Correlation analysis of relationships between polymorphisms of high quality chicken gene and slaughter and meat quality traits

Abstract

In this study, PCR-SSCP technique was designed to investigate the effect of the myogenin (MyoG) gene on quality of chicken meat (developed by Sichuan Dahen Poultry Breeding Company using local breeds). Four mutations at base position in the promoter region were detected among individuals in each line, i.e. T/C in locus A, and T/A, T/C and A/G in locus B. Least squares analysis showed that there was a significant difference between genotype and breast muscle percentage and some carcass traits (P < 0.05) for locus A. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in breast muscle weight between AC, AA and AB genotypes; a significant difference (P < 0.05) in leg muscle percentage between CC and AC for locus B, and an extremely significant difference (P < 0.01) in the frequency of genotype muscle fiber density for both locus A and locus B. Nonsignificant difference (P > 0.05) was detected in the other traits. It was concluded that the MyoG gene is the major gene affecting the muscle fiber traits of chicken or it links with the candidate gene, and the mutation can be used as the molecular genetic marker to select the chickens for meat quality traits.

Keywords

chicken / MyoG gene / PCR-SSCP / carcass traits / meat traits / correlation analysis