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Correlations between Heterozygosity at Microsatellite Loci, Mean d2 and Body Weight in a Chinese Native Chicken |
G. Q. Liu, X. P. Jiang, J. Y. Wang, Z. Y. Wang |
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Abstract |
A total of two hundred twenty eight half-sib chickens were scored for allele size at 20 microsatellite loci to estimate individual heterozygosity and mean d2. The averages of microsatellite heterozygosity, allele per locus and mean d2 were 0.39, 3.6 and 49, respectively. The body weight was measured biweekly from birth to twelve weeks of age. Gompertz function was assumed to simulate body weight and to estimate the growth model parameters. Due to sex effect on body weight, the regression of body weight on heterozygosity as well as on mean d2 in males and females was analyzed separately in the present study. Positive correlations were found between microsatellite heterozygosity and body weight in males and females (p<0.05). Positive correlation also observed between individual heterozygosity and simulated maximum daily gain estimated from Gompertz function in female chickens (p<0.05). There were no significant correlations between mean d2 and body weight. The results suggest that local effect hypothesis could explain the correlations between heterozygosity and fitness-related traits in the domesticated chicken population, rather than the general effect hypothesis does. |
Keywords:
Microsatellite Heterozygosity; Mean d2; Body Weight; Chicken |
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