Association of Prkag3 Gene Polymorphisms with Meat Quality Traits in Chinese Meat-Type Quality Chicken Populations

In this study, we aimed to detect the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) of the chicken PRKAG3 gene and discern the potential association with meat quality traits. A total of 240 meat-type quality chickens were screened by using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and DNA sequencing. Two SNPs (g.1744G>C and g.3207A>G) were identified in chicken PRKAG3 with medium polymorphism (0.25C were significantly associated with water content, crude protein, and crude ash (P<0.05/0.01). The SNP genotypes g.3207A>G were significantly associated with water content, and crude protein (P<0.01). The results suggested that PRKAG3 gene is potential major genes or is in close linkage disequilibrium with the QTL affecting meat quality traits in this population of chickens.

Myopathy of slaughter chickens

High-powered means of slaughter chickens production cause on certain individuals abnormal biochemical development of postmortal changes in their muscles. It consequently lead to interferences of sensory quality of the chicken meat. So called myopathies of the chicken breast meat occur in the low extent. It is typical variation in dark colouring of breast muscle. Veterinary supervision confiscates chickens embodying myopathy by reason of sensorical unacceptable dark muscle colour. Deepness of colour is evaluated by adspection of veterinary supervisors. It is tendency leading to find out objective parameters for evaluating this sensual chicken meat colour variation. Incidence of the chickens with myopathy has been evaluating for 3 years in big poultry slaughter, therewithal high-quality chickens and chickens with perspicuous myopathy have been taking out of slaughter-line. Electric conductivity values and pH values were measuring during 60 till 330 minutes post mortem in breast muscles. Aproximately 9 millions chicken was annually slaughtered and 13 thousands of them was confiscated out of the slaughter line by reason of myopathy. It amounts to 0.14 per cent of annually count of processed chickens. Myopatical chickens had significantly higher muscle pH values as compared with healthy ones. Healthy chicken muscles decreased on ultimative pH values aproximately past 3 hours post mortem. It means pH 6.03, and after 300 minutes decreased to pH 5.82. However, myopatical chickens values varied from pH 6.46 to pH 6.30. Concurrently measured values of electric conductivity significantly corellated with pH values. Whereto, it's predication of similarity chicken myopathies and dark, firm, dry (DFD) pork or turkey meat. Beyond unacceptable dark meat colour have disadvantage in poor post mortem acidifying of the meat and in consequence of microbial proteolyse. Significantly correlation between pH and electric conductivity values foreshadows on identification of myopatical chicken meat by means of conductivity measuring.