Association Analysis Between Polymorphism of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Genes and Growth Traits of Quail (Coturnix Coturnix)

Abstract

This study investigated SNP mutation sites of Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) gene in China yellow quail, Beijing white quail and Korean quail through PCR amplification and DNA sequencing technologies. Moreover, polymorphism of GnRH gene and its association with growth traits of quail were analyzed, aiming to get molecular markers associated to growth traits of quail, which could provide references for breeding of new quail species. According to research results, a total of 14 SNP mutation sites of GnRH were detected in China yellow quail, Beijing white quail and Korean quail, which were C71T,

Research Note: Polymorphisms of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone gene and their association with growth traits in quail (Coturnix Coturnix)

“…A583T, C591T, and A592G sites were significantly associated with BW, SL, CW, BBL, and BL at 5 wk of age in SV, and individuals with the heterozygous mutation genotype of 3 sites had significantly higher BW, CW, BBL, and BL, and individuals with the wild genotype of 3 sites had higher SL ( P < 0.05). Similar to this study, a previous study in 3 strains of egg quail showed that 13 SNPs of the GnRH gene was significantly associated with growth traits ( Bai et al, 2021 ). This finding indicates that 8 SNPs of the GnRH gene may affect growth traits and could be used as novel molecular marker to in SV and FG strains in quail.…”

“…The reaction conditions were as follows: initial denaturation at 94°C for 5 min, followed by 30 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, annealing for 59°C for 30 s, extension at 72°C for 1 min, and a final extension at 72°C for 10 min. The reaction system was stored under 4°C ( Bai et al, 2021 ). The PCR products of the GnRH gene were sent to Beijing Qingke biological Co., Ltd. for sequencing.…”

“…Quails are widely raised due to low feeding cost, high nutritional value, high reproductive ability, and economic benefits ( Bai et al, 2021 ). However, improvement growth trait remains a key concern for quail breeding.…”

“…Growth traits such as body weight ( BW ), chest width ( CW ), chest depth ( CD ), shank length ( SL ), average daily gain ( ADG ), and shank circumference ( SC ) have habitually been used in the selection principle of poultry breeding since they are moderate to high heritable and are genetically associated with growth traits. The GnRH gene as one of the vital candidate genes was significantly related to major economic traits such as quail growth and carcass ( Bai et al, 2021 ). Identification of single nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP ) in candidate genes and its correlation with economic traits in animals was a powerful method to identify new genetic markers to more accurately select animals to improve growth performance ( Bhattacharya et al, 2019 ; Shafey et al, 2020 ; Valencia et al, 2022 ).…”

“… Wang et al (2020) have proven that SNPs of the GnRH gene have a significant correlation with sperm quality traits of Chinese water buffalo. Bai et al (2021) purported that the SNPs of the GnRH gene were significantly associated with growth traits in egg quail. Polymorphisms of the GnRH gene are quite different among different species.…”