Polymorphic profile of transferrin (Tf) and pre-albumen (Pa) from blood samples of a long-term selected strain of chickens were studied. Polymorphism was observed for transferrin (Tf) revealing six phenotypes and also for pre-albumen (Pa) revealing three phenotypes. TfB allele was predominant for the Tf locus with a frequency of 0.53 while PaB (slow) allele was predominant for the Pa locus with a frequency of 0.74. Significant differences among Tf genotypes were observed for egg weight, egg mass, egg production efficiency and efficiency index. TfAC genotype conspicuously had delayed sexual maturity and lower egg production, rate of lay, egg weight, and egg mass while TfCC genotype was superior for a number of traits. Pre-albumen genotype PaAA had higher mature body weights, egg number, egg mass and egg production efficiency measures.
Polymorphism, transferrin, pre-albumen, egg production, chickens
