¹Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), University of Alexandria, Alexandria, EGYPT
²Department of Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), University of Alexandria, Alexandria, EGYPT DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2017.18474 Melanocortin receptor (MC4R) plays an important role in central melanocortin system and regulation of feed intake in birds. In this study the melanocortin gene (MC4R) was proposed as a candidate gene for egg production traits (yield and weight) in Lohmann Brown hens. DNA from blood samples was extracted to amplify the MC4R gene and the purified PCR products were sequenced. Alignment of sequence data from each group revealed that there is a variation detected in MC4R-1 at nucleotide 22 (T-G) (sense mutation) for high egg weight. Hens with the AB genotype produced significantly higher egg weight compared to hens with the AA genotype. There was no significant effect of this mutation on egg yield. The detected mutation and the analysis of egg production means revealed a significant association between MC4R polymorphism and egg weight. The MC4R-SNP could be considered as a useful marker in chicken selection especially for egg weight. Keywords : Lohmann Brown, MC4R, Egg weight, SNP, Sense mutation