VARIABILITY OF SELECTED GENES IN RELATION TO THE PARAMETERS OF BONES IN LAYING HENS: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to screen potential key genes associated with osteoporosis in laying hens. We performed association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms of selected genes encoding non-collagenous proteins (IBSP, SPP1, FN1, MEPE, DCN, THBS2) with parameters of bones in a group of ISA Brown laying hens. The surveyed parameters were bone breaking strength, length, width and bone mass. In this pilot study, nineteen samples for genes encoding non-collagenous proteins were tested. The polymorphisms were detected using PCR method and sequencing. Seven polymorphisms have been discovered in genes encoding non-collagenous proteins in the genes FN1 (c.7413A>G, c.7440+57G>A, c.7440+105G>A, c.7441-71T>C), DCN (c.158C>T) and SPP1 (c.362+117G>C, c.363-88G>C), of which two of these polymorphisms were synonymous and five were in the intron. Despite the position of the found polymorphisms, no association with the mechanical parameters of the bones were found.