Bayesian estimates of genetic parameters for growth traits in Harnali sheep.

The objective of the study was to estimate genetic parameters of the growth traits under Bayesian inference in Harnali sheep. The information of pedigree and targeted traits of 2404 Harnali animals born to 159 sires and 695 dams was collected for the period from 1998 to 2021. The growth traits included weight at birth (BWT), 3 (WWT), 6 (6WT) and 12 (YWT) months of age. The genetic evaluation was carried out using six univariate animal models comprising direct and maternal effects using THRGIBBS1F90 and POSTGIBBSF90 programs. The fixed factors adjusted in the analysis were period of birth, sex of lamb and dam's weight at lambing. Bayesian estimates of direct heritability under best model for BWT, WWT, 6WT and YWT traits were 0.16 ± 0.04, 0.10 ± 0.04, 0.18 ± 0.04, and 0.05 ± 0.03, respectively. The significant maternal influences observed for BWT and WWT traits with 9% and 8% contribution to total phenotypic variances, respectively. Additionally, maternal permanent environmental influences were observed to BWT (4%) and YWT trait (3%). The genetic and phenotypic correlations among studied traits were high and positive. The genetic changes were positive and significant for WWT only. It was concluded that the weight at 6 months of age can be continued as selection criterion for further genetic improvement through selection. Also, maternal effects should be considered in breeding programme for enhancing early growth performance in Harnali sheep.

Influence of single nucleotide polymorphism in the IGF-1 gene on performance and conformation traits in Munjal sheep.

Genetic polymorphism research in livestock species aims to assess genetic differences within and among breeds, primarily for conservation and development objectives. The aim of the present study was to determine the point mutation in the IGF-1 gene (g.855G>C and g.857G>A) and its association with performance traits in Munjal sheep. In total, 50 Munjal sheep were selected and the genomic DNA was isolated using the Automated Maxell RSC DNA/RNA purification system and the Maxwell RSC whole blood DNA kit. A reported set of primers was used to amplify the 294-bp fragment encompassing the targeted region, i.e. the 5' flanking region of the IGF-1 gene. The polymerase chain reaction product of 294-bp size harbouring the g.857G>A mutation in the 5' flanking region of the IGF-1 gene was digested with HaeII enzyme. Three possible genotypes were defined by distinct banding patterns, i.e. GG (194, 100 bp), GA (294, 194, 100 bp) and AA (294 bp) in the studied population of Munjal sheep. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of g.857G>A single nucleotide polymorphism of the IGF-1 gene indicated that the frequency of the A allele was higher in the studied population, i.e. 0.59 and the GA genotype was found to be the predominant genotype (0.66). Allele A of the IGF-1 gene was found to be associated with higher body weights and can be used in selection criteria for improving the performance of Munjal sheep. The positive effect of the IGF-1 gene on several conformational traits as observed in this study suggests that this area of the ovine IGF-I gene is particularly important and warrants further investigation on a larger population size.

Assessment of egg quality and biochemical parameters of Aseel and Kadaknath indigenous chicken breeds of India under backyard poultry farming.

Egg quality parameters are very crucial for the egg industry as egg configuration affects grading, price, hatchability, chick weight, and consumer preference. Current study was undertaken to assess and compare the egg quality parameters in 2 important Indian breeds Aseel and Kadaknath reared under backyard system. Different parameters of external and internal egg quality were measured. Biochemical parameters of egg yolk estimated were egg yolk cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triacylglycerol. Means for external characters of Aseel eggs viz., egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, shell weight, shell thickness, and shell ratio were 41.7 g, 5.16 cm, 3.85 cm, 74.75%, 4.65 g, 0.35 mm, and 11.23%, and corresponding values for Kadaknath eggs were 40.59 g, 5.13 cm, 3.79 cm, 74.02%, 4.28 g, 0.34 mm, and 10.61%, respectively. Average albumin length, width, height, and albumin index were 83.73 mm, 65.4 mm, 6.02 mm, and 9.26% for Aseel eggs and 82.27 mm, 64.80 mm, 5.52 mm and 8.52% for Kadaknath eggs, respectively. Mean values for yolk length, width, height and yolk index were 43.32 mm, 40.10 mm, 15.30 mm, and 38.30% in Aseel and 42.15 mm, 38.97 mm, 14.26 mm and 36.66% in Kadaknath breed, respectively. Mean values for egg yolk cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triacylglycerol were estimated as 9.38, 1.74, 0.17, and 1.94 mg/g in Aseel eggs and 8.38, 1.84, 0.11, and 1.76 mg/g in Kadaknath eggs, respectively. Biochemical analysis revealed that egg yolk quality of Kadaknath eggs was comparatively better than Aseel eggs.

