REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION-POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION-BASED DETECTION OF VITELLOGENIN IN PHILIPPINE WHITE MALLARD AND PEKIN DUCKS (Anas platyrhynchos L.) RAISED UNDER CONFINED CONDITIONS

Abstract

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is a well-known biomarker for estrogenic pollution. Exposure to xenoestrogens causes altered Vtg levels; hence, it is imperative to have baseline information on normal Vtg expression. The presence of Vtg in Philippine White Mallard and Pekin ducks of different age groups was determined through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). Ducks that were raised under confined conditions were sampled from the Bureau of Animal Industry in Tiaong, Quezon. Total RNA from one month, 10-month, and 24-month old ducks of both sexes was extracted from liver samples and was subjected to RT-PCR. Vtg expression was consistently observed in the sexually mature female Philippine White Mallards. High Vtg levels were detected in the 24-month old female samples while 10-month old female samples also expressed Vtg but at low levels. However, no Vtg was detected in one month old samples. Vtg was also detected in one of the male and muscle samples. Similarly, 24-month old female Pekin samples showed to be consistent in expressing Vtg. Nonetheless, no Vtg was detected in the 10-month old female and one month old samples. This is the first report on Vtg expression at the transcript level in Philippine ducks. Moreover, the results will aid in the development of PCR-based assay of Vtg in Philippine White Mallard ducks.