Activin receptor 2A and activin receptor 2B genes in chicken: effect on carcass traits

Carcass traits are of immense importance in chicken as some parts of the carcass particularly breast muscle and legs are mostly preferred by the consumers with good market price while the remaining parts have a lower price. Carcass traits primarily depend on the growth of the birds, which are controlled by the candidate genes. Activin receptor type 2A and 2B act as receptors for binding with the members of transforming growth factor superfamily like myostatin to expedite its biological functions. We analysed exon2 and exon4 of activin receptor type 2A and 2B genes in six chicken populations. Both the genes revealed the presence of four haplotypes in these chicken populations. Association studies revealed a significant effect of genotypes and haplotypes on certain carcass traits such as carcass weight, dressing %, back and neck weight, giblet weights, etc. It is concluded that the exons of ACVR2A and ACVR2B genes were polymorphic and potentially associated with certain carcass traits in chicken.