Investigation of the HGF, GAB1 genes polymorphisms association with meat productivity of the «Smena 9» broiler chickens

Abstract

Relevance . The Article presents a study of the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the HGF and GAB1 genes with meat productivity traits in broiler chickens of the «Smena 9» cross. The HGF gene is localized on chromosome 1 and encodes the hepatocyte growth factor involved in the regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation.  The GAB1 gene, located on chromosome 4, encodes the docking protein of the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, which play a key role in cell growth and myogenesis. Methodology . The object of the study was broiler chickens of the «Smena 9» cross, raised up to 42 days. Genotyping was performed by RT-PCR using allele-specific probes. The frequencies of the genotypes have been established for the rs313956452 locus of the HGF gene: AA — 0,33; AG — 0,55; GG — 0,12. For the rs313780029 locus of the GAB1 gene, the genotype frequencies were distributed as follows: TT — 0,60; TC — 0.30; CC — 0.10. Results . Productivity analysis showed that the AA genotype according to HGF is associated with a higher live weight on days 35–42 in chickens and on days 28–42 in roosters (p < 0.05), with a tendency to increase the output of the pectoral and femoral muscles. According to the GAB1 gene, carriers of the CC genotype were found to outperform individuals with the TC genotype in terms of body weight in the early growing periods.The results obtained confirm the breeding significance of the AA genotype of the HGF gene and the C allele of the GAB1 gene and demonstrate the prospects for their use in markerassociated breeding programs.