The genetic basis and robustness of naked neck mutation in chicken

Chicken is a homeothermic animal; consequently, regardless of fluctuation in weather conditions, it maintains constant body temperature. However, in hot regions and seasons, chickens suffer from heat stress. To dissipate excess heat, besides modifying the environment, which is costly, however, chickens with efficient heat dissipation capacity might be utilized. Naked neck chickens have a higher capacity for heat loss attributable to reduced feather mass. The naked neck mutation (Na) was originated from a large insertion (~ 180 bp) integrated ~ 260-kb downstream of a protein-coding gene-GDF7 (Growth Differentiation Factor 7). Na possesses a cis-regulatory function and upregulates the expression of GDF7-a gene that exhibits a tissue-specific effect by the sensitizing action of retinoic acid. Na suppresses the development of feathers in the neck and vent. Na shows autosomal incomplete dominance and regulates several developmental processes. Na usually segregates at low frequency, which might be attributed to limited socio-cultural preferences. Specifically, in hot and humid regions, although to a varying extent, Na enhances performance, immunocompetence, and resilience to disease both in the homozygous and heterozygous state. Occasionally, naked neck chickens (especially the homozygous ones) lose comparative advantage in cool environments. Homozygous Na also results in high embryo death and reduced hatchability and diminishes floating and flying capacity. Nevertheless, selective breeding of naked neck chickens for fertility traits enhances the performance and welfare of chickens in hot and humid regions. The comparative advantage of Na needs to be studied not only from a temperature perspective and under controlled experiment but also from humidity, body weight, feed intake (absolute and relative to body weight), age, agroecology insights, and under field condition. Due to the incomplete dominant expression pattern of Na, studies need to separately report their findings for homozygous and heterozygous naked neck chicken.