestinal digesta and tissues from birds belonging to a well-defined family structure are investigated for relationships between P utilization and the intestinal microbiota. The data set, together with data obtained in preliminary work, is utilized in comprehensive QTL linkage and association analyses of P utilization, and investigated for functional putative candidate genes. The proposed Research Unit offers the unique opportunity to perform all these studies with the same animals of well-defined genetic background, and integrated bioinformatics analysis of all data.

• DFG Programme: Research Units

Projects

• Alimentary myo-inositol and low phosphate in two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains: role of alpha-Klotho/fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) (Applicant Föller, Michael )
• Characterizing endocrine and transcriptional determinants of P utilization mediated by the environment-host-microbiota interaction in laying hens and quails (Applicant Wimmers, Klaus )
• Coordination Funds (Applicant Rodehutscord, Markus )
• Epigenetics, molecular pathways, and data integration to derive biological networks related to myo-inositol and P utilisation in two contrasting highyielding laying hen strains (Applicant Wimmers, Siriluck )
• Functional signals and hologenomic selection for P utilisation and related efficiency traits in two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains (Applicant Bennewitz, Jörn )
• Microbial and host myo-inositol usage in the gastrointestinal tract of laying hens (Applicants Camarinha Silva, Amelia ;  Seifert, Jana )
• Mitochondrial haplotypes and phenotypes in laying hens (Applicant Hasselmann, Martin )
• Myo-inositol and its role in metabolic regulation of two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains (Applicant Huber, Korinna )
• Myo-inositol and low-P supply effects on intestinal processes of InsP6 degradation, absorption, and P utilisation in two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains (Applicant Rodehutscord, Markus )
• The influence of the microbiome and their metabolites towards epithelial functions and smooth muscle contractility in regards to InsP6 degradation (Applicant Seifert, Jana )

• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Markus Rodehutscord