This study examines the relationship between Transferrin genotypes and the growth rate of Arbor Acre broiler chickens. One-hundred one-day-old Arbor Acre broiler birds were sampled. Body measurements were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected and analyzed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis to determine Transferrin genotypes. Body measurements recorded included: Body weight (BW), Body length (BL), Body girth (BG), Shank length (SL), Beak length (BeL), Drumstick length (DL), Wing length (WL), Keel length (KL), and Shank diameter (SD). Estimation of broiler growth potential within a four-week period was done using the growth rate formula of Maciejowski and Zieba (1982). Population parameters were estimated using PopGen 32.0 software, while the relationships between the Transferrin genotypes and weekly growth rate were determined using SPSS version 22.0(2017). The blood sample analysis revealed four distinct Transferrin genotypes: TF AA (69%), TF AB (17%), and TF AC (13%), which were previously reported in the Yoruba Ecotype of Nigeria Indigenous Chicken (Ige & Salako, 2014). Furthermore, we identified the TF AE (1%) genotype, which was associated with the highest body weight (421.67g), toe length (2 cm), and respiratory rate (50 breaths per min). The TF AA genotype was associated with the longest toe length (6.28 cm), neck circumference (1.01 cm), wing feather length (4.13 cm), and body length (5.43 cm). The TF AC genotype resulted in the greatest beak length (2.35 cm), body height (4.92 cm), shank length (1. 42 cm) and shank diameter (0.75 cm), whereas the AB genotype was linked to the longest keel length (2.42 cm), wing length ( 3.06 cm), drumstick length (2.01 cm), head length (1.55 cm) and neck length (3.37 cm). A significant positive correlation was observed between Transferrin genotype and neck length (r = 0.15, p < 0.05) and head length (r = 0.13, p < 0.05), indicating a potential genetic influence of Transferrin on growth traits in broiler chickens.
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Experimental Study of the Distribution of Transferrin Genotypes and Their Influence on the Growth Rate of Arbor Acre Broiler Chickens
Published:
12 March 2026
by MDPI
in The 4th International Online Conference on Animals
session Animal Genetics and Genomics
Abstract:
Keywords: Transferrin; Growth rate; Electrophoresis; Arbor Acre Broilers; Genetic Variation
