R. N. Chatterjee

Gene Expression and Polymorphism of Myostatin Gene and its Association with Growth Traits in Chicken

ABSTRACT Myostatin is a member of TGF-β super family and is directly involved in regulation of body growth through limiting muscular growth. A study was carried out in three chicken lines to identify the polymorphism in the coding region of the myostatin gene through SSCP and DNA sequencing. A total of 12 haplotypes were observed in myostatin coding region of chicken. Significant associations between haplogroups with body weight at day 1, 14, 28, and 42 days, and carcass traits at 42 days were observed across the lines. It is concluded that the coding region of myostatin gene was polymorphic, with varied levels of expression among lines and had significant effects on growth traits. The expression of MSTN gene varied during embryonic and post hatch development stage.

Activin receptor 2A and activin receptor 2B genes in chicken: effect on carcass traits

ABSTRACT Carcass traits are of immense importance in chicken as some parts of the carcass particularly breast muscle and legs are mostly preferred by the consumers with good market price while the remaining parts have a lower price. Carcass traits primarily depend on the growth of the birds, which are controlled by the candidate genes. Activin receptor type 2A and 2B act as receptors for binding with the members of transforming growth factor superfamily like myostatin to expedite its biological functions. We analysed exon2 and exon4 of activin receptor type 2A and 2B genes in six chicken populations. Both the genes revealed the presence of four haplotypes in these chicken populations. Association studies revealed a significant effect of genotypes and haplotypes on certain carcass traits such as carcass weight, dressing %, back and neck weight, giblet weights, etc. It is concluded that the exons of ACVR2A and ACVR2B genes were polymorphic and potentially associated with certain carcass traits in chicken.

Role and Present Status of Biotechnology in Augmenting Poultry Productivity in India

India although has achieved self sufficiency in food grains, it has to solve the problems of protein-energy malnutrition for millions of people. Presently, poultry industry has emerged as a big hope, which can meet not only the protein requirement to millions but can provide employment and thereby, livelihood security. India is the 3rd largest producer of eggs and holds 5th position in poultry meat production in the world. Developments like emergence of molecular markers, structural and functional genomics, bioinformatics etc. in the field of the biotechnology have provided ample opportunity to peep into the molecular architecture of the individual birds. Improvement of poultry birds all together can be achieved through conventional breeding approach, but amalgamation of conventional and molecular approach can generate further improvement of birds in sustainable manners, which in turn augment productivity of the poultry very rapidly and efficiently bypassing the impact of climate change being faced by the whole world today.