title: Polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor β3 gene and their associations with feed efficiency in chickens.
abstract: Growth and feeding traits such as BW, BW gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) are of economic importance in poultry production. In this study, 8 SNP of the transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) gene, which are located in the proximity of quantitative trait loci affecting BW and FCR, were selected to be genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in 2 yellow meat-type chicken populations with 724 birds in total. Body weights at 49 (BW49) and 70 (BW70) d of age and FI in the interval were recorded, and respective BWG and FCR were calculated for each bird. Two SNP with a very low minor allele frequency (<1%) were discarded from further analysis. The results showed that both rs13586818 and rs14535174 had significant effects (P < 0.05) on BWG and FCR, and that rs14535177 was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with BW49, BW70, and FI. Furthermore, birds with the GA genotype of rs13586818 showed strongly higher FCR and lower BWG (P < 0.05) compared with AA individuals. The TT birds had significantly larger BWG (P < 0.05) than GT birds in rs14535174, whereas FCR was the opposite. Individuals with the GC genotype of rs14535177 had significantly higher BW49, BW70, FCR, and FI (P < 0.05) than those with the GG genotype. Additionally, haplotypes based on 3 SNP of rs13586818, rs14535174, and rs14535177 were significantly associated with FCR (P < 0.05). The SNP and analyzed haplotypes identified in this study might be used as potential genetic markers in meat-type chicken breeding.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Sihua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Sirui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Huifeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Dexiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Congliang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Guiyun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3