Abstract: In order to research the effects of Myf6 gene on the skeletal muscle of duck embryo, the mRNA expressions of Myf6 gene on the skeletal muscle during Gaoyou duck and Jinding duck embryonic stage on day 13, 17, 21, 25, 27 and 1 week after patch were detected using quantitative RT-PCR method in this experiment. The result indicated that the Myf6 gene expressed on both pectorals and crureus of Gaoyou and Jinding duck embryo, the expression of variation in both varieties were similar, and with different expression patterns in pectorals and crureus. The expression of duck Myf6 gene on pectorals showed that the highest level appeared at 21 embryo age, and subsequently expression levels decreased to maintain a relatively high expression levels.Expression level of Myf6 gene on crureus at 13 and 17 embryo age were higher, and the subsequent expression level were somewhat lower, then rapidly declined to lower levels after 21 embryo age, and its expression in the late embryonic stage (27 embryo age) and the newborn period (7 d) were slowly upward. These results indicated that Myf6 genes involved in the skeletal development, and different expression patterns in the pectorals and crureus suggested Myf6 gene might be related to development and differentiation of the chest and leg muscle.

Key words: duck; Myf6 gene; skeletal muscle; developmental changes