Meat Quality Traits In Chickens Research Articles

Genome-wide association studies of meat quality traits in chickens: a review

Genome-wide association studies of meat quality traits in chickens: a review

Telomere Length, Apoptotic, and Inflammatory Genes: Novel Biomarkers of Gastrointestinal Tract Pathology and Meat Quality Traits in Chickens under Chronic Stress (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Simple SummaryThe assessment of poultry’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract and meat quality traits are crucial for sustainable poultry production in the tropics. The search for well-conserved and more reliable biomarkers for the GI tract and meat traits has faced many challenges. In this study, we observed the effect of corticosterone (CORT) and age on body weight, buffy coat telomere length, GI tract, and meat quality traits. The critical evaluation of the GI tract and meat traits in this study revealed that telomere length, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes were altered by chronic stress and were associated with the traits. This study informed us of the potential of telomere length, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes in the assessment of GI tract pathological conditions and meat quality in the poultry sector for sustainable production.This study was designed to examine the potentials of telomere length, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes as novel biomarkers of gastrointestinal (GI) tract pathologies and meat quality traits. Chickens were fed a diet containing corticosterone (CORT) for 4 weeks and records on body weight, telomere length, GI tract and muscle histopathological test, meat quality traits, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes were obtained at weeks 4 and 6 of age. The body weight of CORT-fed chickens was significantly suppressed (p < 0.05). CORT significantly altered the GI tract and meat quality traits. The interaction effect of CORT and age on body weight, duodenum and ileum crypt depth, pH, and meat color was significant (p < 0.05). CORT significantly (p < 0.05) shortened buffy coat telomere length. UCP3 and COX6A1 were diversely and significantly expressed in the muscle, liver, and heart of the CORT-fed chicken. Significant expression of SAAL1 and CRP in the liver and hypothalamus of the CORT-fed chickens was observed at week 4 and 6. Therefore, telomere lengths, mitochondria, and acute phase protein genes could be used as novel biomarkers for GI tract pathologies and meat quality traits.

Effect of dietary red grape pomace on growth performance, hematology, serum biochemistry, and meat quality parameters in Hy-line Silver Brown cockerels.

Red grape (Vitis vinifera L.) pomace’s (RGP) beneficial bioactive compounds could improve growth and meat quality traits in chickens and thus valorize RGP waste that is usually disposed in landfills to the detriment of the environment. This study investigated the effect of RGP inclusion in diets of Hy-line Silver Brown cockerels on physiological and meat quality responses. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated by mixing a standard grower diet with RGP at 0 (G0), 15 (G15), 30 (G30), 45 (G45) and 60 g/kg (G60). A total of 250, 5-week-old cockerels (304.6 ± 6.57 g live-weight) were evenly allocated to 25 pens replicated 5 times per experimental diet. No linear and quadratic trends (P > 0.05) were observed for overall feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and meat quality traits as dietary RGP levels increased. Erythrocytes linearly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin and urea linearly increased (P < 0.05) with RGP levels. There were significant quadratic effects for glucose, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, and cholesterol, from which a maximum RGP inclusion level was calculated to be 43 g/kg. In conclusion, dietary red grape pomace had no adverse effect on physiological parameters and meat quality traits of Hy-line Silver Brown cockerels. However, including red grape pomace beyond 43 g/kg could compromise serum biochemical parameters of the birds.

Chronological Expression of PITX2 and SIX1 Genes and the Association between Their Polymorphisms and Chicken Meat Quality Traits.

