Association of prolactin gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with egg production traits in Vietnamese Tre chickens https://doi.org/10.12982/VIS.2027.003
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Abstract
Improving egg production in Tre chickens through conventional selection is challenging because reproductive traits are expressed late and vary among individuals. This study evaluated two prolactin gene polymorphisms, PRL_Indel and PRL_AluI, and their associations with egg production traits in a single evaluated population of 400 Tre hens monitored for 20 weeks; no independent validation population was included. Genotype, additive, dominance, and haplotype effects were analyzed using models adjusted for age and body weight at first egg. Hens reached sexual maturity at 131.7 days on average, and total egg production averaged 57.1 ± 23.1 eggs. PRL_Indel showed moderate genetic variation but was not significantly associated with the evaluated traits. In contrast, PRL_AluI was associated with total egg production, laying rate, and peak production. TT hens showed higher adjusted means than CC hens, and contrast analysis indicated a mainly additive favorable effect of the T allele. Haplotype analysis was consistent with this pattern, with the I-C haplotype showing lower egg production and laying rate than the D-T reference haplotype. These findings represent population-specific statistical associations rather than evidence of direct causality. PRL_AluI and related haplotype information may be considered candidate markers for egg production traits in Tre chickens, but validation in independent populations and functional studies are needed before routine breeding application.
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