Research Article

Genetic trends of abdominal fat content in a male broiler chicken line

Published: December 15, 2005
Genet. Mol. Res. 4 (4) : 760-764
Cite this Article:
Lde Genova Gaya, G.Barreto Mourão, F.Marcondes de Rezende, E.Chicaroni de Mattos, T.Michelan Filho, L.Gustavo Gi Figueiredo, J.Bento Ster Ferraz, J.Pereira Eler (2005). Genetic trends of abdominal fat content in a male broiler chicken line. Genet. Mol. Res. 4(4): 760-764.
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Abstract

Data of chickens from a broiler-breeding program were collected and used to determine the genetic trends of absolute and relative abdominal fat content. The genetic trends were estimated by the regression of trait genetic value averages on hatch-years. Genetic values from 32,485 individuals were used for regression analysis. The genetic trend estimate for absolute abdominal fat content was +0.39 g per year, indicating that abdominal fat deposition in the analyzed line, in absolute terms, tended to increase, making the existing excess fat deposition in the broilers even worse. However, the genetic trend of relative abdominal fat content was not significant, indicating that there is no increase on abdominal fat content when it is corrected for body weight.

Data of chickens from a broiler-breeding program were collected and used to determine the genetic trends of absolute and relative abdominal fat content. The genetic trends were estimated by the regression of trait genetic value averages on hatch-years. Genetic values from 32,485 individuals were used for regression analysis. The genetic trend estimate for absolute abdominal fat content was +0.39 g per year, indicating that abdominal fat deposition in the analyzed line, in absolute terms, tended to increase, making the existing excess fat deposition in the broilers even worse. However, the genetic trend of relative abdominal fat content was not significant, indicating that there is no increase on abdominal fat content when it is corrected for body weight.

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