Evaluation of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism and Genetic Diversity at the Myostatin gene Locus in Indigenous and Locally Adapted Exotic Turkey breeds in Nigeria

This research was carried out to characterize single nucleotide polymorphism at the myostatin gene locus in indigenous and Nigerian locally adapted exotic turkeys. A total of 220-day-old poults comprising 120 local 100 turkeys were sourced from reputable hatchery managed for 20 weeks under intensive management system. Blood samples collected 70 each form two breeds via brachial vein into Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) bottles DNA extraction amplification target regions using commercially available kits when birds 8 weeks. Genomic containing exon 1 2 MSTN including their surrounding introns sequenced analyzed BioEdit, Codon Code Aligner, DnaSP MEGA software. Codon-based test also performed estimate ratio non-synonymous substitutions (dN) synonymous (dS). Results our study showed that both turkey had one (SNP) (248 G>A) while SNP variant 333 G>A detected only turkey. In intron 1, a 3 SNPs detected. Intron revealed 4 respectively. Genetic diversity indices higher haplotype (75 %) (84 % estimated Our selection dN/dS <1 (purifying selection) G248A loci, suggested possible role this on growth performance. We recommend population-based investigate effect morpho-structural traits breed improvement conservation populations.