DNA Sequence and Haplotype Variation Analysis of Inflammatory Response Genes NLRX1, IL6, and IL8 in the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Genotype-phenotype analyses continue to be the primary goal for genome analyses in livestock and poultry breeding. Essential to accomplish this goal is the need to identify variation at the genomic level. To test the hypothesis that DNA sequence variations in inflammatory response genes are associated with phenotypic differences in the heritage turkey, the primary objective of this project was to search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate inflammatory response genes. A minor objective was to develop a system for inducing inflammatory response in the turkey using a microbe-based lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an approach previously described for the chicken. A total of 18 SNPs was identified in the three genes screened in this project: Interleukin 6 (IL6) and 8 (IL8), and NLRX1. Mortality data from the LPS challenge were not significantly different among the strains. Further gene expression analyses will be part of future work. The SNP data represent the first extensive analyses of candidate inflammatory response genes in the turkey. Combined with the protocols developed for inflammation assessment in the turkey the SNPs described here will be valuable resources for future inflammation:genotype evaluation in the turkey