Study of Quantitative Trait Loci Affecting Growth Traits in Japanese Quail using a Paternal Half-Sib Design

A paternal half-sib design was implemented to identify QTL on chromosome 2 affecting growth traits in Japanese quail. Using a reciprocal cross between two strains, white (laying) and wild (broiler) of Japanese quail, 34 birds were obtained in F1 generation and 422 offspring related to 9 paternal half-sib families in 5 consecutive hatches were generated. Progeny from 9 paternal half-sib families were measured for growth traits, and genotyped for four microsatellite markers on chromosome 2. QTL analysis was performed with least squares interval mapping method based on regression in across and individual paternal half-sib families. In addition to the QTL responsible for Kleiber ratio, other QTLs related to growth in positions 13, 51, 53, 54 and 55 cM, (P