Identification Of Fat And Lean Phenotypes In Chickens Using Molecular Markers

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of screening chickens to determine those more likely to have a lean or fat phenotype. The invention also provides methods of screening chickens to identify a polymorphism associated with a fat or lean phenotype.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for screening chickens to identify chickens more likely to have a lean phenotype or a fat phenotype, comprising identifying in a sample of genetic material obtained from a chicken the presence or absence of the nucleic acid sequence ATAGATGGC at position 261-269 of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the presence or absence of the nucleic acid sequence correlates with a fat phenotype or a lean phenotype. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the identifying step comprises amplifying at least a portion of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the portion contains position 261-269. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the portion is amplified using a primer that hybridizes to a region of SEQ ID NO: 1 upstream of position 261 and a primer that hybridizes to a region of SEQ ID NO:1 downstream of position 269. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the portion is amplified using a pair of primers selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:24, and SEQ ID NO:25. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the genetic material is obtained from cells or tissues isolated from the chicken. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cells or tissues are isolated from the abdominal fat or liver of the chicken. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cells are isolated from the blood of the chicken.