Response to selection of body weight traits in Japanese quails using genetic markers

Effect of genetic markers to enhance response to selection for weekly body traits in Japanese quails were investigated using deterministic simulation. The QTL variance for body weight at 0, 1, 3, 4 weeks of age was 1.25, 1.63, 1.18 and 1.13 percent of whole variance, respectively. Due to QTL variance, increased response to selection was 3.16, 2.92, 3.10 and 4.05 g for body weight at 0, 1, 3, 4 weeks of age, respectively. The highest value was related to body weight at 4 weeks of age because of its low heritability. Inbreeding coefficient for breeding programs are decreased because the birds are selected based on own performance generally. Therefore, using genetic markers in breeding programs, is suitable because of enhanced response to selection and decreased inbreeding coefficient in all traits like those with difficult and easily measurement.