Associations of genetic variations in the OCX-32 gene with egg production traits in Korean native chickens

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to find out novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and to analyze the association between SNPs of OCX-32 gene and egg production traits, in the four Korean native chicken breeds (Ogol, black, gray, and white). Twenty-one variations (16 SNPs and 5 INDELs) in the intronic region of the OCX-32 gene were detected, including new 9 variants (1500T > A, 1504A > G, 1658A > G, 1668A > T, 1821A > C, 1234 del A, ins CTT, ins TTC, and 1681 del T) in the chicken population (n=120). Fifteen variations (1346A > G, 1373G > A, 1399T > C, 1446C > G, 1500T > A, 1504A > G, 1522G > A, 1530T > A, 1563G > A, 1668A > T, 1743G > T, 1772T > A, 1821A > C, ins TTC, and ins TCT) showed significant association with egg production ratio, weight and age in the chickens. Conclusively, the result obtained suggested that SNPs and INDELs of the OCX-32 gene might be useful as genetic markers for egg production traits in breeding program of the Korean native chicken.