Simple SummaryThe production of chickens plays an increasingly important role in people’s daily life because of the high nutritional quality and relatively low cost. Meanwhile, with the improvement of living standards, the requirements for meat quality have also increased significantly. Thus, the improvement of meat quality is becoming more and more important in chicken breeding. Studies have shown that meat quality is closely related to the development of skeletal muscle, which is a complex process regulated by many genes. Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) and SIX homeobox 1 (SIX1) genes are involved in skeletal muscle development, and their polymorphisms were significantly associated with the carcass and body size traits of chickens in our previous studies. The objective of the present study was to detect the chronological expression of them on the pectoral muscles, and evaluate whether their single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the meat quality traits in chickens. Our results could provide useful information for the functional research of regulatory mechanisms of meat quality and marker assisted-selection for chicken production and quality.Meat quality is closely related to the development of skeletal muscle, in which PITX2 and SIX1 genes play important regulatory roles. The present study firstly provided the data of chronological expression files of PITX2 and SIX1 genes in the post-hatching pectoral muscle and analyzed the association of their polymorphisms with the meat quality traits of Wuliang Mountain Black-bone (WLMB) chickens. The results showed that both PITX2 and SIX1 genes were weakly expressed in the second and third weeks, and then increased significantly from the third week to the fourth week. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between the expression levels of the two genes. Twelve and one SNPs were detected in the chicken PITX2 and SIX1 genes, respectively, of which four SNPs (g.9830C > T, g.10073C > T, g.13335G > A, g.13726A > G) of the PITX2 gene and one SNP (g.564G > A) of the SIX1 gene were significantly associated with chicken meat quality traits. For the PITX2 gene, chickens with the CT genotype of g.9830C > T showed the highest meat color L*, shear force (SF), pH, and the lowest electrical conductivity (EC), and drip loss (DL) (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01); chickens with the CC genotype of g.10073C > T had the lowest L*, pH, and the highest DL (p < 0.01). For the SIX1 gene, chickens with the GG genotype of g.564G > A had the highest (p < 0.05) SF and pH. Furthermore, pH had a significant correlation with all the other meat quality traits. The current study could contribute to the research of regulatory mechanisms of meat quality and lay the foundation for improving meat quality based on marker-assisted selection in chickens.

Investigation of the CEBPA gene expression pattern and association analysis of its polymorphisms with meat quality traits in chickens

Meat quality is closely related to the fat deposition which is regulated by a cascade of transcription factors. As a transcription factor, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) is considered as one of the key molecules regulating adipogenesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to detect the expression pattern of the CEBPA gene and evaluate whether its single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with the meat quality traits in Wuliang Mountain Black-bone (WLMB) chickens. The results showed that the chicken CEBPA mRNA was widely expressed in the 11 tissues, and the expression pattern of it might be tissue- and time-specific different. The locus of g.74C > G was not significantly associated with chicken meat quality. For the locus of g.552G > A, chickens with the GG genotype showed higher pH (p < 0.01), lower drip loss (p < 0.01) and higher intramuscular fat (p < 0.05) than those with other genotypes. It suggested that polymorphisms of the CEBPA gene were significantly associated with the meat quality traits of WLMB chickens. The results of this study contribute to the functional research of the CEBPA gene and lay the foundation for improving meat quality based on the marker-assisted selection in chickens.

MiRNA\u2013mRNA network regulation in the skeletal muscle fiber phenotype of chickens revealed by integrated analysis of miRNAome and transcriptome

Skeletal muscle fibers are primarily categorized into oxidative and glycolytic fibers, and the ratios of different myofiber types are important factors in determining livestock meat quality. However, the molecular mechanism for determining muscle fiber types in chickens was hardly understood. In this study, we used RNA sequencing to systematically compare mRNA and microRNA transcriptomes of the oxidative muscle sartorius (SART) and glycolytic muscle pectoralis major (PMM) of Chinese Qingyuan partridge chickens. Among the 44,705 identified mRNAs in the two types of muscles, 3,457 exhibited significantly different expression patterns, including 2,364 up-regulated and 1,093 down-regulated mRNAs in the SART. A total of 698 chicken miRNAs were identified, including 189 novel miRNAs, among which 67 differentially expressed miRNAs containing 42 up-regulated and 25 down-regulated miRNAs in the SART were identified. Furthermore, function enrichment showed that the differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs were involved in energy metabolism, muscle contraction, and calcium, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), insulin and adipocytokine signaling. Using miRNA-mRNA integrated analysis, we identified several candidate miRNA-gene pairs that might affect muscle fiber performance, viz, gga-miR-499-5p/SOX6 and gga-miR-196-5p/CALM1, which were supported by target validation using the dual-luciferase reporter system. This study revealed a mass of candidate genes and miRNAs involved in muscle fiber type determination, which might help understand the molecular mechanism underlying meat quality traits in chickens.

