• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.930-938
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• 2019

Objective: Estimate genetic parameters, the rate of inbreeding, and the effect of inbreeding on growth and egg production traits of a Thai native chicken breed Lueng Hang Kao Kabinburi housed under intensive management under a tropical climate. Methods: Genetic parameters were estimated for weight measured at four weekly intervals from body weight at day 1 (BW1D) to body weight at 24 weeks (BW24) of age, as well as weight at first egg, age at first egg (AFE), egg weight at first egg, and total number of eggs (EN) produced during the first 17 weeks of lay using restricted maximum likelihood. Inbreeding depression was estimated using a linear regression of individual phenotype on inbreeding coefficient. Results: Direct additive genetic effect was significant for all traits. Maternal genetic effect and permanent environmental hen effects were significant for all early growth traits, expect for BW24. For BW24, maternal genetic effect was also significant. Permanent environmental hen effect was significant for AFE. Direct heritabilities ranged from 0.10 to 0.47 for growth traits and ranged from 0.15 to 0.16 for egg production traits. Early growth traits had high genetic correlations between them. The EN was lowly negatively correlated with other traits. The average rate of inbreeding for the population was 0.09% per year. Overall, the inbreeding had no effect on body weight traits, except for BW1D. An increase in inbreeding coefficient by 1% reduced BWID by 0.09 g (0.29% of the mean). Conclusion: Improvement in body weight gain can be achieved by selecting for early growth traits. Selection for higher body weight traits is expected to increase the weight of first egg. Due to low but unfavorable correlations with body weight traits, selection on EN needs to be combined with other traits via multi-trait index selection to improve body weight and EN simultaneously.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 1995

The present study was conducted to estimate production performances, heritabilities, and genetic and phenotypic correlations on several economic traits in Korean native chicken. Data analyzed were the records of 1,096 pullets produced from 180 dams and 26 sires of Korean native chicken from April 19,1994 to February 26, 1995. Results obtained are surnmarized as follows: 1. The body weights(X${\pm}$SD) at 2, 8, 14 and 20 weeks of age were 114${\pm}$13, 690${\pm}$114, 1,163${\pm}$238, and 1,687${\pm}$349g, respectively. The age at first egg was 165.95${\pm}$14.54 days, and the number of eggs produced by 300 days of age were 70.78i23.47. The egg weights of the first egg and at 300 days of age were 37.88${\pm}$3.73 and 50.97${\pm}$3.69 g, respectively. 2. The heritability estimates of body weight based on the variance of sires, dams and combined components were 0.149, 0.298, and 0.224 at 8 weeks of age: 0.162, 0.220, and 0.192 at 20 weeks of age, respectively. 3. The heritability estimates of egg production traits based on the variance of sires, dams, and combined components were 0.232, 0.504, and 0.368 for age at first egg; 0.113, 0.172, and 0.143 for number of egg production by 300 days of age: 0.174, 0.352, and 0.236 for egg weight at 300 days of age, respectively. 4. The genetic correlation coefficients of some economic traits were as follows: between body weight and age at first egg, -0.354~-0.048; between body weight and number of egg production, -0.279~ -0.002; between body weight and egg weight, 0.338~0.977; between age at first egg and number of egg production, -0.791; between age at first egg and egg weight, 0.009~0.178; between number of egg production and egg weight, -0.572~ -0.256, respectively. 5. The phenotypic correlation coefficients of some economic traits were as follows: between body weight and age at first egg, -0.179~-0.006 between body weight and number of egg production, -0.045~0.074: between body weight and egg weight, 0.229~0.404: between age at first egg and number of egg production, -0.588: between age at first egg and egg weight, -0.029~0.597: between number of egg production and egg weight, -0.376~0. 019, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1535-1541
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• 2018

Objective: In birds, three types of melatonin receptors (MTNR1A, MTNR1B, and MTNR1C) have been cloned. Previous researches have showed that three melatonin receptors played an essential role in reproduction and ovarian physiology. However, the association of polymorphisms of the three receptors with duck reproduction traits and egg quality traits is still unknown. In this test, we chose MTNR1A, MTNR1B, and MTNR1C as candidate genes to detect novel sequence polymorphism and analyze their association with egg production traits in Shaoxing duck, and detected their mRNA expression level in ovaries. Methods: In this study, a total of 785 duck blood samples were collected to investigate the association of melatonin receptor genes with egg production traits and egg quality traits using a direct sequencing method. And 6 ducks representing two groups (3 of each) according to the age at first eggs (at 128 days of age or after 150 days of age) were carefully selected for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Seven novel polymorphisms (MTNR1A: g. 268C>T, MTNR1B: g. 41C>T, and g. 161T>C, MTNR1C: g. 10C>T, g. 24A>G, g. 108C>T, g. 363 T>C) were detected. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of MTNR1A (g. 268C>T) was significantly linked with the age at first egg (p<0.05). And a statistically significant association (p<0.05) was found between MTNR1C g.108 C>T and egg production traits: total egg numbers at 34 weeks old of age and age at first egg. In addition, the mRNA expression level of MTNR1A in ovary was significantly higher in late-mature group than in early-mature group, while MTNR1C showed a contrary tendency (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that identified SNPs in MTNR1A and MTNR1C may influence the age at first egg and could be considered as the candidate molecular marker for identify early maturely traits in duck selection and improvement.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.944-947
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• 2007

