Abstract：In order to lay a foundation for Marker-assisted Selection (MAS) for Bian chicken's growth traits, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of exon 1 of the myostatin(MSTN) gene were detected in Bian chicken(Gallus gallus) and three reference chicken (G. gallus) populations (the Jinghai, Youxi and Arbor Acre chickens) by PCR-SSCP. And the relationship with growth traits in the Bian chicken was analysed. Results showed that the Bian, Jinghai and Youxi chickens all displayed six genotypes (AA, AB, BB, BC, AC and CC), while only four genotypes (AB, BC, AC and CC) were detected in the Arbor Acre chicken. Sequencing revealed three mutations (G2 100A, G2 109A and C2 244G) of the MSTN gene. Chickens of BB genotype had significantly higher body weight than those of AA genotype (P<0.05) from 6 to 8 week of age and 12 week of age. Chickens of BB genotype had significantly higher body weight than those of AA and AC genotypes at 14 week of age (P<0.05). Chickens of BB genotype had significantly higher body weight than those of the other five genotypes from 16 to 18 week of age (P<0.05). These results preliminarily show that the MSTN gene is either a major gene that influences the body weight traits of the Bian chicken or a molecular marker in close linkage with them.
