Polymorphism of the myostatin gene and its association with growth traits in chicken.

An experiment was carried out on myostatin gene with the objectives of identification of polymorphism in the myostatin gene and estimation of the effect of polymorphism on growth traits in chickens. Single-stranded conformation polymorphism followed by sequencing was performed to reveal polymorphism of the gene. A total of 13 haplotypes were observed across 3 chicken lines (PB-1 and CB as broiler lines and IWI as the layer line). Myostatin haplogroups had a significant effect on BW at 28, 42, and 49 d of age in the PB-1 line. The significant association of haplogroups was observed with BW at d 14 and 49 in the CB line. In the IWI layer line, the myostatin gene was polymorphic but had no significant association with growth traits. It is concluded that the myostatin gene was polymorphic and had a significant effect on growth traits in broiler chickens.