Fig. 2.

Validation of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RT-PCR (n = 8). a Comparison (fold change) of the RNA-Seq data of LP group relative to PP group. b Individual variability of validated DGEs in RT-PCR between the PP and LP groups. LP, laying hens in the late phase of production; PP, laying hens in the peak phase of production. Values are means and standard deviations represented by vertical bars. Significance of RT-PCR data was set at P < 0.05, while significance of RNA-seq data was set at false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05