Short Communication: Polymorphism of collagen type X (COLX) gene and their association with egg production traits and egg weight in Alabio and Mojosari ducks

Type X collagen (COLX) is non-fibrillar collagen expressed in the white isthmus of the avian oviduct and plays a role in egg formation. This study aimed to identify COLX gene polymorphism and its association with egg production and egg weight in Alabio (Anas platyrhynchos Borneo) and Mojosari ducks (Anas platyrhynchos Javanicus). Blood samples of 100 female ducks were collected, and their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted. In addition, a 220 bp fragment of COLX gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and sequenced for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identification and genotyping. Data analysis was performed to calculate genotype and allele frequencies, and an independent sample t-test was used to examine the association between genotype and egg production and egg weight of each individual. Three genotypes (CC, TT, and CT) of SNP g.74C/T were detected in both breeds. Allele C (0.77) was dominant in Alabio population; otherwise, allele T (0.81) dominated Mojosari population. The frequency of CC (0.59) was highest in Alabio ducks, followed by CT (0.37) and TT (0.04), while TT (0.65) was highest in Mojosari ducks, followed by CT (0.33) and CC (0.02). Meanwhile, association analysis showed that ducks with CC genotype had significantly higher egg production at 28 and 34 weeks in Alabio than those with CT genotype (p<0.05). These results indicate that COLX is an effective genetic marker for a breeding program to increase egg production in Alabio ducks. © 2023, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved.