研究実績
2026
2.
Yi-Chen Chen, Shuo-Wen Hsu, Eisuke Shimokita, Tatsuya Takemoto
Eye pigmentation–based in-ovo chicken sexing via precision breeding Journal Article
In: Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., vol. 14, 2026, ISSN: 2296-4185.
Abstract | Links | タグ: Takemoto G
@article{Chen2026,
title = {Eye pigmentation–based in-ovo chicken sexing via precision breeding},
author = {Yi-Chen Chen and Shuo-Wen Hsu and Eisuke Shimokita and Tatsuya Takemoto},
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2026.1785893},
issn = {2296-4185},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-04-01},
urldate = {2026-04-01},
journal = {Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.},
volume = {14},
publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
abstract = {The systematic culling of male layer chicks raises ethical concerns, leading to bans in Germany and other European countries and spurring the search for reliable in-ovo sexing methods. Most existing strategies rely on integration of exogenous DNA or are limited to specific chicken strains, and none meet commercial requirements. Here, we present a broadly applicable in-ovo sexing method that avoids exogenous DNA integration. We developed precision-bred chickens with targeted disruption of the Z-linked SLC45A2 gene, which encodes a transporter essential for pigmentation. Hemizygous knockout females (ZW; SLC45A2KO/W) exhibited eye depigmentation at embryonic day 7 (E7), whereas heterozygous knockout males (ZZ; SLC45A2KO/+) retained normal pigmentation. This clear visual dimorphism enables accurate sexing by routine egg candling. Fertility and reproductive performance of knockouts were comparable to wild-type chickens, and genotyping confirmed 100% prediction accuracy. Unlike many current technologies, our approach requires no complex instrumentation and allows early detection during incubation. This work provides a practical and ethical solution to chick sexing, with significant advantages for commercial hatcheries. More broadly, this study illustrates the potential of precision breeding to address pressing animal welfare concerns in the modern poultry industry.},
keywords = {Takemoto G},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The systematic culling of male layer chicks raises ethical concerns, leading to bans in Germany and other European countries and spurring the search for reliable in-ovo sexing methods. Most existing strategies rely on integration of exogenous DNA or are limited to specific chicken strains, and none meet commercial requirements. Here, we present a broadly applicable in-ovo sexing method that avoids exogenous DNA integration. We developed precision-bred chickens with targeted disruption of the Z-linked SLC45A2 gene, which encodes a transporter essential for pigmentation. Hemizygous knockout females (ZW; SLC45A2KO/W) exhibited eye depigmentation at embryonic day 7 (E7), whereas heterozygous knockout males (ZZ; SLC45A2KO/+) retained normal pigmentation. This clear visual dimorphism enables accurate sexing by routine egg candling. Fertility and reproductive performance of knockouts were comparable to wild-type chickens, and genotyping confirmed 100% prediction accuracy. Unlike many current technologies, our approach requires no complex instrumentation and allows early detection during incubation. This work provides a practical and ethical solution to chick sexing, with significant advantages for commercial hatcheries. More broadly, this study illustrates the potential of precision breeding to address pressing animal welfare concerns in the modern poultry industry.
2025
1.
Shinichi Hayashi, Hitomi Suzuki, Shinji Takada, Tatsuya Takemoto
Wnt3a is an early regulator of the Wolffian duct directionality via the regulation of apicobasal cell polarity Journal Article
In: Developmental Biology, vol. 511, pp. 136-142, 2025, ISSN: 0012-1606.
Abstract | Links | タグ: Takemoto G
@article{Hayashi2025,
title = {Wnt3a is an early regulator of the Wolffian duct directionality via the regulation of apicobasal cell polarity},
author = {Shinichi Hayashi and Hitomi Suzuki and Shinji Takada and Tatsuya Takemoto},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012160625000776},
doi = {10.1016/j.ydbio.2025.03.015},
issn = {0012-1606},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-03-27},
journal = {Developmental Biology},
volume = {511},
pages = {136-142},
publisher = {Elsevier BV},
abstract = {The Wolffian duct is a pair of epithelial ductal structures along the body axis that induces nephron development by interaction with the metanephric mesenchyme. The interaction between the mesenchyme and the ureteric bud derived from the Wolffian duct is mediated by Wnt ligands, the loss of which results in kidney agenesis. Nonetheless, the early contribution of Wnt signaling to Wolffian duct formation remains unclear. We therefore examined these dynamics in knockout and transgenic mouse embryos. The Wnt signal reporter was active in the extending Wolffian duct, and Wnt3a-knockout embryos exhibited a fragmented and misdirectional Wolffian duct. Apicobasal polarity was disrupted under Wnt3a-deficiency. These findings suggest that Wnt3a plays an important role in Wolffian duct development by regulating apicobasal polarity.},
keywords = {Takemoto G},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Wolffian duct is a pair of epithelial ductal structures along the body axis that induces nephron development by interaction with the metanephric mesenchyme. The interaction between the mesenchyme and the ureteric bud derived from the Wolffian duct is mediated by Wnt ligands, the loss of which results in kidney agenesis. Nonetheless, the early contribution of Wnt signaling to Wolffian duct formation remains unclear. We therefore examined these dynamics in knockout and transgenic mouse embryos. The Wnt signal reporter was active in the extending Wolffian duct, and Wnt3a-knockout embryos exhibited a fragmented and misdirectional Wolffian duct. Apicobasal polarity was disrupted under Wnt3a-deficiency. These findings suggest that Wnt3a plays an important role in Wolffian duct development by regulating apicobasal polarity.
