Improvements of Performance Traits Using Genetics and Genomics in Poultry

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 7731

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Division of Animal & Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
Interests: poultry; genetics; genomics; breeding; performance; population and evolutionary genetics; marker assisted selection (MAS); genome wide association study (GWAS)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Poultry species are very important for providing meat and eggs to human and their productions have been dramatically increased worldwide. Since the poultry species were domesticated, humans give lots of efforts for selection and breeding of the poultry species, mostly for the production traits, such as body weight and egg production. Recently, there are still lots of traits, which need to be improved including biochemical compounds and egg/meat quality traits. Also, new investigation is ultimately needed for the native poultry breeds, indicating their use of further breeding program including disease resistance traits. Therefore, the performance traits covering in the special issue are very diverse from the conventional productions traits to new traits affecting the poultry production.

Since the publication of the chicken genome in 2004, Researches, using the developed technology, of the Poultry Genetics and Genomics have been also dramatically improved. However, there are numerous poultry production traits with an unknown genetic background. With the high-throughput genetic and genomic techniques available today, the research community has the possibility to also unravel the complex production traits for the poultry. Therefore, This Special Issue in “Animals” will highlight the improvements of performance traits in poultry using cutting-edge of genetics and genomics technology. This Issue also will provide an overview of recent developments in this field of research, including perspectives on current and upcoming challenges. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Jun–Heon Lee
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1902 KiB  
Article
Genetic Selection Approach for Semen Characteristics in Thai Native Grandparent Roosters (Pradu Hang Dum) Using Random Regression Test-Day Models and Selection Indices
by Iin Mulyawati Daryatmo, Jiraporn Juiputta, Vibuntita Chankitisakul and Wuttigrai Boonkum
Animals 2024, 14(13), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14131881 - 26 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1940
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze suitable genetic models and selection indices to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding values of native Thai roosters. A total of 3475 records of seven semen traits (mass movement, semen pH, semen color, volume, sperm [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze suitable genetic models and selection indices to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding values of native Thai roosters. A total of 3475 records of seven semen traits (mass movement, semen pH, semen color, volume, sperm viability, sperm abnormalities, and sperm concentration) from 242 Thai native grandparent roosters were analyzed. Multiple-trait random regression test-day models with five covariance functions were used to analyze the variance components, genetic parameters, and breeding values. The selection index (SI) was calculated to determine the optimal genetic value for different selection percentages. The results showed that a multiple-trait random regression test-day model with a second-order Legendre polynomial function was the most appropriate genetic model for this population. The estimated heritability values were low to moderate, ranging from 0.110 to 0.112 (mass movement), 0.040 to 0.051 (semen pH), 0.092 to 0.097 (semen color), 0.220 to 0.225 (semen volume), 0.067 to 0.083 (sperm viability), 0.086 to 0.099 (sperm abnormalities), and 0.134 to 0.138 (sperm concentration). The repeatability values exceeded the heritability values and were within the range of 0.133 to 0.688. The genetic correlations among semen traits ranged from −0.332 to 0.677, and phenotypic correlations ranged from −0.260 to 0.460. When considering heritability and genetic correlation values, semen volume, sperm concentration, and mass movement were the top three priority semen traits calculated as selection indices. Finally, the top 10% of the selection index was recommended for creating the next generation. Our findings provide useful information on genetic parameters and an appropriate selection index of semen traits for selecting the genetics of individual Thai native grandparent roosters. The heritability estimates for semen traits reported here suggest an adequate response to selection through a genetic evaluation approach. Our results indicate that it is possible to select grandparent roosters with better reproductive performance. Full article
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22 pages, 5901 KiB  
Article
Functional Analysis and Tissue-Specific Expression of Calcitonin and CGRP with RAMP-Modulated Receptors CTR and CLR in Chickens
by Tianjiao Huang, Jiancheng Su, Xinglong Wang, Ningkun Shi, Xiao Zhang, Jiliang He, Juan Li, Jiannan Zhang and Yajun Wang
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071058 - 30 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1616
Abstract
Calcitonin (CT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are critical regulators of calcium balance and have extensive implications for vertebrate physiological processes. This study explores the CT and CGRP signaling systems in chickens through cloning and characterization of the chicken calcitonin receptor (CTR) and [...] Read more.
