Differential Expressions of Melanin Genes in the Mule and Muscovy Duck with Different Plumage Colors

Melanin plays important roles in the formation of animal hair and plumage color.Previous studies have indicated that genes of melanocortin 1-receptor(MC1R)and tyrosinase(TYR)are involved in the synthesis of melanin.In order to examine genetic effects of expressions of MC1Rand TYRon plumage color,the expression levels of MC1Rand TYRin different plumage color skins of mule and muscovy duck were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR.The results showed that the expression of TYRand MC1Rin black plumage skins of both mule and muscovy duck were extremely significantly(P<0.01)higher than that in white plumage skins.The expressions of MC1Rin black plumage skins of mule duck and muscovy duck were 9.08 and 3.13 times respectively higher than that in white plumage skin,while the expressions of TYRin black plumage skin of mule duck and muscovy duck were 2.5 and 14.54 times respectively higher than that in white plumage skin.These datas suggested that expression levels of TYRand MC1R were related with the forming of plumage color.