Methionine promotes crop milk protein synthesis through the JAK2-STAT5 signaling during lactation of domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

Crop milk is the sole source of nutrition that sustains young pigeons (squabs) throughout growth and development. Protein accounts for approximately 55% of the nutrients in crop milk; however, its regulation mechanism remains unclear. In our study, three experiments were conducted to investigate the possible underlying mechanism of crop milk protein synthesis and nutritional interventions. Isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) analysis found that the Janus activated kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway was significantly up-regulated in breeding pigeons during lactation compared to non-breeding pigeons. Moreover, the serum prolactin (PRL) levels increased, and the protein expression of the PRL receptor (PRLR)/JAK2/STAT5 pathway was significantly up-regulated during lactation. The serum PRL, the PRLR/JAK2/STAT5 pathway, the crop milk protein synthesis, and the squab growth performance were inhibited by bromocriptine mesylate injection, a PRL-specific inhibitor. In addition, dietary supplementation with 0.30% dl-methionine or dl-methionine-dl-methionine (especially 0.30% dl-methionine-dl-methionine), significantly increased serum PRL levels and PRLR/JAK2/STAT5 activity, and improved the crop milk protein synthesis. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the PRL-induced PRLR/JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway plays a vital regulatory role in crop milk protein synthesis, and 0.30% dl-methionine-dl-methionine is superior to dl-methionine in promoting crop milk protein synthesis.