VARIATIONS AND EXPRESSION OF VERY LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN RECEPTOR (VLDLR) mRNA IN THE LIVER AND OVARY OF A LOW EGG PRODUCTION STRAIN OF LOCAL IRAQI HENS

This work was conducted to study the association of variations in VLDLR gene and mRNA expression liver ovary local Iraqi hens with some productive blood traits. The were studied using samples 173 pedigreed hens, 47 weeks old while tissue 30 60 old. Genotypic allelic frequencies, production traits, biochemical serum investigated. results showed that genotypic frequencies chickens did not agree Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P<0.0307). 94.7 5.3% for both GG GT genotypes respectively, allele frequency genes G T 97.4 2.6%, respectively. an increase (P<0.0001) egg weight groups birds follow compared those GT. High levels present high-egg-yield layers but absent or rare low-egg rates. high caused a reduction triglyceride; LDL VLDL low where increases these traits other affected between different expression. suggests level may be new molecular marker screen chickens.