Genetic Signatures of Competitive Performance in Burmese Gamecocks: A Transcriptomic Analysis

Understanding the genetic basis of high-performance animals is vital for biological insight and breeding. This study aimed to identify genetic factors distinguishing champion gamecocks (<i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i>) from less successful ones, representing the first study to link transcriptomic profiles directly to competitive outcomes. Using RNA sequencing on non-invasive feather samples, we compared gene expression between high-performing (≥80% win rate) and low-performing (≤20% win rate) cohorts. Our analysis identified 441 differentially expressed genes. Notably, the high-performing cocks exhibited the significant upregulation of genes integral to muscle development and repair (e.g., <i>SYNPO2</i>, <i>POPDC2</i>) and enhanced neural function (<i>NRN1</i>). Conversely, several genes involved in neural development pathways, including <i>CNTNAP2</i> and <i>GFRA4</i>, were significantly downregulated in the high-performing group. These findings suggest that a rooster's competitive success is not determined by a single factor, but by a complex interplay of superior muscular capabilities and uniquely regulated neurological pathways. The identified genes provide a set of potential biomarkers that could inform selective breeding strategies aimed at enhancing performance traits in gamecocks.