Preliminary mapping of QTLs affecting egg quality on chromosomes 1-5 in chickens

• Published in: Czech Journal of Animal Science Vol. 48; no. 3
• Main Authors: Wardecka, B, Olszewski, R, Jaszczak, K, Zieba, G, Pierzchala, M. (Polish Academy of Science, Jastrzebiec (Poland). Inst. of Genetics and Animal Breeding)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2003
• Subjects: BLANC D'OEUF; BREEDS (ANIMALS); CALIDAD; CASCARA DE HUEVO; CHROMOSOME; CHROMOSOMES; CLARA DE HUEVO; COLOR; COLOUR; COQUILLE D'OEUF; COULEUR; CROMOSOMAS; DENSIDAD; DENSITE; DENSITY; DESEMPENO EN LA POSTURA; EGG SHELL; EGG WHITE; EGG YOLK; EGGS; EPAISSEUR; ESPESOR; GALLINA PONEDORA; GENE; GENES; GENETIC MARKERS; HEREDABILIDAD; HERITABILITE; HERITABILITY; HUEVOS; JAUNE D'OEUF; LAYER CHICKENS; LAYING PERFORMANCE; MARCADORES GENETICOS; MARQUEUR GENETIQUE; MICROSATELITES; MICROSATELLITE; MICROSATELLITES; OEUF; PCR; PERFORMANCE DE PONTE; PESO; POIDS; POULE PONDEUSE; QUALITE; QUALITY; RACE (ANIMAL); RAZAS (ANIMALES); THICKNESS; WEIGHT; YEMA DE HUEVO
• ISSN: 1212-1819

In order to detect QTLs affecting egg quality traits, an experimental population was developed from two poultry breeds: Green-legged Partridgenous (GlP), a native Polish breed, and a highly productive Rhode Island Red (RIR) stock. These breeds differ considerably in egg laying performance - the mean egg weight is 48.9 g for GlP hens and 59.4 g for RIR hens; during the first 100 days of laying GlP hens lay about 40 eggs while the RIR flock 81 eggs. QTL analysis was conducted concerning egg quality traits, based on a population of 519 birds (F2); 23 microsatellite loci on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were chosen from the Roslin Institute database on the basis of their utility and location. Within the mapped population a linkage analysis was performed of 23 microsatellite markers. Through a linkage analysis twelve QTLs were identified. They affect 9 egg quality traits as follows: egg weight at week 53 of life, albumen weight at week 53, albumen weight at week 33, yolk weight at week 33, yolk weight at week 53, shell weight at week 53, shell thickness at week 33, shell thickness at week 53, shell colour at week 53.