Insulin-like growth factor binding protein gene polymorphisms and its effect on some productive and physiological traits of local Iraqi chicken

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Animal Production, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

10.22103/jab.2026.27008.1872

Abstract

Objective
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) plays a crucial role in the growth and development of chicken embryos and during the post-hatching stage. The aim of this study was to investigate IGFBP-2 gene polymorphisms and their effects on some productive and physiological traits of local Iraqi chicken.
Materials and methods
This study was conducted at the poultry farm of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad. One hundred local chickens before sexual maturity were used in this study. Blood samples were collected from the wing vein to extract DNA and molecular analysis and PCR amplification. Blood serum was also collected to measure biochemical parameters including total protein, glucose, lipid profile, albumin, and globulin concentrations. Production traits were recorded from the first egg production for a period of 100 days, which was divided into seven periods. These traits included number of eggs produced, mean egg weight, egg mass, age and body weight at sexual maturity, and mean feed consumption. The qualitative characteristics of the egg were also measured. PCR was performed to amplify a 386 bp fragment of the IGFBP-2 gene. The amplified fragments were then sequenced using the Sanger method.
Results
Three genotypes wild (TT), heterozygous (TC), and mutant (CC) were obtained, with two alleles T and C. The CC genotype showed a significantly higher frequency (p≤0.01) compared with TC and TT genotypes (59%, 30%, and 11%, respectively). Genotype had a significant effect (p≤0.05) on the number of eggs produced only in the third week. The TT had the superiority over CC (47.09 and 44.09) respectively. A significant effect (p≤0.05) was observed for eggshell weight, where the TC genotype was superior to CC (7.14 vs. 6.63 g). For yolk height, TT and TC genotypes showed significantly higher values than CC (19.09, 19.00, and 17.77 mm, respectively). For albumen height, the TT genotype showed a significant increase compared with CC (7.38 vs. 6.49 mm). A significant effect (p≤0.05) was also observed on serum albumin concentration, and the CC genotype showed a significantly higher value than TC (2.51 and 2.34 g/dL, respectively). No other significant effect was observed on blood serum biochemical characteristics.
Conclusion
Our results show that polymorphism in the IGFBP-2 gene can probably influence some production and egg quality traits in local Iraqi chickens. So, it can be considered as potential genetic marker for selection programs.

