Influence of Breed and Hemoglobin Variants on Genotypic and Gene Frequencies and their Effect on Linear Body Measurements in Nigerian Local Chicken
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of breed and hemoglobin (Hb) genotype on the phenotypic traits of 150 chickens, comprising 50 Naked Neck (NN), 50 Normal Feathered (NA), and 50 Frizzled Feathered (FF) individuals. Blood samples were collected via the wing vein for genetic analysis, while body weight, body length, wingspan, drumstick length, and shank length were measured. Genotypic analysis revealed that the NN and NA breeds had a higher frequency of the AA genotype (60%), while the FF breed exhibited a more balanced distribution (20% AA, 40% AB, and 40% BB). Allele frequency analysis showed a dominance of the A allele in NN (0.7) and NA (0.6), whereas the FF breed had a higher frequency of the B allele (0.6), indicating greater genetic diversity. The relationship between Hb genotypes and body measurements revealed that BB chickens exhibited superior growth traits, including body weight (1.08 kg), chest circumference (27.30 cm), and wingspan (35.50 cm), making them more suitable for meat production. AB individuals showed advantages in body length (28.83 cm) and shank length (8.43 cm), suggesting heterosis effects that enhance growth and adaptability. Conversely, AA chickens generally recorded lower values across most traits, indicating a potential disadvantage in productivity-focused breeding programs. These findings highlight the importance of genetic selection in shaping productivity and adaptability in poultry. Maintaining genetic diversity is essential for improving performance traits, and further research should explore the genetic markers influencing these traits to develop optimized breeding strategies.
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2025 Dauda, A., Tsambi, A. E., Elkana, R., Yakubu, A., Abdulkadir, I. (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Dauda, A., Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Department of Animal Production and Health,
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Tsambi, A. E., Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Department of Animal Production and Health,
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Elkana, R., Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Department of Animal Production and Health,
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Yakubu, A., Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Department of Animal Production and Health,
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Abdulkadir, I., Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.
Department of Animal Science,
Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria.
Adeolu, A. I., Olawale, O. J. and Bamidele, F. A. (2022). Genetic variability and its influence on haematological parameters in Nigerian local chickens. African Journal of Poultry Science, 17(3):198-210.
Ahmed, S., Khan, M. S. and Rehman, M. U. (2022). Climate adaptation and genetic variation in farm animals. Global Journal of Animal Science, 56(4): 345-360.
Ahmed, S., Khan, M. S., and Rehman, M. U. (2021). Hemoglobin polymorphism and productivity traits. Animal Genetics, 12(4): 455-470.
Egena, S. S. A., Abu, A. H. and Jiya, E. Z. (2019). Haemoglobin polymorphism and its effects on blood profile in indigenous chickens. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science, 21(2): 145-157.
Ekpo, J. S., Udo, M. E. and Akpan, R. I. (2018). Climate variability and its implications for poultry farming in southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Studies, 12(4): 102-115.
Falconer, D. S. and Mackay, T. F. C. (2015). Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. Pearson Education.
Gurgul, D., Semik-Gurgul, E. and Pawlina, K. (2016). Hb polymorphism and adaptation in cattle. Veterinary Genetics, 27(2): 150-167.
Kim, J., Son, Y. and Choi, S. (2017). The influence of genotype frequencies on production traits in cattle. Journal of Animal Science Research, 45(3): 210-225.
Kumar, R., Mehta, S. and Sharma, A. (2023). Advancements in livestock genomics and genetic improvement. Journal of Animal Science Advances, 15(2): 220-238.
Leroy, G., Boettcher, P. and Hoffmann, I. (2017). Inbreeding and genetic drift in livestock populations. Animal Reproduction Science, 180:14-23.
Li, F., Zhang, L. and Zhao, W. (2021). Genomic selection in livestock breeding. Advances in Animal Genetics, 12(4): 455-470.
Melesse, A., Maak, S. and von Lengerken, G. (2019). Morphometric differentiation of indigenous chicken populations. Animal Genetics Research, 34(1): 50-62.
