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Avian Index
DRD4
Testing Cost $40.00
Results in 5-7 Business Days
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Performance Testing For Pigeons (DRD4 a,b)
In 2015 research published in The Journal Animal Genetics showed a relationship between the Dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene and race performance in pigeons.
In this study a bases of 1380 racing records from 8 (<400 km) and 6 long (>500 km) races were taken into account. The study uncovered a number of different variations in the dopamine receptor type 4 gene, of which two were relevant for racing performance. The variances in DRD4 were found to influence performance at all distances, but only on speed and middle distance races was the difference statistically significant.
Using SNP g.129954C>T DRD4a and SNP g.129456C>T DRD4b the variant CC/CC was associated with the lowest overall mean in racing performances. The variants CT/CC and CC/CT had higher statistically significant averages; and the CTCT variant had a very high mean in racing performance. This was significantly proven on speed and middle distance (<400km). In longer distance (>500 km) the mean was higher but this was not be proven statistically in the study.
Animal Genetics is currently studying birds with genotypes TT/CT, TT/CC and TT/TT and how these variances may influence both long and short distance racing performance. Animal Genetics is also interested in the relationship between DRD4 and LDHA variances and how they may influence speed, and distance performance.
Recent findings published in "Japan Poultry Science Association" studying the DRD2 receptor in pigeons suggests that SNP C4532T located in exon 6 of the DRD2 gene is closely associated with reproductive traits in pigeons. Moreover, birds with AB genotype had a significantly higher fertility rate and total hatch rate over 500 days then birds with AA genotype.
Test Results DRD4-a:
| TT | Homozygous | The pigeon carries two copies of the T allele and is homozygous for DRD4-a (TT). The pigeon statistically is a better race performance bird. The pigeon will only pass on the T allele and not the C. |
| CT | Hetrozygous | The pigeon carries both T and C alleles. The pigeon statistically is a better race performance bird for short races. The pigeon can pass on either the T or C allele 50% on the time. |
| CC | Homozygous | The pigeon carries two copies C allele and is homozygous for C. The pigeon will only pass on the C allele and not the T. |
Test Results DRD4-b:
| TT | Homozygous | The pigeon carries two copies of the T allele and is homozygous for DRD4-a (TT). The pigeon statistically is a better race performance bird. The pigeon will only pass on the T allele and not the C. |
| CT | Hetrozygous | The pigeon carries both T and C alleles. The pigeon statistically is a better race performance bird for short races. The pigeon can pass on either the T or C allele 50% on the time. |
| CC | Homozygous | The pigeon carries two copies C allele and is homozygous for C. The pigeon will only pass on the C allele and not the T. |
Submit a Sample For Testing:
To submit a sample, download a test submission form at our Downloads page.
References:
Anim Genet. 2015 Oct;46(5):586-7. doi: 10.1111/age.12328. Epub 2015 Jul 22. Polymorphism in dopamine receptor D4 gene is associated with pigeon racing performance. Proskura WS1, Kustosz J1, Dybus A1, Lanckriet R2.
- Mail samples to:
- Animal Genetics,
- 3382 Capital Circle NE
- Tallahassee, FL 32308
- USA
