Detection of Myoglobin Gene Polymorphism Associated With Pigeons' Growth Traits

ABSTRACT Utilizing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping techniques to select animals with high economic trait values, including reproduction and growth, have attracted great attention. Myoglobin (Mb) is a cytoplasmic hemoprotein involved in oxygen transport and storage, and plays a critical role in skeletal muscle development. Nevertheless, there are few academic publications focused on the Mb associated with pigeons growth traits. Hence, the SNPs in the Mb gene were investigated and their association with growth‐related traits in pigeons was evaluated in this study. A total of 6 SNPs of Mb were identified in 260 pigeons. Among these, three SNPs (g.174230157G>C, g.174230158T>C and g.174230175T>G) were located in intron 1, one SNP was located in the exon 2 (g.174230233C>T), two SNPs (g.174231334T>C and g.174231495T>C) were located in 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of the pigeon Mb gene. The results of the potential structural effects of these SNPs on mRNA analyzing via RNAfold software showed that the g.174230233C>T and g.174231334T>C mutations had unchanged on mRNA secondary structure, whereas the g.174231495T>C mutation is predicted to result in increased free energy. Genetic analysis indicated that all 6 SNPs conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and with observed heterozygosity (Ho) exceeding expected heterozygosity ( H e ). Additionally, g.174230233C>T, g.174231334T>C and g.174231495T>C showed moderate polymorphism. Association analysis revealed significant correlations between g.174231334T>C and g.174231495T>C and shank circumference, whereas the remaining 4 SNPs showed no significant associations with growth traits. However, haplotype analysis showed no significant relationships with growth traits ( p > 0.05). These findings reveal novel Mb gene markers associated with pigeon growth traits and offer a molecular foundation for genetic improvement in pigeon breeding programs.