Gene expression of heart- and adipocyte-fatty acid-binding protein and correlation with intramuscular fat in Chinese chickens.

This study examined the association between expression of heart- and adipocyte-fatty acid binding-protein genes (H- and A-FABP) with intramuscular fat percentage (IFP) in two Chinese chicken breeds (Beijingyou [BJY] and Jingxing [JX]). The results showed that age and breed had significant effects on the FABP expression. A-FABP mRNA levels were dramatically higher in BJY than in JX chickens and in males than in females. The results indicate that transcription of H- and A-FABP genes was significantly correlated with IFP in two breeds of chicken.