This study was conducted to study the effects of dietary garlic powder on laying performance, egg traits and blood serum cholesterol level of quails. A total of three hundred quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged nine weeks were used. They were allocated to 3 dietary treatments. Each treatment comprised 5 replicates of 20 quails. The diets were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g/kg garlic powder. The experimental period lasted 21 weeks. The addition of garlic powder did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index and egg Haugh unit. Adding 5 and 10 g/kg garlic powder to the laying quail diets increased egg weight (p<0.01). Egg yolk cholesterol and blood serum cholesterol concentration were reduced with garlic powder supplementation. The results of this study demonstrated that garlic powder addition had a significant cholesterol-reducing effect in serum and egg yolk without adverse effects on performance and egg traits of laying quails.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1576-1584
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• 2008

In this study, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was applied to estimate the relationship between three different sexual maturity traits (X set: days to first egg (DFE), weight of the first egg (WFE), body weight at first egg (BWFE)) and level of nutrient intake (Y set: energy (EI) and protein intake (PI)) or the egg production traits at two different periods (Z set: number of egg (NE1 and NET) and weight of egg (WE1 and WET) from 22 to 25 (Wfirst) and 22 to 33 wk of age (Wall), respectively), which were measured from 64 egg-type pullets (Isa Brown) manipulated for time of access to energy and protein sources to onset of egg production. Partial CCA (PCCA) was used to eliminate the contribution of differences in the levels of nutrient intake to canonical variables for X and Z sets at the first production period. Estimated canonical correlation coefficients between X set and Y set (0.429, p = 0.042), X set and Z set (0.390, p = 0.007 for Wfirst) and within Z set (between Wfirst and Wall; 0.780, p<0.001), and partial canonical correlation coefficient between X set and Z set (0.415, p = 0.009) were significant. Canonical weights and loadings from CCA indicated that the BWFE had the largest contribution compared to the DFE and WFE to variation of egg number produced at two different periods. The results from PCCA indicated that the contribution of PI and EI to the degree of the correlation between canonical variables for X and Z sets were unfavourable. In conclusion, the effect of body weight at sexual maturity upon the availability of nutrients can have a higher contribution to variation of egg production in pullets if the contribution of differences in nutrient intakes to onset of egg production were eliminated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.396-400
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• 2010

This experiment investigated the effects of increasing dietary vitamin E (VE) on production performance and egg quality traits of Indian reared Kadaknath (KN) hens. One hundred and eighty (180), day old female KN chicks were randomly distributed to three dietary treatment groups for a period of 30 weeks. Each treatment comprised three replicates, each containing 20 chicks. The basal diet ($T_1$) contained 15 IU VE/kg and the two experimental diets were supplemented with 150 and 300 IU VE/kg (diets $T_2$ and $T_3$, respectively). DL-${\alpha}$-tocopherol acetate was used as the source of VE. All chicks were provided feed and water ad libitum. Production performance in terms of body weight, egg weight and hatchability did not differ significantly (p>0.05), whereas sexual maturity, egg production and fertility differed significantly (p<0.05) in $T_2$ compared to the other two groups. Egg quality traits in terms of albumin weight, yolk weight, shell thickness, albumin index and yolk index did not differ significantly (p>0.05), whereas the Haugh unit score was significantly higher (p<0.05) in $T_2$ than the control ($T_1$) and high dose treatment group ($T_3$). From this study, it can be concluded that lower levels of dietary VE may be beneficial for production performance and Haugh unit score but have no effect on egg quality traits in Indian reared KN hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2014

The identification and utilization of potential candidate genes with significant effects on economically important traits have become increasingly important in poultry breeding programs. The ovocalyxin-32 (OCX-32) gene is located chromosome 9 in chicken, plays an important role in eggshell formation. This study was performed to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of OCX-32 gene and egg production traits in the Korean native chicken. Four Korean native chicken population (n = 181; including 46 females of Ogol, 46 females of white, 43 females of gray and 46 females of black) were used to analyze two SNPs (c.494A>C and c.267T>G) in the OCX-32 gene by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism). We measured egg production traits of age at first egg, first egg weight, egg production ratio and egg weight. The SNP c.494A>C was significantly associated with egg production ratio in Korean Ogol chickens (p<0.001) and egg weight in Korean white chickens (p<0.05). SNP c.267T>C was significantly associated with egg weight in Korean Ogol chickens (p<0.05). But there was no significant association in Korean gray and black chickens. Results suggest the possibility of using molecular markers in OCX-32 gene as a tool for performance and egg production traits in Korean native chicken breeding program.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.899-907
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• 2023

