Selection for growth rate and body size have altered the expression profiles of somatotropic axis genes in chickens
Fig 3
Comparison of growth hormone (GH) mRNA expression.
GH mRNA abundance in the pituitary (a), the liver (b), breast muscles (c) and in thigh muscles (d) from the Daweishan mini chicken and the Wuding chicken breeds, and the commercial Avian broiler hybrid at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. Statistical significance of difference among chickens at a specific age is indicated by asterisks (*: P<0.05; **: P<0.01). Statistical significance among different ages within a breed / hybrid is indicated with letters (lower case: P<0.05; capitals: P<0.01).