Effect of using genetic markers in breeding programs of native fowl

In order to investigate the effect of genetic markers in genetic improvement of domestic fowl, seven breeding programs were simulated. In first breeding program called base program, phenotypic information of traits was only used. In this program, aggregative genotype equation consisted of body weight at 8 weeks of age, egg weight and egg number and selection index consisted of traits in aggregative genotype together with two other tarits including body weight at 12 weeks of age and age at sexual maturity. In other programs called marker assisted programs, QTL information that described 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% of genetic variation of egg number were also included in selection index. Based on obtained results, in program that QTL described 5% of genetic variance, economic response was improved by 3.37% compared to base program. Economic response in program that QTL described 50% of genetic variance was also improved by 14.28% compared to base program. Rate of Inbreeding was decreased from 0.69% in base program to 0.50% in program that QTL described 50% of genetic variance in each generation. The result of present study showed that QTL information, even with 5% description of genetic variance, can effectively improve economic traits in native fowl.