Detection of the important chromosomal regions determining production traits in meat-type chicken using entropy analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. The objective of this study was to indicate the most informative chromosomal regions and candidate genes connected to body weight at 36 d, body weight at 39 d, body weight changes between 39 and 46 d, feed intake between 39 and 46 d and feed conversion ratio of meat-type chicken based on genomic data using entropy analysis.2. Data contained information about 862 genotyped individuals from a Cobb commercial line using 60K Illumina iSelect chicken array and information from 42 770 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Entropy analysis was employed to detect important chromosomal regions determining the target traits. Locations of genes within the designated regions on each chromosome and for each trait were verified using the Ensembl genome database.3. The most informative SNPs were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and Z, whereas clusters of the most informative pairs of SNPs connected to all recorded traits were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 20 and Z. The identified chromosomal localisations overlap with genes functionally connected to the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.