Open AccessLack of association between coat color abnormalities in Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) and the coding regions of the MC1R and KIT genes.

Background and Aim: Coat color variations in cattle are known to be influenced by the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) and receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT) genes. The presence of coat color abnormalities, such as white spots and albinism, in Bali cattle was the focus of this study. This study aimed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region of MC1R and exons 2 and 3 of KIT associated with coat color abnormalities in Bali cattle. Materials and Methods: The study included the analysis of 48 Bali cattle, including 20 individuals with standard coat color, 15 with white spots, and 13 with albinism. Total DNA was extracted using a DNA Extraction Kit, and MC1R (coding region) and KIT (exons 2 and 3) gene amplifications were analyzed using forward and reverse primers with polymerase chain reaction product lengths of 1071, 234, and 448 bp, respectively. The determination of MC1R and KIT gene diversity was analyzed through direct sequencing. Melanocortin 1 receptor and KIT gene sequence data were analyzed using BioEdit and MEGA6 to identify SNPs associated with standard and abnormal coat color phenotypes (white-spotted and albino) in Bali cattle. Results: No SNPs associated with coat color abnormalities were found in the coding region of MC1R and exons 2 and 3 of KIT genes in Bali cattle. However, the intron two regions of KIT contained the SNP g.70208534A>G, which showed a high degree of diversity. The AA genotype frequency was highest in albino Bali cattle, whereas the G allele frequency was highest and the A allele frequency was lowest in white-spotted Bali cattle. Conclusion: The results indicated that standard, white-spotted, and albino coat colors in Bali cattle could not be distinguished by analyzing the MC1R and KIT genes.

Growth performance of Indonesian three-breed cross chicken associated with growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 2 genes.

Background and Aim: Poultry, such as chickens, is an important source of animal protein, producing eggs and meat. Local chickens are able to adapt to the hot weather and become more resistant to disease. However, it has relatively slow growth and low egg production. These problems can be overcome through holding selection and crossing. Local chicken productivity is slow and low based on chicken growth. There is a need to examine the factors that influence growth and productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate crossbreed chicken growth performance, including body weight (BW), BW gain, feed intake, and feed conversion. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from 40 chickens with the growth hormone (GH) gene and 40 chickens with the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene, followed by a polymerase chain reaction. Genotyping was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In animal selection and phenotypic data collection, 80 chickens from Sentul, Kampung, and Kedu were used to produce the second-generation three-crossbreed chickens (F2) using the GH gene. Results: Growth hormone is a very relevant gene in chicken performance traits. Growth hormone and IGF2 genes regulate chicken production. This study presents the second-generation growth features of three-crossbreed chickens derived from Sentul, Kampung, and Kedu, all of which are native to Indonesia (F2). A statistically significant (p = 0.05) improvement in BW, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion over a 12-week period was observed when the animals were allowed free access to regular feed. Analysis of variance results indicated a significant (p = 0.0001) interaction between the 12-week period and GH and IGF2 gene sensitivities of different chicken breeds. Conclusion: Crossbreed chicken growth performance increased within 12 weeks. This study highlighted the need to improve the productivity and breeding of domestic crossbred chickens to contribute to the Indonesian conservation and genetic diversity program.

Polymorphism of prolactin (PRL) gene exon 5 and its association with egg production in IPB-D1 chickens.

The prolactin (PRL) gene regulates the egg production and incubation in laying chickens. Local chickens' reproductive systems will disrupt as a result of the incubation period activity, and they will lay fewer eggs. This study aimed to determine the prolactin gene polymorphism in IPB-D1 hens and its relationship to egg production. The polymorphism of the exon 5 prolactin gene was examined on 112 samples of the IPB-D1 chicken DNA collection from the Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Animal Sciences, IPB University. By performing the phenol-chloroform method, the genomic DNA was obtained. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product with a size of 557 bp was produced as a result of the DNA amplification. Three single-nucleotide sequences were discovered. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), g.7835A  >  G, g.7886A  >  T, and g.8052T  >  C, were found in exon 5 of the PRL gene. Each mutation was polymorphic and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The point mutation g.8052T  >  C significantly impacted the egg production of IPB-D1 chickens, according to the SNP association analysis on egg production, and may serve as a marker to enhance the selection for the features of egg production in IPB-D1 chickens.