Polymorphism at exon 1 of pit-1 gene and its association with immunocompetence traits in layer chicken

A study was designed to explore genetic variability of partial promoter and exon 1 of pit-1 gene and its effect on immune competence traits in White Leghorn chicken. Single stranded conformation polymorphism technique followed by sequencing was employed to detect polymorphism of the gene. Three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were observed in White Leghorn chicken where two alleles (A and B) were found. AB genotype and A allele were predominant in the population. Different demographic parameters estimated in the White Leghorn chicken lines indicated the presence of genetic divergence among the lines. The pit-1 mRNA expression varied among the genotypes where genotype BB expressed higher than genotype AA and AB. The genotypes as well as alleles showed significant effect (P < 0.05) on sheep RBC titre in White Leghorn chicken.