Effect of the MN t(1;4) translocation on some economic traits of the chicken.
The F2 progeny from an original mating between chickens that were carriers of the MN t(1;4) chromosome translocation and the inbred WI-ES line were compared to determine if the translocation had any effect on selected economic traits. Homozygous translocation (TT), heterozygous translocation (TN), and karyotypically normal (NN) individuals were compared. Traits analyzed were body weight at 8, 18, 39, and 55 wk of age; shell deformation; Haugh units; egg weights at 32 and 55 wk of age; sexual maturity; egg production; and male fecundity. The TT group had greater body weights at 39 and 55 wk than the TN and NN groups, and at 55 wk the TN group was heavier than NN group. Shell deformation was greater for TT birds at 32 wk. At 32 wk, Haugh units of the TT and TN birds, and the TN and NN birds were not significantly different. The TT eggs were heavier than the TN eggs at 32 wk, which in turn were heavier than the NN eggs. Sexual maturity was reached in the order NN, TN, then TT. Eggs from TT males had the lowest fertility and highest percentage of late dead embryos. There were increased early deaths among embryos from heterozygous males. An unexplained higher number of pips among embryos from normal males was noted. No differences were noted among any other traits in either sex. Results suggest that this translocation may have some effect on production traits.
Arias
J A
JA
Department of Meat and Animal Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Bitgood
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics*; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D004531:Eggs / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D010058:Oviposition / Q000235:genetics; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000235:genetics; D014178:Translocation, Genetic