An SNP in the MyoD1 gene intron 2 associated with growth and carcass traits in three duck populations

Biochem Genet. 2012 Dec;50(11-12):898-907. doi: 10.1007/s10528-012-9530-4. Epub 2012 Aug 8.

Abstract

Myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD1) genes belong to the MyoD gene family and play key roles in growth and muscle development. This study was designed to investigate the effects of variants in the MyoD1 gene on duck growth and carcass traits. Three duck populations (Cherry Valley, Jingjiang, and Muscovy) were sampled, their growth and carcass traits were measured, and they were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method. The results showed one novel polymorphism, an alteration in intron 2 of the MyoD1 gene (A to T). It was associated with the traits of weight at 8 weeks, carcass weight, breast muscle weight, leg muscle weight, eviscerated percentage, percentage of leg muscle weight, dressing percentage, and lean meat percentage. This alteration in intron 2 of MyoD1 may be linked with potential major loci or genes affecting some growth and carcass traits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Ducks / genetics*
  • Ducks / growth & development
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies / methods*
  • Genetics, Population / methods
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Introns*
  • Meat
  • Muscles / cytology
  • MyoD Protein / genetics*
  • MyoD Protein / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Quantitative Trait, Heritable

Substances

  • MyoD Protein
  • MyoD1 myogenic differentiation protein