Associations Between IGF1, IGFBP2 and TGFß3 Genes Polymorphisms and Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken Lines

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The main goal of breeding programs for broiler chickens is to increase growth rate and breast and thigh muscles weight. The candidate gene approach is a powerful technique for genetically improving performance traits in chickens. We studied the associations of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of three genes involved in protein synthesis, glucose metabolism and cell proliferation (IGF1, IGFBP2, TGFβ3) with performance traits in the Hubbard F15 and Cobb E chicken lines. Based on our results, it can be concluded that the TGFβ3 gene could be used as a candidate gene marker for chicken growth traits. ABSTRACT: Marker-assisted selection based on fast and accurate molecular analysis of individual genes is considered an acceptable tool in the speed-up of the genetic improvement of production performance in chickens. The objective of this study was to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IGF1, IGFBP2 and TGFß3 genes, and to investigate their associations with growth performance (body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of age) and carcass traits in broilers. Performance (carcass) data (weight before slaughter; weights of the trunk, giblets, abdominal fat, breast muscle and thigh muscle; slaughter value and slaughter percentage), as well as blood samples for DNA extraction and SNP analysis, were obtained from 97 chickens belonging to two different lines (Hubbard F15 and Cobb E) equally divided between the two sexes. The genotypes were detected using polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods with specific primers and restrictase for each gene. The statistical analysis discovered significant associations (p < 0.05) between the TGFβ3 SNP and the following parameters: BW at 21, 28 and 35 days, trunk weight and slaughter value. Association analysis of BWs (at 21, 28 and 35 days) and SNPs was always significant for codominant, dominant and overdominant genetic models, showing a possible path for genomic selection in these chicken lines. Slaughter value was significant for codominant, recessive and overdominant patterns, whereas other carcass traits were not influenced by SNPs. Based on the results of this study, we suggested that the TGFβ3 gene could be used as a candidate gene marker for chicken growth traits in the Hubbard F15 and Cobb E population selection programs, whereas for carcass traits further investigation is needed.