Relative mRNA expression of cellular retinol-binding protein IV gene in various tissues of Rhode Island Red chicken

Cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) IV plays an important role in absorption, transport, homeostasis and excretion of retinol (vitamin A) and its active derivative for embryo development. In oviparous vertebrates, vitamin A plays vital role in reproductive performance. Variation in CRBP-IV expression may have varied functional roles. Present investigation was carried out to assess relative mRNA expression of CRBP IV gene in kidney, liver and oviduct tissues of Rhode Island Red (RIR) chicken, collected from 12 birds, randomly chosen at 40 weeks of age, from four different egg production-body weight groups, viz., high egg production-high body weight (HEP-HBW), high egg production-low body weight (HEP-LBW), low egg production-high body weight (LEP-HBW) and low egg production-low body weight (LEP-LBW). CRBP-IV gene expression and its relative expression was quantified by qRT-PCR and by 2(—HCt) method, respectively. In kidney, expression of CRBP IV gene was 2029.16 folds higher in LEP-LBW, followed by HEP-HBW (79.83 folds), and LEP-HBW (6.38 folds) groups against the HEP-LBW. In liver, CRBP IV gene was expressed 10.85 folds more in HEP-LBW group, followed by 9.22 and 2.08 folds in HEP-HBW and LEP-HBW groups against LEP-LBW. In Oviduct, the CRBP IV gene was expressed 29.28 folds more in HEP-LBW group, followed by 12.39 and 4.19 folds more in HEP-HBW and LEP-HBW groups against LEP-LBW. The study generated significant information about fold changes in basal mRNA expression of CRBP IV gene in various tissues which may be useful in selection for higher productivity of chicken.