Association of Dopamine D2 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms with Reproduction Traits in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia)

Dopamine inhibited prolactin secretion via dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) at the pituitary level, but its effects on reproduction in pigeons are unclear. In this study, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exons of DRD2 gene were identified and analyzed by using DNA sequencing methods in 60 female domestic pigeons (Columba livia), and the association between DRD2 polymorphisms and reproduction traits was also analyzed. Sequencing results showed that 7 nucleotide mutations were detected in the exon 1, 4, and 6 regions of DRD2 gene. The analysis revealed three genotypes (AA, AB, and BB) in exon 4 and two genotypes (AA, AB) in exon 6, in which the AA genotype was consistently dominant, and the A allele showed a dominant advantage. The C4532T genotypes located in exon 6 of DRD2 gene were significantly (P<0.05) associated with reproductive traits of pigeon. Moreover, the individuals with AB genotype had significantly higher fertility rate and total hatching number within 500 days of age than those with AA genotype (P<0.05). These findings suggested that the DRD2 gene should be included in future genetic studies of pigeon reproduction and the SNP of C4532T might be a potential candidate genetic marker for Marker-aid breeding in pigeon.