Keywords

References

Aguirre, G. A., De Ita, J. R., de la Garza, R. G., & Castilla-Cortazar, I. (2016). Insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency and metabolic syndrome. Journal of Translational Medicine, 14, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0762-z
Al Ani, M. A. K., & Al Khatib, B. G. M. (2025). Leptin receptor gene polymorphisms and its effect on some productive and physiological traits of local Iraqi chicken. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 56(2), 736–743. https://doi.org/10.36103/kb89xk27
Al-Khatib, B. G. M., Noori, A. A., & Abdulkareem, I. Q. (2025). Prolactin gene polymorphisms associated with productive and physiological traits of local chickens. Journal of Animal Health & Production, 13(1), 846–853. https://doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2025/13.s1.846.853
Bal, G. R., Vishesh, K. S., & Usha, R. (2020). PCR-RFLP study of candidate genes for egg production in layer chicken. Archives of Animal & Poultry Sciences, 1(3), 52–58. https://doi.org/10.19080/AAPS.2020.01.555563
Bhattacharya, T. K., Chatterjee, R. N., Dushyanth, K., Paswan, C., Shukla, R., & Shanmugam, M. (2015). Polymorphism and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene and its association with growth traits in chicken. British Poultry Science, 56(4), 398–407. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2015.1041098
Clemmons, D. R. (2016). Role of IGF binding proteins in regulating metabolism. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 27(6), 375–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2016.03.019
Clemmons, D. R. (2018). Role of IGF-binding proteins in regulating IGF responses to changes in metabolism. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 61(1), T139–T169. https://doi.org/10.1530/JME-18-0016
Das, H., Tarim, B., Demir, S., Küçükkent, N., Cengiz, S., TüleK, E., & Aksakal, V. (2018). Association of IGF and IGFBP2 gene polymorphisms with growth and egg traits in Atak-S laying hens. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 68(2), 237–242. https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.15611
Duncan, D. B. (1955). Multiple range and multiple F-tests. Biometrics, 11(1), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.2307/3001478
Fujita, S., Yamaguchi, M., Hiramoto, D., Saneyasu, T., Honda, K., & Kamisoyama, H. (2018). Effects of fasting and refeeding on the mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in chick liver and brain. The Journal of Poultry Science, 55(4), 269–273. https://doi.org/10.2141/jpsa.0180005
Gu, L., Sun, C., Gong, Y., Yu, M., & Li, S. (2017). Novel copy number variation of the TGFβ3 gene is associated with TGFβ3 gene expression and duration of fertility traits in hens. PLoS ONE, 12(3), Article e0173696. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173696
Hosnedlova, B., Vernerova, K., Kizek, R., Bozzi, R., Kadlec, J., Curn, V., Kouba, F., Fernandez, C., Machander, V., & Horna, H. (2020). Associations between IGF1, IGFBP2 and TGFß3 genes polymorphisms and growth performance of broiler chicken lines. Animals, 10(5), Article 800. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050800
Hu, L., Li, D., Wei, Q., Kang, L., Sun, Y., & Jiang, Y. (2024). Characterization of a novel IGFBP-2 transcript in the ovarian granulosa cells of chicken follicles: mRNA expression, function and effect of reproductive hormones and IGF1. Poultry Science, 103(12), Article 104501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104501
Ibtisam, Q. A. K., Al-Khatib, B. G. M., & Noori, A. A. (2020). Detection of C3678T SNP in growth hormone secretagogue receptor (ghsr) gene polymorphisms and its effect on some of production and physiological traits of Iraqi local chicken. Plant Archives, 20(1), 2138–2142. https://www.plantarchives.org/List%2020-1.html
Khabiri, A., Toroghi, R., Mohammadabadi, M., & Tabatabaeizadeh, S. E. (2023). Introduction of a Newcastle disease virus challenge strain (sub-genotype VII.1.1) isolated in Iran. Veterinary Research Forum, 14(4), Article e221. https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2022.548152.3373
Khabiri, A., Toroghi, R., Mohammadabadi, M., & Tabatabaeizadeh, S. E. (2025). Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic relative of a pure virulent Newcastle disease virus isolated from an outbreak in northeast Iran. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 78(4), Article ovaf049. https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovaf049
Khezri, A., Shafabakhsh, H., Alizadeh, A., Mohammadabadi, M., & Shakeri, M. (2025). Effects of encapsulated mixtures of plant essential oils and organic acids as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters on humoral immune response and expression of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma genes in broilers. Journal of Poultry Sciences and Avian Diseases, 3(3), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jpsad.3.3.3
Kita, K., Nagao, K., Taneda, N., Inagaki, Y., Hirano, K., Shibata, T., Yaman, M. A., Conlon, M. A., & Okumura, J. (2002). Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 gene expression can be regulated by diet manipulation in several tissues of young chickens. The Journal of Nutrition, 132(2), 145–151. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/132.2.145
Lei, M., Luo, C., Peng, X., Fang, M., Nie, Q., Zhang, D., Yang, G., & Zhang, X. (2007). Polymorphism of growth-correlated genes associated with fatness and muscle fiber traits in chickens. Poultry Science, 86(5), 835–842. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/86.5.835