Objective: The better understanding of laying pattern of birds is crucial for developing breed-specific proper breeding scheme and management. Methods: Daily egg production until 50 wk of age of six chicken breeds including one layer (White Leghorn, WL), three dual-purpose (Rhode Island Red, RIR; Columbian Plymouth Rock, CR; and Barred Plymouth Rock, BR), one synthetic dwarf (DY), and one indigenous (Beijing-You Chicken, BYC) were used to characterize their clutch traits and egg production. The age at first egg, egg number, average and maximum clutch length, pause length, and number of clutches and pauses were calculated accordingly. Results: The egg number and average clutch length in WL, RIR, CR, and BR were higher than those in DY and BYC (p<0.01). The numbers of clutches and pauses, and pause length in WL, RIR, CR, and BR were lower than those in DY and BYC (p<0.01). The coefficient variations of clutch length in WL, RIR, CR, and BR (57.66%, 66.49%, 64.22%, and 55.35%, respectively) were higher than DY (41.84%) and BYC (36.29%), while the coefficient variations of egg number in WL, RIR, CR, and BR (9.10%, 9.97%, 10.82%, and 9.92%) were lower than DY (15.84%) and BYC (16.85%). The clutch length was positively correlated with egg number (r = 0.51 to 0.66; p<0.01), but not correlated with age at first egg in all breeds. Conclusion: The six breeds showed significant different clutch and egg production traits. Due to the selection history, the high and median productive layer breeds had higher clutch length than those of the less productive indigenous BYC. The clutch length is a proper selection criterion for further progress in egg production. The age at first egg, which is independent of clutch traits, is especially encouraged to be improved by selection in the BYC breed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1478-1483
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• 2006

This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of supplementation of L-carnitine and humic substances alone or in combination in laying hen diets on performance, egg traits and blood parameters. A total of 180 IGH type brown laying hens aged 22 weeks were employed in a completely randomized block design with one control group and three treatment groups. Each group was divided into five replicates as subgroups, each comprising 9 hens. The diets of the first, second and third treatment groups were supplemented with 0.1 g/kg L-carnitine, 1.5 g/kg humic substances (Farmagulator$^{(R)}$ Dry Plus) and 0.1 g/kg L-carnitine+1.5 g/kg humic substances, respectively. The experimental period lasted 18 weeks. Feeding supplemental carnitine, humic substances or carnitine+humic substances resulted in increases in body weight gain (p<0.05). Dietary treatments did not significantly affect daily feed intake, daily metabolizable energy intake, egg production, egg weight, feed efficiency, mortality, egg shape index, egg breaking strength, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index, egg Haugh unit and the percentages of egg shell, albumen and yolk. Supplementation of humic substances reduced egg yolk cholesterol as mg per g yolk and mg per yolk (p<0.05). Blood serum parameters were not affected by the supplementation of carnitine, humic substances or carnitine+humic substances. The results in this study demonstrated that humic substances supplementation reduced egg cholesterol without adverse effects on performance, egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens. It was concluded that the usage of L-carnitine alone or in combination with humic substances in diets had no beneficial effects in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to compare the two different eggshell lines of commercial layers on egg traits and egg production rate. Hy-line W-98 (white shell line; WSL) and Hy-line Brown (brown shell line; BSL) were used as experimental stocks. The birds in each line were allocated to three floor pens each containing 25-birds. They were fed a ration containing 15.5% CP and 2,700 ㎉/kg ME, and were supplied 16 h of light per day throughout the experimental Periods. The egg traits and egg Production rate were measured from 53 to 56-wk-old and 20 to 56-wk-old, respectively. The mean egg weight and the mean percentage albumen were significantly heavier and higher (P<0.05) in the BSL than in the WSL, respectively. The mean eggshell thickness and the mean percentage shell were also significantly thicker and higher (P<0.05) in the BSL than those in the WSL, respectively. However, the mean percentage yolk and the yolk to albumen ratio showed a reverse trend as shown in the mean percentage albumen or percentage eggshell. Although the WSL birds started laying 4 d earlier than the BSL ones, the overall mean egg Production rate for BSL during 20 to 56 wk of age was significantly higher (P<0.05) by 6.6% than the WSL. It was concluded that the eggs of brown eggshell line had heavier egg weight and thicker shell, and they had more percentage of albumen, but less percentage of yolk than those of the white eggshell line. These results suggest that the brown eggshell line raised on the floor might be more beneficial than the white eggshell line not only for the preference of the table egg consumers, but also for the efficient production of the eggs.