Exploring the genetic architecture of feed efficiency traits in chickens

Author(s)

Petroli Marchesi, Jorge Augusto ^{[1, 2]} ; Ono, Rafael Keith ^{[3, 4]} ; Cantao, Mauricio Egidio ^[3] ; Guaratini Ibelli, Adriana Mercia ^[3] ; Peixoto, Jane de Oliveira ^[3] ; Monteiro Moreira, Gabriel Costa ^[5] ; Godoy, Thais Fernanda ^[5] ; Coutinho, Luiz Lehmann ^[5] ; Munari, Danisio Prado ^[1] ; Ledur, Monica Correa ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Genet, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Embrapa Suinos & Aves, BR-89715899 Concordia, SC - Brazil

^[4] Pamplona Alimentos SA, BR-89164900 Rio Do Sul, SC - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Zootecnia, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Av Padua Dias 11, BR-13419900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 11, n. 1 FEB 25 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Chicken feed efficiency (FE) traits are the most important economic traits in broiler production. Several studies evaluating genetic factors affecting food consumption in chickens are available. However, most of these studies identified genomic regions containing putative quantitative trait loci for each trait separately. It is still a challenge to find common gene networks related to these traits. Therefore, here, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to explore candidate genomic regions responsible for Feed Intake (FI), Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) traits and their gene networks. A total of 1430 broilers from an experimental population was genotyped with the high density Affymetrix 600K SNP array. A total of 119 associated SNPs located in 20 chromosomes were identified, where some of them were common in more than one FE trait. In addition, novel genomic regions were prospected considering the SNPs dominance effects and sex interaction, identifying putative candidate genes only when these effects were fit in the model. Relevant candidate genes such as ATRNL1, PIK3C2A, PTPRN2, SORCS3 and gga-mir-1759 were highlighted in this study helping to elucidate the genomic architecture of feed efficiency traits. These results provide new insights on the mechanisms underlying the consumption and utilization of food in chickens. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/08704-0 - Identification of loci of interest for poultry production
• Grantee: Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants