Enhanced Expression of Serotonin Receptor 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2C is Associated with Increased Feather Damage in Dongxiang Blue-Shelled Layers

The gene encoding the serotonin receptor 5-hydroxytraptamine 2C (HTR2C) has been implicated in behavioral phenotypes in a number of species. In previous studies, a mutation in the chicken HTR2C gene was found to be associated with feather condition, thereby suggesting a relationship between the gene and receiving feather pecking activity. The present study analyzed the chicken HTR2C gene at both the genomic make-up and expression level in Dongxiang blue-shelled layer. A significant association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs13640917 (C/T) and feather condition was confirmed in the Chinese local layer. Enhanced HTR2C gene expression (151.1-fold) that was associated with high feather damage indicated that the right cerebrum might be the critical region for HTR2C to participate in the regulation of receiving feather pecking behavior.