Mohamadinejad, F., Mohammadabadi, M., Roudbari, Z., Eskandarynasab Siahkouhi, S., Babenko, O., Klopenko, N., Borshch, O., Starostenko, I., Kalashnyk, O., & Assadi Soumeh, E. (2024). Analysis of liver transcriptome data to identify the genes affecting lipid metabolism during the embryonic and hatching periods in ROSS breeder broilers. Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies, 12(2), 61–67. https://doi.org/10.22103/jlst.2024.23814.1554
Mohammadabadi, M. R., Nikbakhti, M., Mirzaee, H. R., Shandi, M. A., Saghi, D. A., Romanov, M. N., & Moiseyeva, I. G. (2010). Genetic variability in three native Iranian chicken populations of the Khorasan province based on microsatellite markers. Russian Journal of Genetics, 46(4), 505–509. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795410040198
Mohammadabadi, M., Afsharmanesh, M., Khezri, A., Kheyrodin, H., Babenko Ivanivna, O., Borshch, O., Kalashnyk, O., Nechyporenko, О., Afanasenko, V., Slynko, V., & Usenko, S. (2025a). Effect of mealworm on GBP4L gene expression in the spleen tissue of Ross broiler chickens. Agricultural Biotechnology Journal, 17(2), 343–360. https://doi.org/10.22103/jab.2025.25277.1714
Mohammadabadi, M., Akhtarpoor, A., Khezri, A., Babenko, O., Stavetska, R. V., Tytarenko, I., Ievstafiieva, Y., Buchkovska, V., Slynko, V., & Afanasenko, V. (2024). The role and diverse applications of machine learning in genetics, breeding, and biotechnology of livestock and poultry. Agricultural Biotechnology Journal, 16(4), 413–442. https://doi.org/10.22103/jab.2025.24662.1644
Mohammadabadi, M., Khezri, A., Afsharmanesh, M., Kheyrodin, H., Bahreini Behzadi, M. R., Babenko, O., Usenko, S., & Momen, M. (2025b). Investigation of interleukin-6 gene expression in liver and spleen tissues of broiler chickens fed mealworm, probiotics, and mealworm with probiotics. Agricultural Biotechnology Journal, 17(4), 469–486. https://doi.org/10.22103/jab.2025.26228.1793
Mohammadabadi, M., Khezri, A., Babenko, O., Borshch, O. O., Kalashnyk, O., Starostenko, I., Тkachenko, S., Klopenko, N., Tytarenko, I., Bezpalyi, I., & Khabiri, A. (2025c). The effect of adding mealworm, probiotics, and mealworm plus probiotics on IL-8 gene expression in liver and spleen tissues of broiler chickens. OBM Genetics, 9(4), Article 315. https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.genet.2504315
Mohammadifar, A., & Mohammadabadi, M. R. (2017). Effect of uncoupling protein polymorphisms on growth, breeding value of growth and reproductive traits in the Fars indigenous chicken. Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science, 7(4), 679–685. https://journals.iau.ir/article_535799.html
Mohammadifar, A., & Mohammadabadi, M. R. (2018). Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) gene association with growth and egg production traits in Fars indigenous chicken. Malaysian Applied Biology, 47(5), 85–90. https://doi.org/10.5555/20193005103
Nagao, K., Hiramatsu, K., Tsukada, A., & Kita, K. (2010). Effects of insufficient levels of dietary protein on IGF-I and IGFBPs in young chickens. The Journal of Poultry Science, 47(3), 236–239. https://doi.org/10.2141/jpsa.010031
Ou, J. T., Tang, S. Q., Sun, D. X., & Zhang, Y. (2009). Polymorphisms of three neuroendocrine-correlated genes associated with growth and reproductive traits in the chicken. Poultry Science, 88(4), 722–727. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2008-00497
Schoen, T. J., Mazuruk, K., Waldbillig, R. J., Potts, J., Beebe, D. C., Chader, G. J., & Rodriguez, I. R. (1995). Cloning and characterization of a chick embryo cDNA and gene for IGF-binding protein-2. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 15(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1677/jme.0.0150049
Shahdadnejad, N., Mohammadabadi, M. R., & Shamsadini, M. (2016). Typing of Clostridium perfringens isolated from broiler chickens using multiplex PCR. Genetics in the Third Millennium, 14(4), 4368–4374. https://elmnet.ir/doc/1603253-71422
Shimasaki, S., & Ling, N. (1991). Identification and molecular characterization of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6). Progress in Growth Factor Research, 3(4), 243–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/0955-2235(91)90003-m
Statistical Analysis System. (2012). SAS users guide: Statistics. SAS Institute Inc.
Szalai, K., Károly, T., Erika, L., & Ágnes, B. (2019). Genotyping of four loci in Hungarian yellow and broiler chickens. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 67(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1556/004.2019.001
Thu, H. D. T., Binh, N. T. T., Duc, L. D., Huu, D. B., Nhung, D. T., Xuan, C. N., Viet, L. N., Thai, A. N., Quang, M. L., Pham, D. K., & Hoang, T. N. (2020). Indigenous Lien Minh chicken of Vietnam: Phenotypic characteristics and single nucleotide polymorphisms of GH, IGFBP and PIT candidate genes related to growth traits. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 21(11), 5344–5352. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d211140
Yau, S. W., Russo, V. C., Clarke, I. J., Dunshea, F. R., Werther, G. A., & Sabin, M. A. (2015). IGFBP-2 inhibits adipogenesis and lipogenesis in human visceral, but not subcutaneous, adipocytes. International Journal of Obesity, 39(5), 770–781. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2014.192
Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 18, Issue 3
June 2026
Pages 269-286

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics