LAUSR

The present study was conducted to investigate the polymorphisms of prolactin receptor (PRLR5) gene and its association with egg production in Kadaknath hens. Egg production is a polygenic inheritance trait. Study was conducted on twenty female birds of Kadaknath kept for laying. Egg production performances were recorded as age at first laying (AFE), Body Weight at First Egg (WFE), Mean Egg Weight (MEW) and Total No. of Eggs at 90 days of laying (TEN). Genomic DNA isolated from 2- 3 of blood collected from wing vein of each bird was amplified for prolactin receptor (PRLR5) gene with specific primer by standardizing and optimising the PCR protocols. PCR was performed in a final volume of 20 ml. The amplified PCR products were resolved on the gels to generate polymorphisms. PRLR5 was digested with BamHI. Retriction digested products were run on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. PRLR5 showed two alleles & two genotypes. The frequency of AA genotype at this locus was 0.75 & BB genotype was 0.25. The AFE (d), WFE (Kg), MEW (g) and TEN of Kadaknath hens in the present study were found to be 188.00±0.71, 1.26±0.03, 42.83±0.21 & 37.75±0.59 respectively. Birds with AA genotype of PRLR5 had a significantly (P<0.05) better WFE & AFE than BB genotype. Prolactin receptor (PRLR5) genes produced polymorphism in Kadaknath and were associated with egg production traits.