Effects of Slaughter Age on Muscle Characteristics and Meat Quality Traits of Da-Heng Meat Type Birds.

Simple SummaryThe current work evaluated the breast muscle performance, meat quality traits, and myofiber characteristics of Da-Heng meat type birds with 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 days of age. Older chickens often presented a higher pH, lower drip loss, higher shear force, darker, and redder breast meat. The correlation coefficients showed that myofiber characteristics played an important role in breast pH values, drip loss, and meat color.Due to the increasing demand for producing chickens with high meat quality, there is a need to determine its mode of action on chicken meat quality traits across a wider age spectrum. In this study, five groups of 200 male Da-Heng meat type birds were reared until slaughter age of 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 days old and breast muscle performance, meat quality traits, and myofiber characteristics were evaluated. The larger body weight and breast weight of chicken are based on larger myofiber diameter and area, less myofiber density for the older birds than younger birds. There was an age effect on all meat quality traits of chicken breast muscle (p < 0.05). Older chickens often presented a higher pH, lower drip loss, higher shear force, darker, and redder breast meat. The correlation coefficients showed that myofiber characteristics played an important role in breast pH values, drip loss, and meat color (p < 0.05). Besides, significant correlations were also found between meat quality traits (p < 0.05). Further studies are needed to explore the biochemical character and potential molecular mechanism of chicken breast muscle to determine the factors that causes these age-related differences in meat quality in the current study.

Expression analysis, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the Myoz1 gene and their association with carcase and meat quality traits in chickens

Previous studies reported that the Myoz1 gene plays a crucial role in signal transduction and muscle fibre type differentiation. This finding suggests that the Myoz1 gene is a potential candidate for affecting carcase and meat quality traits in animals. Therefore, this study aimed to detect genetic variations in Avian and Yellow Bantam chickens and to evaluate the effects of these variations on economically important carcase and meat-quality traits. Expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR indicated that Myoz1 was broadly expressed in all four studied tissues (liver, heart, breast muscle and leg muscle). Expression of Myoz1 was significantly higher in both leg muscle and breast muscle compared to the liver and heart. Then, using direct sequencing, a total of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified within the Myoz1 gene in two breeds of chickens. These breeds included three non-synonymous SNPs (SNP1: g. 16022512 G > T, SNP3: g. 16022560 C > T and SNP5: g.16023903 A > G) corresponding to A103S, H119Y and S189G, respectively. Statistical analyses indicated that SNP2 (g. 16022529 T > C), SNP3, SNP4 (g.16023878 A > C) and SNP5 significantly influenced some carcase and meat quality traits. Meanwhile, we did not find any association between the constructed haplotype and carcase traits in the Avian nor Yellow Bantam chickens. In conclusion, SNPs in the Myoz1 gene could be used for marker-assisted selection in chicken breeding.

Molecular Cloning, Expression Profiling, and Marker Validation of the Chicken Myoz3 Gene.

Myozenin3 (Myoz3) has been reported to bind multiple Z-disc proteins and hence play a key role in signal transduction and muscle fiber type differentiation. The purpose of current study is to better understand the basic characteristics of Myoz3. Firstly, we cloned the ORF (open reading frame) of the Myoz3 gene. AA (amino acid) sequence analysis revealed that the Myoz3 gene encodes a 26 kDa protein which have 97% identities with that of turkey. Expression profiling showed that Myoz3 mRNA is mainly expressed in leg muscle and breast muscle. Furthermore, we investigated Myoz3 gene polymorphisms in two broiler breeds, the Yellow Bantam (YB) and the Avian. Five SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were identified in the YB breed and 3 were identified in the Avian breed. Genotypes and haplotype were constructed and their associations with carcass traits were analyzed. In the YB breed, c.516 C>T had a strong effect on both shank bone length and the value of breast muscle, and the H1H3 diplotype had the highest FC compared to other diplotypes. The markers identified in this study may serve as useful targets for the marker-assisted selection (MAS) of growth and meat quality traits in chickens.