Calcitonin (CT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are critical regulators of calcium balance and have extensive implications for vertebrate physiological processes. This study explores the CT and CGRP signaling systems in chickens through cloning and characterization of the chicken calcitonin receptor (CTR) and calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), together with three receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). We illuminated the functional roles for chickens between the receptors examined alone and in RAMP-associated complexes using luciferase reporter assays. Chicken CTRs and CLRs stimulated the cAMP/PKA and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, signifying their functional receptor status, with CT showing appreciable ligand activity at nanomolar concentrations across receptor combinations. Notably, it is revealed that chicken CLR can act as a functional receptor for CT without or with RAMPs. Furthermore, we uncovered a tissue-specific expression profile for CT, CGRP, CTR, CLR, and RAMPs in chickens, indicating the different physiological roles across various tissues. In conclusion, our data establish a clear molecular basis to reveal information on CT, CGRP, CTR, CLR, and RAMPs in chickens and contribute to understanding the conserved or divergent functions of this family in vertebrates. Full article
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17 pages, 1512 KiB  
Article
Genotype by Environment Interactions (G*E) of Chickens Tested in Ethiopia Using Body Weight as a Performance Trait
by Maud A. J. de Kinderen, Johann Sölkner, Gábor Mészáros, Setegn W. Alemu, Wondmeneh Esatu, John W. M. Bastiaansen, Hans Komen and Tadelle Dessie
Animals 2023, 13(19), 3121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193121 - 6 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1791
Abstract
Ethiopia is a developing nation that could highly benefit from securing food via improved smallholder poultry farming. To support farmer and breeding decisions regarding which chicken strain to use in which Ethiopian environment, G*E analyses for body weight (BW) of growing male and [...] Read more.
Ethiopia is a developing nation that could highly benefit from securing food via improved smallholder poultry farming. To support farmer and breeding decisions regarding which chicken strain to use in which Ethiopian environment, G*E analyses for body weight (BW) of growing male and female chickens were conducted. Research questions were (1) if a G*E is present for BW and (2) which strain performs best in which environment in terms of predicted BW. Analyses were performed using predicted BW at four different ages (90, 120, 150, and 180 days) of five strains (Horro, Koekoek, Kuroiler, Sasso-Rhode Island Red (S-RIR), and Sasso) tested in five Ethiopian regions (Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, South Region, and Tigray) that are part of three Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) (cool humid, cool sub-humid, and warm semi-arid). The indigenous Horro strain was used as a control group to compare four other introduced tropically adapted strains. The dataset consisted of 999 female and 989 male farm-average BW measurements. G*E was strongly present (p < 0.001) for all combinations of strain and region analyzed. In line with previous research, Sasso was shown to have the highest predicted BW, especially at an early age, followed by Kuroiler. Horro had the lowest predicted BW at most ages and in most regions, potentially due to its young breeding program. The highest predicted BW were observed in Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions, which are in the main part of the cool sub-humid AEZ. Full article
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13 pages, 2885 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Association Study on the Content of Nucleotide-Related Compounds in Korean Native Chicken Breast Meat
by Minjun Kim, Jean Pierre Munyaneza, Eunjin Cho, Aera Jang, Cheorun Jo, Ki-Chang Nam, Hyo Jun Choo and Jun Heon Lee
Animals 2023, 13(18), 2966; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182966 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1784
Abstract
Meat flavor is an important factor that influences the palatability of chicken meat. Inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP), inosine, and hypoxanthine are nucleic acids that serve as taste-active compounds, mainly enhancing flavor in muscle tissue. For this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) [...] Read more.
Meat flavor is an important factor that influences the palatability of chicken meat. Inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP), inosine, and hypoxanthine are nucleic acids that serve as taste-active compounds, mainly enhancing flavor in muscle tissue. For this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a mixed linear model to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are significantly associated with changes in the contents of the nucleotide-related compounds of breast meat in the Korean native chicken (KNC) population. The genomic region on chicken chromosome 5 containing an SNP (rs316338889) was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with all three traits. The trait-related candidate genes located in this significant genomic region were investigated through performing a functional enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) database search. We found six candidate genes related to the function that possibly affected the content of nucleotide-related compounds in the muscle, namely, the TNNT3 and TNNT2 genes that regulate muscle contractions; the INS, IGF2, and DUSP8 genes associated with insulin sensitivity; and the C5NT1AL gene that is presumably related to the nucleotide metabolism process. This study is the first of its kind to find candidate genes associated with the content of all three types of nucleotide-related compounds in chicken meat using GWAS. The candidate genes identified in this study can be used for genomic selection to breed better-quality chickens in the future. Full article
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