FUNCTIONAL POLYMORPHISMS AT A CANDIDATE GENE FOR MEAT AND EGG PRODUCTION IN INDIGENOUS CHICKENS OF KENYA

Indigenous chickens provide large proportion of quality protein in human diet in terms of meat and eggs. Indigenous chicken are reared under the free range system. Commercial chickens produce much more meat and eggs; but the meat and egg quality has been affected in terms of taste, flavor and micronutrients. Indigenous chickens are largely unexploited and have ecotypes capable of producing more meat and eggs. Cross-breeding of indigenous chickens with exotic chickens to increase meat and egg production has led to genetic erosion thus loss of important production traits. This research characterized functional polymorphisms of two candidate genes associated with meat and egg production in the indigenous chicken. DNA was extracted from 96 unrelated chickens sampled from three populations not involved in the initial cross-breeding improvement program: TransNzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit and Lamu counties. The presence of Prolactin gene and Insulin growth like factor 1 gene were amplified using an optimized PCR protocol. Electrophoresis was then carried out on the PCR products on a 2% Agarose gel and the bands viewed under a UV light. The band size for prolactin gene was found to be 130bp and 154 bp while for IGF-1 gene was found to be 813 bp .These two genes were sequenced and polymorphisms identified. Prolactin gene was found to have a 24bp INDEL while IGF-1 was found to have point mutations and INDEL’s. This is the first study in Kenya to sequence production traits genes of indigenous chickens. Analysis of the production traits will be used for molecular breeding work and be adopted by the national poultry breeding programs to increase quality meat and egg production in indigenous chicken.