Molecular Determination of the Associations between Myostatin Gene and Some Growth Traits of Rabbits

Authors : Hasan Batuhan Demircioğlu, Zeynel Cebeci

Pages : 359-366

Doi:10.47115/bsagriculture.1530496

View : 102 | Download : 103

Publication Date : 2025-05-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study investigates the myostatin (MSTN) gene polymorphisms and their associations with some growth traits in New Zealand white rabbits. A substitution from cytosine (C) to thymine (T) was observed at base position 847 in the second intron region of the gene, and the genotypes TT and CT were attained only. Genotype frequencies were calculated as 47% for TT and 53% for CT, while allele frequencies were determined as 74% for T and 26% for C. The genotype was found to be not in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (χ²=7.27, P<0.01). The research revealed that the significant associations of MSTN gene polymorphism on some growth traits such as live weight, shoulder-to-tail length, front leg length, and chest circumference. Rabbits belongs to the TT genotype were found to have significantly higher live weight and front leg length compared to rabbits with the CT genotype, while rabbits with the CT genotype were found to be longer in shoulder-to-tail length and chest circumference compared to rabbits with the TT genotype. No statistically significant differences were found among the genotypes for other growth traits such as neck-to-shoulder length, hind leg length, and ear length. These findings suggest that MSTN gene polymorphism may influence certain growth traits in rabbits, and the observed genotypic differences, especially in traits such as live weight, shoulder-to-tail length, front leg length, and chest circumference, should be considered in genetic breeding programs. The findings of this study contributes to better understanding of the potential of MSTN gene polymorphisms in rabbit breeding programs.
Keywords : Myostatin, Candidate gene, Polymorphism, Rabbit, Growth traits

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