Authors : Lv Shen-Jin, Yang Yan, Guo Jun and Wei Wan-Hong
Abstract: It is widely accepted that Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is involved in modulating behaviour performance induced by environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to study polymorphisms of the BDNF gene and their relationship with animal behaviour in sika deer (Cervus nippon). About 48 sika deer reared under Ping-Shan-Tang Farm (25 deers) and Zhu-Yu-Wan Park (23 deers), Yangzhou City, Jiangsu province, China were observed and blood samples taken to identify BDNF genotypes. Data were subjected to ANOVA analysis to evaluate the link between genotype and animal behaviour traits. After PCR and electrophoresis, polymorphisms were found in two pairs of primers. At primer P-4, AA genotype (26 deer) rested significantly less than BB genotype (16 deers) (p<0.05). The AA genotype deer also performed significantly more locomotion behaviour (p = 0.001). At the primer P-5, deer of genotypes CC/DD/CD differed significantly in their watching behaviour. Deer of genotype CC performed significantly less resting and self-grooming behaviour than deer of genotypes CD or DD (both p<0.05). The findings suggest that polymorphisms in BDNF may be involved in some aspects of animal behaviour traits especially in the high sensitive sika deer reared for several years in China park.
Lv Shen-Jin, Yang Yan, Guo Jun and Wei Wan-Hong, 2011. The Association of BDNF Gene Variants with Behaviour Traits in Sika Deer (Cervus nippon). Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1431-1436.