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Polymorphisms of the prolactin gene and their association with egg production traits in two Chinese domestic ducks |
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| Authors: | D.-P. Bai Y.-Q. Hu Y.-B. Li Z.-B. Huang |
| Affiliation: | 1. College of Animal Sciences, Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China;2. Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Wuhan, China;3. Fujian Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Fuzhou, China |
| Abstract: | 1. Prolactin (PRL) as a polypeptide hormone which plays a crucial role in egg production traits. 2. Polymorphisms of the PRL gene were analysed with DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism methods in two Chinese domestic laying duck breeds (Jinding, n = 400, Youxian, n = 400, respectively). 3. The results showed that one polymorphism was detected (A-412G) in intron 1 of the PRL gene, with three genotypes: AA, AG and GG. Association analysis showed that the ducks with the GG genotype had significantly greater egg production and egg weight than those with AG and AA genotype (p < 0.05). Hence, the 412A > G polymorphism of the PRL gene in intron 1 is a potentially valuable genetic marker for laying duck breeding programmes. |
| Keywords: | Duck egg production traits PCR-SSCP polymorphisms Prolactin |