Polymorphism in dopamine receptor D4 gene is associated with pigeon racing performance.

Abstract

Sequencing and genotyping: Sequencing of PCR products (Table S1) covering the complete exon 3 and parts of introns 2 and 3 from the DRD4 gene revealed four SNPs: the intronic g.129954C>T (ss1751581452), two missense mutations g.129562A>C (p.Arg139Ser; ss1751581453) and g.129456C>T (p.Leu175Phe; ss1751581455) and the synonymous g.129484T>C (ss1751581454). The last one was not further considered. The study involved 123 racing pigeons derived from two unrelated pigeon flocks. SNP g.129562A>C and SNP g.129456C>T were in complete linkage disequilibrium, and only the latter was considered in association analyses. The frequencies of SNPs and of combined genotypes of the DRD4 gene are presented in Table S2.