Expression of Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Gene in Abdominal Adipose Tissue and Its Association with Growth and Fatness Traits in Commercial Meat Type Chickens

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) gene expression was assessed in abdominal fat tissues of five commercial meat-type chicken hybrids (Aviagen, Arbor Acre, Hubbard, Cobb and Ross) at of 37 days old. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction was used. The relative A-FABP gene mRNA expression level was calculated with 2-ΔΔCt method using males as calibrators for their target females. The meat type hybrids were diverse in their genetic makeup and response. Aviagen females recorded significant 2.176 more than their males. Hubbard females recorded non-significant 0.6533 fold, same as their males. Arbor acres females are lower than their males by significant 0.1243 fold. Both Cobb and Ross genotypes scored significant 0.3723 and 0.3951, respectively, fold than their males. Hierarchical clustering analysis dendograme method merged Cobb and Ross genotypes to the first closest cluster. Both Arbor Acres and Hubbard had joined into a further cluster. Aviagen genotype was much closer to Arbor Acres and Hubbard nest. Lower abundance of A-FABP gene expression for Arbor Acres was significantly associated with growth and most of carcass parameters retardation. Lower expression of A-FABP gene for Cobb genotype had a unique elevation response for both growth and most of carcass parameters and strong positive association with abdominal fat deposition, especially for males. So, the A-FABP gene could be linked to major gene(s) that influence the abdominal fat content in case of Cobb broilers. FABP4 may provide useful information for further studies on its roles in growth, carcass traits and fatness for both Arbor Acres and Cobb hybrids.

Author(s): Ghaly MM and Ma Li

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