Research note: Detection of IGF2BP2 gene polymorphism associated with growth and reproduction traits of pigeon.

The Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) gene is closely associated with the diseases, fat deposition, and growth and reproduction traits in animals. Investigations into the relationship between the IGF2BP2 gene polymorphism and growth and reproduction traits provide valuable breeding information for enhancing productivity and economic gains in pigeon. In this study, the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 exons and the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the IGF2BP2 gene in 292 female pigeons Tianxiang 1 strain were detected through Sanger sequencing, and their association with pigeons' growth and reproduction traits were explored. As a result, a total of 15 SNPs were identified in exons and 3'UTR of the IGF2BP2 gene, and the SNP of the g.2314208C>T in exon 5 was significantly associated with egg laying interval, the SNPs of both g.2306425C>T and g.2306415C>T, and g.2306411C>G in 3'UTR were markedly related to body weight and chest width, respectively. And the SNP of the g.2306515G>T in 3'UTR was remarkably correlated with both body weight and chest width. Furthermore, these 15 SNPs were found to form two haplotype combinations. The haplotype block 1 showed a significant link to body weight and chest depth, and the haplotype block 2 was strikingly correlated with body weight, shank length, shank circumference, keel length, body length and egg number. The findings demonstrated that the IGF2BP2 gene's SNPs may serve as a potential molecular marker to improve pigeons performance and lay the foundation for molecular marker data.