Table 4_Stage-specific transcriptional atlas of goose satellite cells uncovers sex-biased molecular dynamics associated with embryonic skeletal muscle development.xlsx

At E13, female-biased DEGs were enriched for positional identity genes (HOXC9/C11, HOXD12/13) and pro-proliferative factors (GDF7, FGF16), whereas male-biased DEGs included adhesion molecules (IGSF10/11). At E15, females upregulated genes linked to myofiber maturation (ACTA1, MYH7B) and lipid metabolism (PLIN1, ADIPOQ), while males showed enrichment in extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP7, COL17A1) and immune-related pathways.

At E18, females enhanced neuroendocrine signaling (ADCYAP1, AGTR2), whereas males upregulated contractile apparatus components (RYR1, CASQ1) and testis-associated transcripts (BRDT, DHH). By E23, females exhibited signatures of metabolic and neuromuscular optimization, whereas males showed enrichment in extracellular matrix genes (COL11A2, COL9A1/2) and masculinization-associated factors (YBX2, GGN). Temporal pathway analysis demonstrated a progression from immune/chemokine processes at E13, through cytoskeletal organization at E15 and supramolecular fiber components at E18, to DNA metabolism coupled with chemokine signaling at E23.

Protein-protein interaction network analysis pinpointed stage-specific hub genes: EGFR (E13), ACTA1/ADIPOQ (E15), RAC2 (E18), and GNG10 (E23). Quantitative PCR validated eight selected DEGs.</p>Discussion<p>Collectively, this transcriptional atlas delineates sex-biased molecular dynamics that operate within the Zhedong White goose SMSC pool in the absence of conspicuous histological differences, and provides a foundational gene resource for prioritizing mechanistic investigations into sexually dimorphic muscle development, focusing specifically on the embryonic leg muscles.</p>