Association between and genes polymorphisms and growth traits in rabbits.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms are commonly associated with changes in quantitative traits, and have been considered useful markers for improving different traits in livestock. The current study aimed to explore the effect of three SNPs located in , and genes on the growth traits of rabbits. Individuals from three rabbit breeds were genotyped using RFLP-PCR. The variant (c.189T > G) was associated with post-weaning body weight, and body weight gains, However, the effect on growth rates was insignificant in Baladi Red and V-line rabbits. The -γ variant (c.207A > C) was significantly associated with 8-wk body weights in V-line rabbits, 10-wk body weights, and growth rates from 8 to 10 weeks of age in New Zealand rabbits. However, the differences between genotypes were insignificant for body weight gains and average daily gain. The gene mutation (g.16079636C > G) had significant effects on body weights at 6 and 8 weeks of age in New Zealand White rabbits and 8 weeks of age in Baladi Red rabbits were associated with the presence of the C allele. Concludingly, the results stressed the importance of the gene in post-weaning growth and suggested the existence of breed-specific effects for -γ and .