Evaluating animal models comprising direct and maternal effects associated with growth rates and the Kleiber ratio in Harnali sheep.

The present work evaluated animal models comprising direct and maternal effects to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters of growth rates and Kleiber ratio in Harnali sheep. The information on pedigree and targeted traits of 1862 lambs born to 144 sires and 591 dams was collected for the period from 1998 to 2018. The traits studied were average daily gain from birth to 3 months of age (ADG1), 3 months to 6 months of age (ADG2), and 6 months to 12 months of age (ADG3) and their corresponding Kleiber ratios as KR1, KR2 and KR3, respectively. The statistical methods included the general linear model for analyzing the effects of fixed factors and animal models for deriving variance components for targeted traits. According to best model evaluated on the basis of likelihood ratio test, the estimated direct heritability was low in magnitude and ranged from 0.04 to 0.14. Direct heritability estimates for ADG1, ADG2, ADG3, KR1, KR2 and KR3 were 0.06, 0.14, 0.05, 0.04, 0.11 and 0.05, respectively. The maternal genetic effects contributed (4-7%) significantly for ADG1, KR1 and KR2 traits. The genetic correlations ranged from -0.35 ± 0.11 (ADG1-KR2) to 0.98 ± 0.01 (ADG2-KR2 and ADG3-KR3) and phenotypic correlations ranged from -0.36 ± 0.02 to 0.98 ± 0.01 for ADG1-KR2 and ADG2-KR2, respectively. The significant maternal effects along with low levels of direct effects for average daily gain and Kleiber ratio at different age group should be considered while setting selection and managerial strategies to achieve anticipated growth rates in Harnali sheep.

Climate change and heat stress: Impact on production, reproduction and growth performance of poultry and its mitigation using genetic strategies.

Heat stress is an important environmental determinant which adversely affects the performance of poultry worldwide. The present communication reviews the impact of heat stress on production, reproduction and growth performance of poultry, and its alleviation using genetic strategies. The adverse effects of high environmental temperature on poultry include decrease in growth rate, body weight, egg production, egg weight, egg quality, meat quality, semen quality, fertility and hatchability, which cause vast financial losses to the poultry industry. High ambient temperature has an antagonistic effect on performance traits of the poultry. Thus, selection of birds for high performance has increased their susceptibility to heat stress. Additionally, heat burden during transportation of birds from one place to another leads to reduced meat quality, increased mortality and welfare issues. Molecular markers are being explored nowadays to recognize the potential candidate genes related to production, reproduction and growth traits for selecting poultry birds to enhance thermo-tolerance and resistance against diseases. In conclusion, there is a critical need of formulating selection strategies based on genetic markers and exploring more genes in addition to HSP25, 70, 90, H1, RB1CC, BAG3, PDK, ID1, Na, F, dw and K responsible for thermoregulation, to improve the overall performance of poultry along with their ability to tolerate heat stress conditions.

Genetic analysis of growth traits in Harnali sheep.

AIM: The present investigation was to study genetic characteristics of Harnali sheep with respect to growth performance and to estimate genetic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 22 years (1992-2013) data of growth traits of a 1603 synthetic population of Harnali sheep maintained at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, was utilized for this study. A mixed methodology with regression on their dam's weight was used to study the effect of non-genetic factors on growth traits. Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated using paternal half-sib analysis for body weight at various ages and average daily gain (ADG) for different growth periods. RESULT: The overall least squares mean of body weights recorded for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six months body weight (SMW), one yearling body weight (YBW), average daily gain from birth to 3 months (ADG1) and average daily gain from 3 to 12 months (ADG2) were 3.35±0.05 kg, 12.41±0.08 kg, 16.30±0.12 kg, 21.88±0.08 kg, 100.66±0.86 g/day and 35.07±0.39 g/day, respectively. The effects of year of birth significantly (p<0.01) influenced the BW, WW, SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. The effects of sex of lamb significantly (p<0.01) influenced the BW, WW SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. The effects of dam's weight at lambing significantly (p<0.01) influenced BW, WW, SMW, YWB, ADG1 and ADG2. No definite trend was observed over the years for the averages of body weight and gain. The heritability estimates of BW, WW, SMW, YBW, ADG1 and ADG2 were 0.40±0.05, 0.38±0.05, 0.45±0.06, 0.29±0.05, 0.40±0.06 and 0.33±0.02, respectively. The male lambs were significantly heavier than females at all stages of growth. The heritability estimates were moderate for all the growth traits and high genetic correlations of BW and WW with SMW were found. CONCLUSION: Due to high heritability and positive correlations of SMW with other body weights and daily gain, it was concluded that selection on the basis of SMW would be the best approach to improve growth performance in Harnali sheep.