The effect of TGFb3 gene on phenotypic and breeding values of body weight traits in Fars native fowls

In order to detect polymorphism in TGF-b3 loci and effect of this gene on phenotypic and breeding values of body weight traits, blood samples were collected randomly from 120 hens of Fars native fowls. DNA was extracted using standard kit and a DNA fragment of 294 bp from TGF-b3 loci was amplified. After PCR, the amplified fragment digested using BsrI enzyme and revealed two alleles T and t with the frequency of 0.29 and 0.71, respectively. The frequencies of TT, Tt and tt genotypes were achieved 0.15, 0.275 and 0.575 respectively. Values for Shanon Index, Effective number of alleles, observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity for TGFb3 were 0.60, 1.69, 0.28 and 0.41 respectively. Results showed that this population has a good genetic diversity and must try to conserve it to use these valuable gene pools. T allele had significant effect on body weight gain at 1 day and 8 weeks (P 0.05). Our results demonstrated that this population has a good genetic diversity, thus these valuable gene pools should be conserved to be used in the future if needed. TGF-b3 gene can also consider as a candidate gene in breeding of this animal.