ABSTRACT
Insulin like growth factor I [IGF-I] regulates growth, protein synthesis, and cell proliferation and differentiation in vertebrates. Polymorphisms of insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1] gene transcript alleles of 3 different breeds of chicken [Sasso as a native breed, Arbor Acres plus and Cobb 500] were assessed. The associations of these polymorphisms with growth rate of the studied breeds were also evaluated. Total RNA were isolated from chicken livers and IGF-1 gene was amplified from each breed by RT-PCR using specific primers flanking a certain region of the gene. The amplified products were then subjected to SSCP analysis for genotype identification-I GENEThree different banding patterns were obtainedfor the three breeds with a unique pattern forthe Cobb 500 [the fastest growing breed]. Inthis report, we describe how SSCP analysis ofRT-PCR products can be used to evaluate thetranscript expression pattern of avian IGF-1polymorphism and their effect on the growthtraits of chickens