The Relationship Between Body Weight and Growth Hormone Gene Polymorphism in Indigenous Turkeys of Nigeria
Mercy O. Oso *
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and School of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Ohio, USA.
Mabel O. Akinyemi
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria and Biological Sciences Department, Fairleigh Dickson University, Florham Campus, NJ 07940, USA.
Osamede H. Osaiyuwu
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Olarenwaju B. Morenikeji
Division of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Bradford, USA.
Oluwatobi E. Fijabi
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Michael O. Adeosun
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ibilola A. Shobanke
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Kayode M. Ewuola
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Temidayo E. Koledafe
Department of Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Oluwaseyi E. Oso
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, Babcock University, Nigeria.
Geofrey I. Nwokorie
Department of Animal Science, Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The candidate gene approach is a valuable tool for improving breeding programs, particularly in poultry, by identifying traits for enhanced production performance. This study investigates the growth hormone (GH) gene as a potential determinant of body weight in Nigerian indigenous turkeys. DNA was extracted from 60 twelve-week-old turkeys using blood samples, and a 466bp DNA fragment was amplified via PCR with primers designed from chicken sequences. The PCR product underwent Msp1 restriction enzyme digestion and was visualized on a 1.5% agarose gel. Genotypes associated with body weight were assessed using a General Linear Model. The GH/Msp1 locus revealed Two alleles (A and G) and three genotypes (AA, AG, and GG), with allele G being predominant. Genotype AG had the highest frequency (0.55), followed by AA (0.42), and GG had the lowest frequency (0.03). However, the least square means analysis showed that the polymorphism in the GH gene of the studied population was not significantly associated with body weight (p> 0.05). Nonetheless, the polymorphic nature of the GH gene in Nigerian turkeys suggests potential for further exploration in quantitative traits.
Keywords: Polymorphism, PCR-RFLP, Growth Hormone gene (GH), Nigerian indigenous turkey, body weight