Detection of quantitative trait loci affecting carcass traits and internal organs on chromosome 3 in an F2 intercross of Japanese quail

Molecular technologies based on markers indicating differences among individuals at the DNA level can play an important role in genetic improvement of carcass traits through marker or gene assisted selection. The purpose of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) of chromosome 3 affecting carcass traits on Japanese quail using microsatellite markers. Two white and wild strains of Japanese quail were crossed reciprocally and the F1 generation was created. The F2 generation was generated by intercrossing F1 birds. Phenotypic data including weights of hot and cold carcasses,carcass parts and internal organs were collected from 422 F2 birds. The total mapping population (472 birds) was genotyped for microsatellite markers. QTL analysis was performed using the least squares regression interval mapping method. Significant QTL were identified for hot and chilled carcass weights, liver weight, head percentage, uropygial gland percentage, intestine percentage, ovary weight, uropygial gland weight, pancreas percentage (0-36 cM with an additive effect),proventriculus percentage, head weight (6-20 cM with a dominance effect), and gizzard percentage (0 cM with an imprinting effect).