USING MOLECULAR GENETICS TO STUDY THE MOST IMPORTANT GENETIC DIFFERENCES IN TWO LINES OF JAPANESE QUAIL

Abstract

This study was carried out at Poultry Breeding Farm, Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University and National Gene Bank, Agricultural Research Center. The aim of this study was to detect the genetic differences between two lines of Japanese Quail (Beige and Grey color) and also to determine the molecular description for these two lines by using means of molecular genetics under Egyptian conditions. The experiment was started on parent stock (male and female) of two quail lines and distributed in two batteries under the same environmental conditions, number of the bird analyzed. Fertilized eggs were collected during two weeks to be hatched. During the process of hatching, egg production has been recorded for four weeks. The feed and water were provided ad libitum. They were fed a diet containing 20 % crude protein and 2900 kcal ME/kg. All chicks (offspring) were reared under similar environmental, managerial and hygienic conditions. They were divided into two groups, first group (100 quails each line) housed in two batteries to calculated feed consumption and feed conversion ratio , the second group were brooded in electrical brooding batteries up to two weeks of age. At the end of the second week of age, housed on floor to marketing (6 weeks of age).The feed and water were provided ad libitum. To estimate variability between quail lines, six microsatellite markers were used. The markers constructed for 6 autosomal 1, 3, 4, 6, CJA 06 and QL08 chromosomes.

Main results could be summarized as follows: 1. The significantly (P>0.05) of higher mean egg production was recorded to Grey line quail compared to Beige one. 2. Percentage of fertility, hatchability based on fertile egg and hatchability based on total eggs set were higher in Grey line compared to Beige line. 3. Percentages of addled and infertile eggs were higher in Beige line compared to Grey line. 4. The results showed that body weight of Grey line was significantly higher than that of Beige line at 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks. 5. The results showed significantly higher body weight gain in Grey line compared to Beige line except 3-4 weeks of age. 6. Feed intake was significantly higher in Beige compared to Grey line at 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 1-6 weeks of age. 7. The improvement was observed for feed conversion ratio in Grey line compared to Beige line at 3, 5 and 1-6 weeks of age. No significant differences were observed between the two lines in all periods handled in this study except at 3, 5 and 1-6 weeks of age. 8. There were a significant differences in live body and Blood weight between Grey and Beige quail lines. However, non-significant differences occurred for Feather, legs, head and inedible meat parts weight between quail lines.