Genet. Sel. Evol. 37 (2005) 215-228
DOI: 10.1051/gse:2004045

Confirmation of quantitative trait loci affecting fatness in chickens

Danyel G.J. Jennen^{a, b}, Addie L.J. Vereijken^c, Henk Bovenhuis^a, Richard M.P.A. Crooijmans^a, Jan J. van der Poel^a and Martien A.M. Groenen<sup>a

a</sup>  Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands
^b  Institute of Animal Breeding Science, University Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53113 Bonn, Germany
^c  Nutreco, Breeding Research Centre, P.O. Box 220, 5830 AE Boxmeer, The Netherlands

(Received 8 September 2003; accepted 16 August 2004)

Abstract - In this report we describe the analysis of an advanced intercross line (AIL) to confirm the quantitative trait locus (QTL) regions found for fatness traits in a previous study. QTL analysis was performed on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 15, 18, and 27. The AIL was created by random intercrossing in each generation from generation 2 (G ₂) onwards until generation 9 (G ₉) was reached. QTL for abdominal fat weight (AFW) and/or percentage abdominal fat (AF%) on chromosomes 1, 3 and 27 were confirmed in the G ₉ population. In addition, evidence for QTL for body weight at the age of 5 (BW5) and 7 (BW7) weeks and for the percentage of intramuscular fat (IF%) were found on chromosomes 1, 3, 15, and 27. Significant evidence for QTL was detected on chromosome 1 for BW5 and BW7. Suggestive evidence was found on chromosome 1 for AFW, AF% and IF%, on chromosome 15 for BW5, and on chromosome 27 for AF% and IF%. Furthermore, evidence on the chromosome-wise level was found on chromosome 3 for AFW, AF%, and BW7 and on chromosome 27 for BW5. For chromosomes 4 and 18, test statistics did not exceed the significance threshold.

Key words: quantitative trait loci / advanced intercross line / chicken / fatness traits

Correspondence and reprints: djen@itz.uni-bonn.de

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2005