Polymorphism of TLR7 Gene in the Nigerian Indigenous Chickens and ISA Brown Commercial Layer Chicken

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the genetic polymorphism of TLR7 gene in the Nigerian indigenous chicken populations and ISA Brown commercial layer chicken. The study population comprises eight (8) chicken groups (naked neck, normal and frizzled-feathered Nigerian indigenous chickens in rain forest and Guinea Savannah regions respectively, Fulani ecotype chicken and ISA Brown commercial layer chicken). Blood samples were collected from each of the eight chicken groups. Genomic DNA was isolated from each blood sample using the Zymo Quick-gDNATM Miniprep kit (D3024, Zymo Research Corporation, Irvine, CA, USA) following the manufacturer’s instructions. The DNA sequencing of chTLR7 gene was done using the Sanger Sequencing Chemistry.26 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), two deletions and two insertions in the intronic region of TLR7 gene in the Nigerian indigenous chicken population and ISA Brown commercial layer chicken were found. It is, therefore, recommended that further research should also be carried out on SNP genotyping to determine the association of SNPs of TLR7 gene with resistance or susceptibility to infections in the Nigerian indigenous chickens.