economy as a source of high-quality animal protein. However, there are few reports
on the evaluation of economic traits in Egyptian indigenous breeds. Hence, this study
aimed to investigate growth performance, carcass characteristics, body measurements
and meat quality traits in two indigenous breeds of chickens (Benha line and Golden
Montazah) versus Rhode Island Red as a reference worldwide breed. Besides, a time
series expression profile of somatotropic axis genes including GH and IGF-1 and
their plasma level concentrations were investigated. Benha line chickens (BL) revealed
the highest improved estimates of growth performance, carcass characteristics
and meat quality traits. In the same manner, it displayed the highest levels of hepatic
GH and IGF-1 and muscle IGF-1 gene expression compared to Rhode Island Red
(RIR) and Golden Montazah (GM) chickens. Accordingly, BL exhibited the highest
levels of plasma IGF-1 and the lowest levels of plasma GH. This result suggests the
direct association between growth performance, carcass characteristics and levels
of IGF-1 gene expression in the selected chicken breeds. BL is a superior Egyptian
genotype with candidate productive traits and competing characteristics, it could be
used widely as a proven ancestor of commercial hybrid breeds.