Growth performance of Indonesian three-breed cross chicken associated with growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 2 genes

Research (Published online: 20-12-2023)

12. Growth performance of Indonesian three-breed cross chicken associated with growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 2 genes

Harini Nurcahya Mariandayani, Sri Darwati, Isyana Khaerunnisa, and Vivitri Dewi Prasasty

Veterinary World, 16(12): 2471-2478

Harini Nurcahya Mariandayani: Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta 12520, Indonesia.

Sri Darwati: Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, West Java 16680, Indonesia.

Isyana Khaerunnisa: Research Center for Applied Zoology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor, West Java 16912, Indonesia.

Vivitri Dewi Prasasty: Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA.

Background and Aim: Poultry, such as chickens, is an important source of animal protein, producing eggs and meat. Local chickens are able to adapt to the hot weather and become more resistant to disease. However, it has relatively slow growth and low egg production. These problems can be overcome through holding selection and crossing. Local chicken productivity is slow and low based on chicken growth. There is a need to examine the factors that influence growth and productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate crossbreed chicken growth performance, including body weight (BW), BW gain, feed intake, and feed conversion.

Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from 40 chickens with the growth hormone (GH) gene and 40 chickens with the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene, followed by a polymerase chain reaction. Genotyping was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In animal selection and phenotypic data collection, 80 chickens from Sentul, Kampung, and Kedu were used to produce the second-generation three-crossbreed chickens (F2) using the GH gene.

Results: Growth hormone is a very relevant gene in chicken performance traits. Growth hormone and IGF2 genes regulate chicken production. This study presents the second-generation growth features of three-crossbreed chickens derived from Sentul, Kampung, and Kedu, all of which are native to Indonesia (F2). A statistically significant (p = 0.05) improvement in BW, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion over a 12-week period was observed when the animals were allowed free access to regular feed. Analysis of variance results indicated a significant (p = 0.0001) interaction between the 12-week period and GH and IGF2 gene sensitivities of different chicken breeds.

Conclusion: Crossbreed chicken growth performance increased within 12 weeks. This study highlighted the need to improve the productivity and breeding of domestic crossbred chickens to contribute to the Indonesian conservation and genetic diversity program.

Keywords: body weight, domestic chicken crossbreed, feed conversion, growth hormone gene, insulin-like growth factor 2 gene.