Exploring polymorphism's impact on layer production traits: A deep dive into association studies and candidate genes in Kadaknath

Abstract

This investigation aimed to study the polymorphism and association of important egg production linked candidate genes and layer performances in Kadaknath. The Genomic DNA samples were obtained from blood of 112 birds that were chosen at random. RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of three candidate genes viz., cGH, MTNR1C and VIPR-1 was determined using SacI, MboI and HhaI restriction enzymes, respectively. The alleles were separated on 2 % AGE and their molecular sizes were estimated.Two out of the three genes studied i.e. cGH and MTNR1C showed polymorphism however VIPR-1 revealed monomorphic patterns. The different genotypes obtained were then associated with layer performance traits using least-squares analysis of variance. The cGH/SacI genotype was found to have a substantial impact on egg production up to 40 weeks (EP40) and age at sexual maturity (ASM) via association analysis. The cGH gene's AC genotype was linked to the lowest ASM (192.41 ± 11.84 days) and greatest EP40 (36.72 ± 8.86). The EP40 was also affected significantly by MTNR1C/MboI genotypes and birds with AA genotype attained higher body weight at 20 weeks (BW20) and had the highest EP40 (49.29 ± 6.84). The findings suggest that the markers identified can be used in Marker Assisted Selection primarily to select Kadaknath birds for higher BW20 (p ≤ 0.05) and may be used to select birds for lower ASM and higher EP40 with relatively lower level of significance (p ≤ 0.15). It emphasizes on adapting candidate gene PCR-RFLP genotype based selection for faster genetic improvement in layer economic traits of Kadaknath.