Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Hendrix Genetics Limited, Kitchener, ON, Canada.
Poult Sci. 2024 Jul;103(7):103779. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103779. Epub 2024 May 9.
This study aimed to explore the genetic basis of walking ability and potentially related performance traits in turkey purebred populations. Phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic datasets from 2 turkey lines hatched between 2010 and 2023 were included in the study. Walking ability data, defined based on a scoring system ranging from 1 (worst) to 6 (best), were collected on 192,019 animals of a female line and 235,461 animals of a male line. Genomic information was obtained for 46,427 turkeys (22,302 from a female line and 24,125 from a male line) using a 65K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel. Variance components and heritability for walking ability were estimated. Furthermore, genetic and phenotypic correlations among walking ability, mortality and disorders, and performance traits were calculated. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was also conducted to identify SNPs associated with walking ability. Walking ability is moderately heritable (0.23 ± 0.01) in both turkey lines. The genetic correlations between walking ability and the other evaluated traits ranged from -0.02 to -0.78, with leg defects exhibiting the strongest negative correlation with walking ability. In the female line, 31 SNPs were associated with walking ability and overlapped with 116 genes. These positional genes are linked to 6 gene ontology (GO) terms. Notably, genes such as CSRP2, DDX1, RHBDL1, SEZ6L, and CTSK are involved in growth, development, locomotion, and bone disorders. GO terms, including fibronectin binding (GO:0001968), peptide cross-linking (GO:0018149), and catabolic process (GO:0009057), are directly linked with mobility. In the male line, 66 markers associated with walking ability were identified and overlapped with 281 genes. These genes are linked to 12 GO terms. Genes such as RB1CC1, TNNI1, MSTN, FN1, SIK3, PADI2, ERBB4, B3GNT2, and BACE1 are associated with cell growth, myostatin development, and disorders. GO terms in the male line are predominantly related to lipid metabolism. In conclusion, walking ability is moderately heritable in both populations. Furthermore, walking ability can be enhanced through targeted genetic selection, emphasizing its relevance to both animal welfare and productivity.
本研究旨在探索火鸡纯种群体行走能力及相关潜在性能特征的遗传基础。研究纳入了 2010 年至 2023 年间孵化的 2 个火鸡品系的表型、系谱和基因组数据集。行走能力数据基于评分系统（范围为 1（最差）至 6（最佳））进行收集，对 192019 只母系和 235461 只父系火鸡进行了收集。利用 65K 单核苷酸多态性（SNP）面板，为 46427 只火鸡（母系 22302 只，父系 24125 只）获取了基因组信息。估计了行走能力的方差分量和遗传力。此外，还计算了行走能力、死亡率和疾病与性能特征之间的遗传和表型相关性。还进行了全基因组关联研究（GWAS），以鉴定与行走能力相关的 SNP。行走能力在两个火鸡品系中均具有中度遗传力（0.23 ± 0.01）。行走能力与其他评估特征之间的遗传相关性范围为-0.02 至-0.78，腿部缺陷与行走能力的相关性最强。在母系中，31 个 SNP 与行走能力相关，并与 116 个基因重叠。这些定位基因与 6 个基因本体（GO）术语相关。值得注意的是，CSRP2、DDX1、RHBDL1、SEZ6L 和 CTSK 等基因参与了生长、发育、运动和骨骼疾病。GO 术语，包括纤维连接蛋白结合（GO：0001968）、肽交联（GO：0018149）和分解代谢过程（GO：0009057），与移动性直接相关。在父系中，鉴定出 66 个与行走能力相关的标记，并与 281 个基因重叠。这些基因与 12 个 GO 术语相关。RB1CC1、TNNI1、MSTN、FN1、SIK3、PADI2、ERBB4、B3GNT2 和 BACE1 等基因与细胞生长、肌肉生长抑制素发育和疾病有关。父系中的 GO 术语主要与脂质代谢有关。总之，行走能力在两个群体中均具有中度遗传力。此外，通过有针对性的遗传选择可以提高行走能力，这强调了其对动物福利和生产力的重要性。
