The rate of weight gain and productivity of chicken broiler cross with various polymorphic types of myostatin gene

The search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the myostatin gene is a promising direction of research as this gene is involved in the development of important biological and productive traits in chicken. Using PCR-RFLP technique, an analysis of allele and genotype frequencies in Cornish chicken breed of G5 line of Smena-8 cross has been conducted. Two pairs of primers allowing PCR product to be obtained in the myostatin gene have been used. Two single nucleotide substitutions on exon 1 of the myostatin gene have been under investigation: G/A in MST2109 and G/С in MST2244. A signifiant predominance of deoxynucleotide G in MST2244 over C and deoxynucleotide A over G in MST2109 has been observed. Differences in productive traits between genotypes in MST2109 were not detected. Analysis of allelic variability by MST2244 locus showed statistically significant differences in live weight at the age of 7 days between CC and G2G2 genotypes (p < 0.01), CG2 and G2G2 (p < 0.05). G2G2 individuals (203.52 g) were significantly heavier than CC (179.5 g) and CG2 (193.95 g) chickens at the age of 7 days. Statistically significant differences between the CC and G2G2 genotypes in live weight at the age of 33 days have been revealed (p < 0.05). Thus, this research has led to a better understanding of allele frequencies in the myostatin gene in line G5 of Cornish breed. The results obtained will allow particular myostatin gene-based genotypes to be taken into account for accelerating the breeding process in the broiler poultry industry.

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