Genetic Signatures of Competitive Performance in Burmese Gamecocks: A Transcriptomic Analysis.

Understanding the genetic basis of high-performance animals is vital for biological insight and breeding. This study aimed to identify genetic factors distinguishing champion gamecocks () from less successful ones, representing the first study to link transcriptomic profiles directly to competitive outcomes. Using RNA sequencing on non-invasive feather samples, we compared gene expression between high-performing (≥80% win rate) and low-performing (≤20% win rate) cohorts. Our analysis identified 441 differentially expressed genes. Notably, the high-performing cocks exhibited the significant upregulation of genes integral to muscle development and repair (e.g., , ) and enhanced neural function (). Conversely, several genes involved in neural development pathways, including and , were significantly downregulated in the high-performing group. These findings suggest that a rooster's competitive success is not determined by a single factor, but by a complex interplay of superior muscular capabilities and uniquely regulated neurological pathways. The identified genes provide a set of potential biomarkers that could inform selective breeding strategies aimed at enhancing performance traits in gamecocks.