Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of AIRC gene were investigated in various breeds（including Recessive White chickens， Silkies chickens， Baier chickens，Tibetan chickens and Xiaoshan chickens）by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing methods. Two SNPs were detected in exon 3 and 8. The least square analysis showed that birds with CC genotype had significant higher IMP content than those with TC and TT genotypes， birds with TC genotype also had a little higher IMP content than those with TT genotype， but the difference was not significant in exon 3; In exon 8， CG was the excellent genotype， individuals with CG genotype had significant higher IMP content than those with GG and CC genotypes， birds with GG genotype also had significant higher IMP content than those with CC genotype. The combined genotypes of exon 3 and 8 also had significant genetic effect on IMP content. The IMP content of the individuals with CCCG combined genotype was 2.25 mg·g-1 higher than the individuals with TTCC combined genotype. The genetic effect of the combined genotype was larger than that of excellent single genotype. Therefore， it was concluded that the combined genotypes could be used as the molecular genetic marker to select the chicken for meat quality traits.