Association of Sequence Variants in the CKM (Creatine Kinase, M-Type) Gene with Racing Performance of Homing Pigeons

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the associations between SNPs in the creatine kinase gene (CKM) and racing performance of homing pigeons. A 468-base pairs fragment of the CKM gene (a part of exon 11 and 3'UTR) was amplified. Five PCR products were sequenced. Two substitutions in the amplified region were observed (g.588268 T>C and g.588285 T>C). PCR-RFLP method was used to genotype 123 racing pigeons (CKM/Hpy188I and CKM/BsrDI) for the further association analysis. The frequencies of genotypes analyzed were: CKM/Hpy188I CC -0.008, CKM/Hpy188I CT -0.057, CKM/Hpy188I TT -0.935 and CKM/BsrDI CC -0.008, CKM/BsrDI CT -0.016, CKM/BsrDI TT -0.976. The effect of one SNP studied on racing performance of pigeons was statistically significant. The largest difference in ace points (APs) was found for CKM/BsrDI (g.588285 T>C). Individuals with the CC and CT genotypes had lower racing performance than TT ones. The differences between CC and TT pigeons were statistically significant (p = 0.0391). Thus, racing pigeons with the most common genotypes (TT) had better racing performance than individuals with minor allele in genotype. However, the observation of an individual with CC genotype in the CKM/Hpy188I with the highest APs in two seasons studied complicates the final conclusion. Based on the obtained results, it may be concluded that two SNPs in the CKM detected in this study were not the major determinant of racing performance in sport pigeons.

Genetic Association of LDHA Variant g.2582481G>A with Racing Performance of Pakistani Pigeons

“…LDHA gene variant g.2582481G>A showed substantial association with pigeon racing performance in Columba livia and considered as the highest contributing factor in worldwide pigeons population (7, 9). In the current research, we investigated the genetic association of the same variant in Pakistani pigeon population which showed the significant association in conformity to the global pigeon population.…”

“…Out of which, the 7 th intronic region of LDHA contains the highly associated marker g.2582481G>A which is significantly linked with pigeon's flight performance. The mutant allele of this variant enhances the enzymatic activity of LDHA causing actively conversion of lactate into pyruvate (9). Without its accumulation in muscles, there are less chances of fatigue causing the increase in pigeon flight and stamina.…”

Application potential of chicken DNA chip in domestic pigeon species – Preliminary results

“…Pigeons are a good quality, high biological value meat source with high biological value and a high recoverable meat ratio (70%) ( Omojola et al, 2012 ), and appear on the market as a special quality, premium product ( Bagi and Kusza, 2014 , Jilly, 2018 ). Pigeon racing is popular and economically significant in many countries around the world ( Proskura et al, 2014 , Dybus et al, 2018 , Dybus et al, 2020 , Chang et al, 2021 ). The appearance of a group of customers with special needs and/or awareness is also increasingly important worldwide, those who want to consume more easily digestible types of meat, or those who take into account the ecological footprint of meat production (e.g.…”

“…Previously, various genetic markers have been successfully used to explore genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships, and to identify polymorphisms associated with competitive performance and meat production in the domestic pigeon, which has been effective in expanding our knowledge of the species ( Bigi et al, 2016 , Boer et al, 2019 , Dementieva et al, 2021 , Dybus et al, 2006 , Dybus et al, 2018 , Dybus et al, 2020 , Jacob et al, 2015 , Boer et al, 2019 , Jędrzejczak-Silicka et al, 2019 , Lee et al, 2007 , Pacheco et al, 2020 , Proskura et al, 2015 , Ramadan et al, 2018 , Stringham et al, 2012 , Proskura et al, 2014 , Proskura et al, 2015 ). In contrast to the more advanced technologies and methods (e.g., microarrays, next-generation sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, genome-wide association studies), these provide only a limited amount of data at higher unit cost.…”

CRY1 Gene Polymorphism and Racing Performance of Homing Pigeons

“…In pigeons, polymorphic sites in selected genes were analyzed in relation with racing performance. Within the genes studied in this respect, there are, among others, genes encoding creatine kinase M-Type ( CKM ), lactate dehydrogenase A ( LDHA ), feather keratin ( F-KER ), and dopamine receptor D4 ( DRD4 ) [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. A relationship was found between g.129456C > T SNP in the DRD4 gene and pigeon racing results for short distance [ 21 ] and between g.710T > C polymorphism of the feather keratin gene and long-distance races [ 22 ].…”