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Genetic Analysis of Signaling Genes for Affects on Egg Production in the Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus)
Author(s) -
Flack Brenda R.,
Hyde Carrie,
Rhoads Douglas
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.lb21
Subject(s) - biology , allele , quantitative trait locus , candidate gene , genetics , genotype , locus (genetics) , gene , hormone receptor , cancer , breast cancer
We are screening for genetic variants of hormone and receptor genes that contribute to diversity in egg production in the female broiler chicken (Gallus gallus). Years of intensive selection for growth characteristic have resulted in defects in reproductive performance including reduction in total number of eggs laid. We obtained blood samples and total egg data for three elite commercial broiler lines. We analyzed approximately 80 to 200 hens from each line using microsatellite loci from the chromosomal locus of several candidate genes. Genes selected are known to be involved in signaling for ovary function: Follicle Stimulating Hormone Beta subunit (FSHâ) and receptor (FSHR), Luteinizing Hormone Receptor (LHR), Insulin‐like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1) and receptor (IGF1R), Anti‐Mûllerian Hormone (AMH), and Prolactin (PL). Genotypes were determined and analyzed for allele and genotype frequencies. Our results show that particular haplotypes (alleles) of the regions of FSHR and PL are statistically disproportionate with respect to egg production representing potential Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) for this trait. QTL effects are highly dependent on the line analyzed. Our genetic data suggests that egg production could be increased in selected lines by including these loci.