Genomic growth hormone gene polymorphisms in native Chinese chickens

Chicken growth hormone (cGH), a polypeptide hormone synthesized in and secreted by the pituitary gland, is involved in a wide variety of physiological functions such as growth, body composition, egg production, aging, and reproduction. Chicken growth hormone polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with certain phenotypes. Our objective is to investigate the GH gene polymorphism in selected strains of native Chinese chickens. Yellow Wai Chow GH gene was characterized by sequencing and was found to have one silent substitution, 31 insertions, and other substitutions spread among the introns. In addition, a novel Mspl site has been identified and characterized in the first intron. Allele frequencies of the intron 1 polymorphism were characterized among 28 populations of native Chinese chickens. Thus, polymorphism of the cGH gene may be useful in phylogenetic analysis, as well as in the design of breeding programs.