Award details

A resource population for fine scale mapping of complex economic traits in poultry

Reference	BBS/E/R/02780651
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Paul Hocking
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Roslin Institute
Department	The Roslin Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	29,490
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	01/04/2000
Duration	12 months

Abstract

This project will establish and develop a resource population of birds for fine scale mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci responsible for economic traits in poultry. Several studies are in progress to locate Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) responsible for genetic variation for econimic traits in poultry. Typically, experiments are based on 300-500 individuals and are designed to detect QTL with gene substitution effects of about 0.5 genetic standard deviation in a genome wide scan. The likely confidence intervals from this research are in the range 20-70 cM. These intervals are far too imprecise for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) or the aplication of molecular techniques for isolating the gene. MAS will be used in commercial selection programmes for greater selection efficiency and to change traits that are difficult or expensive to measure. Gene isolation is important for understanding the molecular basis of traits of economic importance and particularly those that are negatively correlated to major economic selection criteria. Greater knowledge of gene action may suggest ways of overcoming undesireable genetic associations. The aim of the next phase of the application of molecular biology in farm animals is to go from genome-wide scans for marker-QTL associations to fine scalce mapping of QTL to a region of 1-2 cM (300-600kb). Of several experimental methods for fine scale mapping, the advanced inter se line (AIL) has a number of advantages. In this method, an F2 is inter-crossed to produce F3 progeny and so on for at least 6-8 generations. The accumulated recombinations in the later generations are then used to locate the putative QTL with much greater precision. Genotyping and phenotyping are then only performed on the current generation and the population can be used to map different QTL over several years. An AIL populaiton can therefore be used to fine map QTL whose general location has been identified in other experimental and commercial crosses. It has been shown that as few as 100 animals per generation can be highly effective. A chicken population of this size is feasible at modest cost. Such a population will be bred for 4-12 years as a resource for fine mapping in the chicken and possibly other species using the principle of conserved synteny. An advanced inter se broiler x layer cross is an ideal choice for such a population becuase the two commercial types of fowl differ markedly for many growth and reproductive traits. It complements several MAFF funded projects based on broiler and layer lines and will be useful for fine mapping many QTL identified in other experimental and commercial poultry crosses. Multi-strain comparisons of meat qualtity and behavioural traits that utilise rare and traditional strains of poultry may indicate regions of the genome that harbour QTL that may also be validated in the AIL population.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
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

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