QTL analyses of general compound, color, and pH traits in breast and thigh muscles in Korean native chicken

Meat quality is one important selection criterium to consumers. In Asian countries, demands for native chicken breeds with better meat quality-related traits are increasing. In this study, 13 meat quality related traits in Korean native chicken were collected to identify QTLs that could affect the traits. A total of 20 novel QTLs, including 6 for general meat compounds (GC), 7 for the meat color (MC), and 7 for pH were identified. Significant QTLs (i.e., 1% chromosome wide significance) for crude protein contents in thigh and breast muscles were identified. Other QTLs were also identified with suggestive significance levels (i.e., 5% level of chromosome wide significance). Results presented here could provide useful information to find causal variants to improve meat quality traits in chicken.

Genome-wide association study of meat quality traits in chicken.

Meat quality traits are very important in the poultry industry. To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate genes affecting meat quality traits, a genome-wide association study was performed using the Illumina chicken 60K SNP beadchip in Jinghai yellow chicken. Four meat quality traits were measured. Two SNPs reached 5% Bonferroni genome-wide significance (P < 1.8E-6) and 7 SNPs reached "suggestive" genome-wide significance (P < 3.59E-6) with meat quality. These SNPs were located nearby or in 7 candidate genes, including CBLN2, HPGDS, SETD2, and ANKRD46, among others. A total of 5650 haplotpyes were established and only 1 was found to be associated with fat content in leg muscle. These results indicate that the 9 SNPs and 7 genes are important candidate markers and may influence meat quality traits in chicken.

The identification of 14 new genes for meat quality traits in chicken using a genome-wide association study

BackgroundMeat quality is an important economic trait in chickens. To identify loci and genes associated with meat quality traits, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of F2 populations derived from a local Chinese breed (Beijing-You chickens) and a commercial fast-growing broiler line (Cobb-Vantress).ResultsIn the present study, 33 association signals were detected from the compressed mixed linear model (MLM) for 10 meat quality traits: dry matter in breast muscle (DMBr), dry matter in thigh muscle (DMTh), intramuscular fat content in breast muscle (IMFBr), meat color lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values, skin color L*, a* (redness) and b* values, abdominal fat weight (AbFW) and AbFW as a percentage of eviscerated weight (AbFP). Relative expressions of candidate genes identified near significant signals were compared using samples of chickens with High and Low phenotypic values. A total of 14 genes associated with IMFBr, meat color L*, AbFW, and AbFP, were differentially expressed between the High and Low phenotypic groups. These genes are, therefore, prospective candidate genes for meat quality traits: protein tyrosine kinase (TYRO3) and microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) for IMFBr; collagen, type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2) for meat color L*; and RET proto-oncogene (RET), natriuretic peptide B (NPPB) and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) for the abdominal fat (AbF) traits.ConclusionsBased on the association signals and differential expression of nearby genes, 14 candidate loci and genes for IMFBr, meat L* and b* values, and AbF are identified. The results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying meat quality traits in chickens.

Molecular cloning and SNP association analysis of chicken PMCH gene

The pre-melanin-concentrating hormone (PMCH) gene is an important gene functionally concerning the regulations of body fat content, feeding behavior and energy balance. In this study, the full-length cDNA of chicken PMCH gene was amplified by SMART RACE method. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PMCH gene were screened by comparative sequence analysis. The obtained non-synonymous coding SNPs (ncSNPs) were designed for genotyping firstly. Its effects on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were investigated employing the F2 resource population of Gushi chicken crossed with Anak broiler by AluI CRS-PCR-RFLP. Our results indicated that the cDNA of chicken PMCH shared 67.25 and 66.47% homology with that of human and bovine PMCH, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of chicken PMCH (163 amino acids) were 52.07 and 50.89% identical to those of human and bovine PMCH, respectively. The PMCH protein sequence is predicted to have several functional domains, including pro-MCH, CSP, IL7, XPGI and some low complexity sequence. It has 8 phosphorylation sites and no signal peptide sequence. gga-miR-18a, gga-miR-18b, gga-miR-499 microRNA targeting site was predicted in the 3' untranslated region of chicken PMCH mRNA. In addition, a total of seven SNPs including an ncSNP and a synonymous coding SNP, were identified in the PMCH gene. The ncSNP c.81 A>T was found to be in moderate polymorphic state (polymorphic index=0.365), and the frequencies for genotype AA, AB and BB were 0.3648, 0.4682 and 0.1670, respectively. Significant associations between the locus and shear force of breast and leg were observed. This polymorphic site may serve as a useful target for the marker assisted selection of the growth and meat quality traits in chicken.

