Award details

Pilot study for genetical genomics in poultry: dissecting the genetic regulations of ovulation in poultry

Reference	BBS/E/R/00000696
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Dirk De Koning
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Roslin Institute
Department	The Roslin Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	3,125
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/12/2005
End date	30/04/2006
Duration	5 months

Abstract

Pilot study for gene expression differences in pituitary of meat-type (broeiler) and egg-type (layer) chicken. Selective breeding has resulted in breeds of chicken that are specialised in egg production (layers) and breeds that are used for meat production (broilers). There are extreme differences between broilers and layers in terms of egg production and growth as well as many related traits. The selection for meat production (in broilers) has resulted in problems in fertility. If the broiler hens are allowed to eat as much as they would like, they cannot produce viable eggs. This is the result of a large number of ovulations where none of the 'follicles' (pre-eggs) develop into viable eggs. This study was carried out to demonstrate that the anterior pituitary is a suitable tissue for an eQTL study and to elucidate the potential genes involved in ovulation rate differences in an experimental cross between broilers and layers. For this purpose we carried out a pilot study to demonstrate that genes that are relevant for ovulation rate are differentially expressed in the anterior pituitary of broilers compared to layers. The analysis will consist of a comparison between pituitaries of the two founder lines of the AIL: broiler and White Leghorn. For the comparison between broilers and layers we will use 8 broiler females and 8 White Leghorn females, both at sexual maturity. RNA from broiler pituitaries is available from the DEFRA study but pituitaries from sexually mature White Leghorns will need to be resourced. These birds are available in Compton (IAH) at cost.We will use a direct comparison of 8 WL vs. 8 broilers, without pooling. Rather than a dye-swap we will use a dye balance where half the comparisons are broiler (cy5) vs. layer (cy3) and the other half is layer (cy5) vs broiler (cy3). This will require 8 microarray slides.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

I accept the terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)

export PDF file

back to list new search