BIONATURE

Genetic variation is the basis for phenotypic diversity among chickens and is essential for genetic improvement. In Nigeria, indigenous and improved indigenous breeds like FUNAAB Alpha still perform below exotic breeds such as Ross 308. This has limited their adoption by farmers and caused a gradual loss of valuable native genetic traits. To address this challenge, this study examined SNPs in the TSHβ gene; a gene known to influence growth and identified other genes that may interact with it. The study was carried out on two hundred birds (100 FUNAAB Alpha and 100 Ross 308 chickens). From the result of this study, four SNPs were identified within the TSHβ gene: three in the 5′ UTR and one synonymous SNP in the coding region. Haplotype results showed four haplotypes confined to Ross 308, indicating higher allelic diversity in the breed. VEP analysis revealed that SNP 4 had a notable effect on TSHβ expression in chicken. Pathway analysis shows TSHβ and its interactions with other potential candidate genes within the HPT axis in chicken. In conclusion, this study identifies TSHβ as a functional and pleiotropic gene involved in growth regulation in chickens and highlights the SNP at position 67 of the TSHβ nucleotide sequence of chickens as a potential molecular marker for improving local chicken breeds in Nigeria.