Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are involved in a variety of physiological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. In the present study, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) has been implicated as candidate genes for the regulation of antler yield in Sika deer population. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing methods were employed in screening for genetic variation among these candidate genes. We identified three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (A214G in intron 2, C246T in intron 4, and C65T in exon 16) in IGF1R gene, without harboring any SNP in other genes. The restriction site Hhal was used for A214G, C246T and C65T sites for further genotyping by Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Three genotypes were observed in each of these sites in Wusan Sika deer (AG>AA>GG, CT>TT>CC, CT>CC>TT) and Dongfeng Sika deer population (AG>GG>AA, CT>TT>CC, CC>CT>TT) respectively. There was a trend towards improved antler yield in polymorphisms in IGFR2. Although there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in these two Sika deer population this is the first report revealing association between Insulin-like growth factors and antler production in Sika deer population. This information would serve IGFs as a genetic marker for the selection of higher antler producers in Sika deer population.

Key words: Antler yield, IGF1/2 gene, IGF1R gene, PCR-RFLP, Sika deer, SSCP