Daryatmo Iin Mulyawati, Juiputta Jiraporn, Chankitisakul Vibuntita, Boonkum Wuttigrai
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kean University, Khon Kean 40002, Thailand.
Network Center for Animal Breeding and Omics Research, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Oct 3;14(19):2853. doi: 10.3390/ani14192853.
Improving reproductive traits, particularly semen quality and quantity, is crucial for optimizing poultry production and addressing the current limitations in native chicken reproduction. The aim of this study was to develop a genetic model to estimate genetic parameters guiding the selection of individual Thai native roosters. Using data collected from 3475 records of 242 Thai native grandparent roosters aged 1-4 years, we evaluated semen traits (mass movement, semen volume, and sperm concentration) over 54 weeks. A random regression test-day model incorporating five covariance functions, including a linear spline function with four, five, six, and eight knots (SP4, SP5, SP6, and SP8) and second-order Legendre polynomial function (LG2), was used to estimate genetic parameters. The results showed that the SP8 model consistently outperformed the other models across all traits, with the lowest mean square error, highest coefficient of determination, and superior predictive ability. Heritability estimates for mass movement, semen volume, and sperm concentration ranged from 0.10 to 0.25, 0.22 to 0.25, and 0.11 to 0.24, respectively, indicating moderate genetic influence on these traits. Genetic correlations between semen volume and sperm concentration were highest in the SP8 model, highlighting a strong genetic association between these traits. The SP8 model also revealed a high genetic correlation between mass movement and semen volume, supporting the potential for selecting mass movement as a predictor of semen volume. In conclusion, this study highlights the effectiveness of random regression models with linear spline functions to evaluate the genetic parameters of semen traits in native Thai roosters. The SP8 model is a robust tool for breeders to enhance the reproductive performance of native Thai chickens, contributing to sustainable poultry production systems.
改善繁殖性状，尤其是精液质量和数量，对于优化家禽生产以及解决本地鸡繁殖方面当前的限制至关重要。本研究的目的是建立一个遗传模型，以估计指导泰国本地公鸡个体选择的遗传参数。利用从242只1至4岁泰国本地祖代公鸡的3475条记录中收集的数据，我们在54周内评估了精液性状（活力、精液量和精子浓度）。采用包含五个协方差函数的随机回归测定日模型，包括具有四个、五个、六个和八个节点的线性样条函数（SP4、SP5、SP6和SP8）以及二阶勒让德多项式函数（LG2），来估计遗传参数。结果表明，在所有性状上，SP8模型始终优于其他模型，具有最低的均方误差、最高的决定系数和卓越的预测能力。活力、精液量和精子浓度的遗传力估计值分别为0.10至0.25、0.22至0.25和0.11至0.24，表明这些性状受到中等程度的遗传影响。在SP8模型中，精液量和精子浓度之间的遗传相关性最高，突出了这些性状之间的强遗传关联。SP8模型还揭示了活力和精液量之间存在高度遗传相关性，支持将活力作为精液量预测指标进行选择的潜力。总之，本研究强调了具有线性样条函数的随机回归模型在评估泰国本地公鸡精液性状遗传参数方面的有效性。SP8模型是育种者提高泰国本地鸡繁殖性能的有力工具，有助于可持续家禽生产系统。
