A Novel Polymorphism of VLDLR Signal Peptide Coding Region and Its Association with Growth and Abdominal Fat Traits of Gaoyou Domestic Ducks

Abstract

The VLDLR gene plays important roles in the growth and adiposity in humans and mice. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between VLDLR gene genetic polymorphisms and growth and abdominal fat traits of the Gaoyou domestic duck. A total of 267 Gaoyou ducks were employed for testing. A 18bp deletion was identified in VLDLR signal peptide coding region. The results of χ 2 test suggested that the genotype frequencies of VLDLR signal peptide coding region were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Least squares analysis showed that body weight (BW) of -18bp/-18bp genotype ducks was significantly higher than those of other genotypes from six (BW6) (p<0.05) to ten weeks of age (BW10) (p<0.01). The association analysis was performed taken body weight as covariant for abdominal percentage (AFP). Results showed that there was not interaction between genotype (p>0.05) and body weight for AFP and different genotypes had a significant effect on AFP (p<0.05). The results of Bonferroni t-test revealed that the abdominal fat percentage (AFP) of -18bp/-18bp genotype was significantly lower than those of +18bp/-18bp (p<0.05). Preliminary studies have shown that VLDLR may be a candidate gene for the selection for growth and abdominal fat, and the results of the present study indicate that VLDLR strongly influences carcass abdominal fat content of Gaoyou ducks.

Effects of different rearing systems on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and serum biochemical parameters in Gaoyou ducks

“…It is highly regarded for its adaptability, resistance to roughage and being good at diving (Chen et al 2010). Moreover, it not only shows fast growth, good meat quality and a high egg production rate, but is also well-known for its good production of double-yolk eggs (or even three yolks; Ming-liang et al 2017;Zhang et al 2021). The average bodyweight (BW) of the Gaoyou ducks is approximately 2.5 kg at 70 days old (Zhu et al 2017;Shu et al 2019).…”