GENOMIC ANALYSIS OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR β2 GENE POLYMORPHISM ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN GIZA M-2 CHICKEN LINE

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) genes considered as one of the large family of multifunctional growth factors that participate in the regulation of a broad range of biological processes in chicken. The current study was conducted to determine genetic polymorphisms of TGF-β2 gene by using PCR-RFLP method in Giza M-2 line which selected for high 6week live body weight (LBW) for seven generations compared to random bred control (RBC) line. Also, the association between TGF-β2 with productive performance was evaluated for each line. Results indicated that, Giza M-2 line had higher LBW at different ages, LBW at 6 week of age (LBW6), and carcass parts weights and percentages compared to RBC line. In addition, Giza M-2 line had high TGF-β2-BB genotype frequency value (0.80) which explains the positive effects of TGF-β2 gene on LBW and carcass traits in Giza M-2 line compared to RBC line. The current result conducts the broad significant effects of TGF-β2 gene on productive performance of chickens. In addition, the association between these valuable productive traits and TGF β2 gene will effectively develop the selection process by using MarkerAssisted Selection (MAS) in Giza M-2 line breeding program in the near future.