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Association of Novel Mutations in the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Receptor-1 Gene with Egg Shell Thickness in Three Strains of Laying-Type Quail
1
College of Animal Science, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, China
2
School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Animals 2025, 15(10), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15101373
Submission received: 1 March 2025
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Revised: 2 May 2025
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Accepted: 6 May 2025
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Published: 9 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)
Simple Summary
Quail are widely raised in China due to their low feeding costs, short production cycles, and high nutritional value. Based on their use, quail can be categorized into meat and egg-laying types. Egg-laying quail not only possess significant economic value but also hold important scientific research value. This study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-1 (VIPR-1) gene related to egg quality and laying performance in three distinct quail strains, using scientific breeding techniques to enhance breeding efficiency and promote sustainable development of the quail industry.
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the potential role of the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor-1 (VIPR-1) gene polymorphisms and haplotypes in influencing egg production performance and egg quality parameters in laying-type quail. Genomic DNA was extracted from 150 quail across three strains: Chinese yellow (CY, n = 50), Beijing white (BW, n = 50), and Korean (KO, n = 50). We designed two pairs of primers and initiated PCR amplification, after which the amplified products were sent to a testing company for purification. Sanger sequencing was employed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the VIPR-1 gene. Two SNP sites were selected for genotyping; g.1603402T>G was analyzed using PCR-RFLP with the BsrD I enzyme, while g.1614884A>G was genotyped using the HpyCH4 IV enzyme. The association results revealed that the g.1603402T>G site showed significant association with egg shell thickness (EST) in the BW strain (p < 0.05). There were no significant associations between these two loci and the remaining egg quality traits in the BW and KO strains (p > 0.05). Differences in egg quality and laying performance among haplotype combinations were not significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the VIPR-1 gene, with its identified polymorphisms and haplotypes, has potential as a molecular marker that could improve egg shell thickness in BW quail.
Keywords:
VIPR-1; polymorphism; egg quality; laying performance; quail