Mukesh, M., Kataria, R. S. and Yadav, P. (2018). Influence of genetic variation on milk yield in indigenous cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Science, 88(7):901-910.
Musa, S. A., Osei-Amponsah, R. and Kayang, B. B. (2018). Heterozygosity and growth traits in farm animals. African Journal of Genetics, 11(1):45-59.
Mwacharo, J. M., Nomura, K. and Hanada, H. (2019). Conservation of genetic diversity in indigenous breeds. Animal Biotechnology, 30(2): 89-102.
Obike, O. M., Uchegbu, M. C. and Onwuka, C. F. (2023). Evaluation of growth performance traits in Nigerian local chicken ecotypes. Journal of Animal Production Research, 28(1): 122-137.
Ogundu, C. N., Chukwu, J. O. and Eze, P. C. (2024). Effect of genetic variation on phenotypic traits in West African local chicken breeds. International Journal of Poultry Research, 30(1): 75-88.
Oke, O. E., Ladokun, A. O. and Adebambo, O. A. (2019). Genetic polymorphisms and growth traits in livestock. Journal of Animal Science Research, 45(3): 210-225.
Olawunmi, O. O. and Ibe, S. N. (2021). Relationship between linear body measurements and growth performance in Nigerian indigenous chickens. Nigerian Journal of Animal Breeding, 18(2):110-126.
Orunmuyi, M., Muhammad, H., Musa, A.A., Olutunmogun, A.K., and Nwagu, B.I. (2020). Effect of hemoglobin polymorphism on performance traits in indigenous chicken genotypes in Nigeria. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52(5), 2395–2403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02257-y
Osei-Amponsah, R., Kayang, B. B. and Owusu-Ansah, J. (2020). The impact of inbreeding on indigenous livestock breeds. African Journal of Genetics, 11(1): 45-59.
Peters, S. O., Oguntunji, A. O. and Yakubu, A. (2020). Genetic characterization and productivity assessment of local chicken strains in Nigeria. World Poultry Science Journal, 76(2): 233-245.
Santos, A. L., Oliveira, T. R. and Medeiros, R. (2022). Genetic polymorphisms in livestock and their impact on adaptation. Frontiers in Genetics, 13: 897654.
Thornton, P. K., Nelson, G. C. and Godfray, H. C. J. (2016). Livestock breeding for climate resilience. Nature Climate Change, 6(8): 758-761.
Udo, I. A., Okon, E. A. and Asuquo, R. E. (2021). Poultry farming and climatic conditions in the Niger Delta region. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Research, 19(3): 90-108.
Wang, X., Liu, Y. and Zhou, H. (2019). Genetic selection for productivity in livestock breeds. Livestock Science, 233:104995.
Wang, X., Liu, Y. and Zhou, H. (2020). Crossbreeding strategies and genetic improvement in farm animals. Livestock Science, 233: 104995.
Wang, X., Liu, Y., and Zhou, H. (2021). Crossbreeding and Hb genotype selection. Livestock Science, 233: 104995.
Yakubu, A., Idahor, K. O. and Musa, S. A. (2017). Impact of hemoglobin variants on livestock performance. Livestock Science, 233: 104995.
Yakubu, A., Salako, A. E. and Peters, S. O. (2020). Phenotypic and genetic evaluation of Nigerian local chickens. African Journal of Animal Science, 14(2): 176-189.
Zhang, X., Li, W. and Chen, Z. (2024). SNP-based selection signatures in livestock populations. Genomics & Agriculture, 19(3):587-602.
Zhang, Y., Li, R. and Wang, X. (2019). Genetic diversity in livestock breeds: Implications for breeding and conservation. Animal Genetics, 50(6): 789-801.
Zhang, Y., Li, R. and Wang, X. (2022). Genetic diversity in livestock: Implications for selection. Animal Genetics, 55(4): 667-681.
Zhang, Y., Li, R. and Wang, X. (2023). Genetic diversity in livestock: Implications for conservation. Animal Genetics, 55(4): 667-681.
Zhou, P., Song, Y. and Xie, X. (2023). Genetic diversity and inbreeding assessment in livestock populations. BMC Genetics, 24: 34.
Article Sidebar
