Collecting SAXS data under numerous of experimental conditions. Our detailed analysis of the SAXS data are supplemented by both AUC and MALS data, hence providing a confirmation of the existence of different oligomeric states. From the SAXS data it is possible to link the observations between high concentrations of Pi and enzymatic activity, with the existence of tetramers in solution. Both protein concentration and the presence of inorganic phosphate directly influences the distribution of different oligomeric states in solution, and thus the enzymatic activity. We hence have provided extensive structural analysis of a highly complex enzymatic system, exhibiting a combination of both structural flexibility and oligomeric development. The chicken has unique features for basic studies of developmental processes such as organogenesis, so it is an excellent animal model for studies of vertebrate developmental biology. Under natural condition, domestic laying hens start to lay eggs after reaching sexual maturity at about 5 months of age, and the laying hen then produces an egg on 90% or more of the days in her first year of laying eggs. As the hen ages, the egg production rate progressively decreases and the hen naturally undergoes annual period of molting at the end of each laying cycle. Molting is a phenomenon that includes renewal of old GANT61 feathers with new feathers and an associated complete remodeling of the reproductive system. During this process, the reproductive organs undergo regression and rejuvenation, and then recovery in preparation for a new egg laying cycle. Artificially induced molting is an effective tool in commercial poultry farming for improving the rate of egg production and quality of eggs as it renews the hen��s laying cycle. The removal of feed has been used most frequently in commercial poultry farms to induced molting in hens; however, this practice has come under criticism from animal welfare advocacy groups. Furthermore, molting through feed withdrawal leads to greater susceptibility of hens to salmonella infection as compared to that for laying hens. GSK1120212 Therefore, several alternative methods for inducing molting without starvation have been developed. These include feeding diets deficient in an essential nutrient or modifying the diet by feeding low levels of calcium or high levels of zinc. Among these, the practice of feeding a diet high in zinc has received the most attention as it is easy to practice, post-molt performance of laying hens is acceptable and there is not an increase in susceptibility to infection by Salmonella enteritidis. The majority of previous studies investigating molting process and associated changes in the chicken oviduct have been comparative studies of physiological changes focused on phenomena only during the period of regression of the oviduct. Therefore, relatively little is known about mechanisms regulating remodeling of the oviduct after cessation 
of egg production during the molting process or recrudescence of the oviduct following the molting period. Moreover, little is known about genome-based mechanisms responsible for the regenerative ability of the reproductive tract in laying hens following molting and tissue remodeling. Therefore, the present study was designed to discover novel genes and pathways underlying molecular mechanisms for tissue remodeling of the oviduct of laying hens following a high zinc diet-induced molting period. A better appreciation of reproductive tissue remodeling is crucial to understanding the overall genetic and molecular mechanism for both regression and regeneration of the avian female reproductive organs. Actually, most female reproductive organs undergo repetitive morphological changes according to programmed processes associated with menstrual and estrous cycles and molting process involving ovarian and reproductive tract tissues.