Polymorphisms in FGFBP1 and FGFBP2 genes associated with carcass and meat quality traits in chickens

In the past, the focus of broiler breeding programs on yield and carcass traits improvement led to problems related to meat quality. Awareness of public concern for quality resulted in inclusion of meat quality traits in the evaluation process. Nevertheless, few genes associated with meat quality attributes are known. Previous studies mapped quantitative trait loci for weight at 35 and 42 days in a region of GGA4 flanked by the microsatellite markers, MCW0240 and LEI0063. In this region, there are 2 fibroblast growth factor binding protein (FGFBP) genes that play an important role in embryogenesis, cellular differentiation, and proliferation in chickens. The objective of this study was to identify and associate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FGFBP1 and FGFBP2 with performance, carcass, and meat quality in experimental and commercial chicken populations. In the commercial population, SNP g.2014G>A in FGFBP1 was associated with decreased carcass weight (P < 0.05), and SNP g.651G>A in FGFBP2 was associated with thawing loss and meat redness content (P < 0.05). Four haplotypes were constructed based on 2 SNPs and were associated with breast weight, thawing loss, and meat redness content. The diplotypes were associated with thawing loss, lightness, and redness content. The SNPs evaluated in the present study may be used as markers in poultry breeding programs to aid in improving growth and meat quality traits.

Identification and association of polymorphisms in CAPN1 and CAPN3 candidate genes related to performance and meat quality traits in chickens

Meat quality is an important feature for the poultry industry and is associated with consumer satisfaction. The calpain 1 (CAPN1) gene is related to the tenderness process of meat post- mortem, and the calpain 3 (CAPN3) gene plays an important role in myofibrillar organization and growth. The objective of the present study was to identify polymorphisms in these genes and to determine the association between these polymorphisms and traits of economic interest in poultry. Eleven animals (F₁) from an experimental poultry population at Embrapa Swine and Poultry were used to identify the polymorphisms. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in the CAPN1 gene, and one SNP was found in the CAPN3 gene. A polymorphism from each gene was selected for genotyping in 152 chickens from the Embrapa F₂ experimental population and 311 chickens from a commercial population. Polymorphism g.2554T>C (CAPN1) was associated with body weight at 35 to 42 days, thigh weight, breast weight, carcass weight, and meat lightness content. SNP g.15486C>T (CAPN3) was associated with thigh yield, thawing-cooking loss, and shear force. Results suggest the possibility of using molecular markers in CAPN1 and CAPN3 genes as a tool for performance and meat quality traits in poultry breeding programs.

Analysis of the Genetic Effects of Three Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms on Inosine Monophosphate Content in Chinese Baier Chicken

The genes GPAT/AIRC and purH are involved in the de novo purine biosynthesis; they all had genetic effect on muscle inosine monophosphate (IMP) content in chicken. This study was designed to investigate the effects of three single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed in GPAT/AIRC and purH genes on muscle IMP content in a relative large population of Chinese Baier chickens, single genotype effects as well as the epistatic effects were analysed. The results further showed that GPAT/AIRC and purH genes had effect on muscle IMP content, they might be candidate loci or linked to major genes that affect muscle IMP content; the epistatic effects were higher than the single genotype effects. Furthermore, the effects were strengthened when combining more gene loci. We tentatively conclude that combined genotypes are superior to single genotypes as potential molecular markers for meat quality traits in chicken.

