Genetic Mapping of the QTL Affecting Abdominal Fat Deposition in Chickens.

Abstract

To identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting abdominal fat deposition in chickens, we carried out QTL analysis on this trait using a resource population of 222 F2 progeny from a cross between a Satsumadori (a Japanese native breed showing little abdominal fat deposition) male and a White Plymouth Rock (a broiler breed showing significant abdominal fat deposition) female. We chose 78 microsatellite loci from 331 loci publicly available of 14 linkage groups, based on their utility and location. One QTL affecting the ratio of abdominal fat deposition to live body weight (abdominal fat %) at 16 weeks of age was mapped at 38.0cM on chromosome 7, with a LOD score of 7.0. The closest loci to the QTL was MCW316. The QTL was located between markers MCW316 and MCW92, being 1.0cM apart from MCW316. The difference in abdominal fat % in F2 was associated with allele types of MCW316 (P<0.0005), which suggests the possibility of marker-assisted selection for abdominal fat deposition in chickens.