POU class 1 homeobox 1 gene polymorphisms associated with growth traits in Korean native chicken.

OBJECTIVE

POU class 1 homeobox 1 () mediates growth hormone expression and activity by altering transcription, eventually resulting in growth rate variations. Therefore, we aimed to identify chicken polymorphisms and evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and growth-related traits, and logistic growth curve parameter traits (, , and ).

METHODS

Three SNPs ( to ) were used to genotype 585 F and 88 F birds from five Korean native chicken lines using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

Single marker analyses and traits association analyses showed that was significantly associated with body weight at two weeks, weight gain from hatch to 2 weeks, and weight gain from 16 to 18 weeks (p<0.05). was significantly associated with weight gain from 14 to 16 weeks and from 16 to 18 weeks, and asymptotic body weight (α) (p<0.05). No traits were associated with . The haplogroups were significantly associated with weight gain from 14 to 16 weeks (p = 0.020). Linkage disequilibrium test and Haploview analysis shown one main haploblock between and SNP.

CONCLUSION

Thus, significantly affects the growth of Korean native chickens and their growth curve traits.