Association of novel polymorphisms of forkhead box L2 and growth differentiation factor-9 genes with egg production traits in local Chinese Dagu hens. (9th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qin, N.; Liu, Q.; Zhang, Y. Y.; Fan, X. C.; Xu, X. X.; Lv, Z. C.; Wei, M. L.; Jing, Y.; Mu, F.; Xu, R. F.
• Is Part Of: Poultry science. Volume 94:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2015-01-09
• Subjects: Chinese Dagu hens -- egg production traits -- polymorphisms -- FOXL2 -- GDF9; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 636.5005
• DOI: 10.3382/ps/peu023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5791

Abstract

Abstract : Transcription factor forkhead box L2 ( FOXL2 ) and growth differentiation factor-9 ( GDF9 ) genes have critical roles in the regulation of hen ovarian development. In the present study, these genes were explored as possible molecular markers associated with BW, hen-housed egg production, and egg weight in Chinese Dagu hens. Samples were analyzed using the PCR–single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique followed by sequencing analysis, and two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within these candidate genes. Among them, an A/G transition at base position 238 in the coding region of the FOXL2 gene and a G/T transversion at base position 1609 in exon 2 of the GDF9 gene were found to be polymorphic and named SNPs A238G and G1609T, respectively. The SNP A238G ( FOXL2 ) leads to a nonsynonymous substitution (isoleucine77-to-valine), and when the 360 Dagu hen samples were divided into genotypes AA and AB, allele A was found to be present at a higher frequency. Furthermore, the AA genotype correlated with significantly higher hen-housed egg production at 30, 43, 57, and 66 wk of age and with a higher egg weight at 43 wk ( P < 0.05). For the SNP G1609T ( GDF9 ), the hens were typed into TT and TC genotypes, with the T allele shown to be dominant. The TC genotype was also markedly correlated with higher hen-housed egg production and a higher egg weight ( P < 0.05). Moreover, four haplotypes were reconstructed based on these two SNPs, with the AATC haplotype found to be correlated with the highest hen-housed egg production at 30 to 66 wk of age and with higher egg weights at 43 wk ( P < 0.05). Collectively, the two SNPs identified in this study might be used as possible genetic molecular markers to aid in the improvement of egg production traits in chicken breeding.