Effects of Multi-Trait Selection on Phenotypic and Genetic Changes in Japanese Quail (<i>Coturnix coturnix japonica</i>)

Abstract

The present study in Japanese quail was aimed to develop multi-trait genetic selection program for a meat type sire line utilizing the mixed-model methodology. In total, 2000 pedigreed quail were formed the basis of the research where a multi-trait animal model was performed. A flock consisting of a total of 160 families (1 male: 3 female) was developed from the initial flock (base population of sire line), so as to obtain a selection flock sire line. Body weight at 5 weeks of age was chosen as a primary selection criterion in flock. The age at point of inflection derived from Gompertz growth curve, feed conversion ratio between 3 to 5 weeks of age, and carcass yield at 5 week of age were determined as selection criteria. Multi-trait BLUP methodology was carried out for genetic improvement of birds. In flock, 25 percent of males and females with highest breeding value were selected to produce next generation. Genetic parameter estimates, realized genetic parameters, selection responses, and genetic trends were obtained. Significant (P＜0.01) selection responses for body weight, age at point of inflection, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yield traits on generations were observed. The results of the study revealed that the negative genetic relationships exhibited between some studied traits had overcame by modern poultry breeding methods such as selection via multi-trait BLUP.

Estimation of genetic parameters for some performance traits in a selected Barred Rock line

“…Statistical analyses: The descriptive statistics, normality (Kolmogorov-Smirnov) and homogeneity (Levene) tests of the traits were performed by using UNIVARIATE procedure of SAS 9.3 software (Statistical Analysis Systems Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The nonparametric rank transformation was applied in R package for color parameters and shape index which parametric Box-Cox transformation did not Gaussian distributed traits (6,19).…”

“…All genetic parameter estimations, breeding value estimations and molecular genetic methods are performed at this stage. This provides the highest homozigotization in terms of additive gene effects with all the processes (19,25). Almost all current studies have been related to this stage.…”

Different Selection Strategies for the Improvement of the Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Japanese Quails

“…Selection is a basic tool to exploit and improve the productive potential of birds. Different selection strategies have been working throughout the world comprising mass selection to fully pedigree selection (Marks, 1991(Marks, , 1996Minvielle et al, 1997;Narinç et al, 2016;Durmuş et al, 2017). Selection programs remarkably improve economic traits in broilers with2.4-fold improvements in growth rate and carcass traits; however, feed conversion ratio has improved only 0.025% per year.…”

Genetic evaluation and selection response for growth in meat-type quail through random regression models using B-spline functions and Legendre polynomials

“…In addition, the selection for BW responds quickly and has a correlated response specially with carcass traits (Khaldari et al, 2010;Karaman et al, 2013;Mota et al, 2015b;Firat et al, 2016;Narinç et al, 2016). It is noteworthy to mention that the response to selection may be different when evaluating male or female quail (Alkan et al, 2009).…”