Proteomic Analysis of Tenderness Trait in Thai Native and Commercial Broiler Chicken Muscles

The objective of this study was to identify protein markers for tenderness trait of Thai native and commercial broiler chicken muscles. The proteome of chicken muscle with highand low-shear force values was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/MS technique. A total of 169 and 158 protein spots were observed in Thai native and commercial broiler chicken muscles, respectively. Of these proteins, five protein spots were upand down-regulated with low shear force values of chicken meat. Selected three protein spots were identified and showed homology with pyruvate kinase 2 muscle (PKM2), phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) and triosephosphate isomerase 1 (TPI1) of chicken. The PKM2 and TPI1 were correlated with shear force values of chicken meats. Whereas, the PGAM1, B46 and B107 trended toward an association with shear force values. The results indicate that these enzymes of the glycolytic pathway play a major role in the energy metabolism process of muscle and meat characteristics. These findings promote the importance of the muscle metabolic enzymes and could be used as functional candidate genes for meat quality traits in chicken.

Relationships Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the H-FABP Gene and Slaughter and Meat Quality Traits in Chicken

Using PCR-SSCP with five primer pairs, we detected six single nucleotide polymorphisms of the H-FABP gene: 332G --> A, 534G --> A, 783C --> T, 835C --> T, 1198T --> C, and 2329C --> T. Chi-square results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in genotype frequency among breeds in Fragment 1 and extremely significant differences (P < 0.01) in Fragments 2-4. We found a significant association between Fragment 2 genotype and muscle fiber number, Arg and Thr (P < 0.05); between Fragment 3 genotype and living weight, carcass weight, breast muscle weight, abdominal fat weight, and abdominal fat percentage (P < 0.05); between Fragment 4 genotype and Thr, Phe, and inosinic acid (P < 0.05). It was concluded that H-FABP was the major gene influencing slaughter performance and meat quality or was linked with the major gene in these strains and that the C783T mutation could be used as a candidate molecular genetic marker for breeding selection. The combination M1C2-B2B2-D1D1 is an ideal model for breeding in these strains because it can improve slaughter and meat quality traits.

Study on Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of MC3R and MC4R Genes with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Chicken

Body composition, fat deposition and meat quality are important traits in chickens. Melanocortin receptor (MCR) plays an important role in central melanocortin system (CMS) and muscle cells. The purpose of the present study was to analyze association of the MC3R and the MC4R genes with chicken carcass and meat quality traits. Using eight meat-type chicken populations constructed with 5 pure lines (developed from Chinese local breeds) and 3 crossbreeds (S01×D99, S01×S05, S01×S10), the association of 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP: MC3R-A1424G, MC4R-G923T and MC4R-C944T) of MC3R and MC4R gene with carcass and meat quality traits was studied. The results showed as follows: (1) the MC3R-A1424G genotypes were significantly associated with most carcass traits except for semi-eviscerated percentage and leg muscle percentage (LMP), the MC4R-G923T genotypes were significantly associated with live weight, carcass weight, leg muscle weight (LMW) and LMP, and the MC4R-C944T genotypes were not significantly associated with most carcass traits except for LMW and LMP; (2) to meat quality, the MC3R-A1424G genotypes significantly affected muscle crude protein (GP) value, and the allele A had positive additive effects on slaughter traits. The MC4R-G923T and the MC4R-C944T sites significantly affected muscle GP value and glutamic acid (Glu) value; (3) the haplotypes based on the 2 SNP of MC4R gene were also significantly associated with meat quality traits, but had no significant associations with carcass traits. The research built the base for further analysis on relation between genetic variation of MC3R and MC4R genes and the carcass and meat quality traits, and molecular marker's application in breeding.

Association and Haplotype Analysis of purH Gene with Inosine Monophosphate Content in Chickens

The current study was designed to investigate the effects of the purH gene on chicken muscle inosine monophosphate (IMP) content. Muscle IMP content was measured in five chicken breeds. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. Two SNPs were detected, A/T substitution at position 8023 in exon 9, and T/C substitution at position 17446 in exon 16. The results indicated that only T17446C polymorphism was associated with IMP content. The haplotype effect was higher than the single genotype effect. We tentatively conclude that purH gene is a candidate locus or linked to a major gene that affects muscle IMP content. Haplotypes are superior to single genotypes as potential molecular markers for meat quality traits in chicken.