Goose Breeds Research Articles

Goose FMO3 gene cloning, tissue expression profiling, polymorphism detection and association analysis with trimethylamine level in the egg yolk

Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) plays a critical role in catalyzing the conversion of trimethylamine (TMA) to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in vivo. Despite the well-documented association between FMO3 mutations and a ‘fishy’ off-flavor eggs in chicken and quail, little information is available regarding the molecular characteristic of goose (Anser cygnoides) FMO3 and its relationship with the yolk TMA content. To fill these gaps, we cloned the full-length cDNA sequence of goose FMO3, which comprised 1851bp encoding 531 amino acids. FMO3 mRNA was dramatically expressed in liver than in other tissues in the geese. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the entire coding region. The CC genotype at the T669C site, GG at the A723G site, and AA at the G734A site of FMO3 were highly significantly associated with elevated TMA content in goose egg yolk (P<0.001). Carriers of the A allele of G734A or C allele of T885C had yolk TMA content that had a high probability of being elevated after feeding with additional choline chloride (P=0.0429, OR=4.1300, 95%CI=1.0390–16.4270, and P=0.0251, OR=4.6060, 95%CI=1.1620–18.2620, respectively). This work lays a foundation for studying the function of FMO3 and yolk TMA content in goose. However, studies using larger sample sizes and more goose breeds are required to determine whether the fishy off-flavor trait exists in goose.

The effect of age, genotype and sex on carcass traits, meat quality and sensory attributes of geese.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare carcass traits, meat quality and sensory attributes in two different genotypes of geese according to age and sex.MethodsThe experiment was carried out on 160 birds of two genotypes of geese: the Czech Goose (CG) breed and a Eskildsen Schwer (ES) hybrid. One-d-old goslings were divided into four groups according to genotype and sex. Two dates for slaughtering (at 8 and 16 wk of age of goslings) were undertaken.ResultsThe slaughter weight, cold carcass weight and dressing percentage were affected by all the studied factors, and significant interactions between age, genotype and sex were detected in the slaughter weight (p<0.001) and cold carcass weight (p = 0.004). The pH was not affected by any of studied factors, whereas in terms of meat colour parameters there were observed significant effects of age on L* and b* value and a significant effect of sex on a* value. The meat fat content was higher (p = 0.002) in ES. Higher score for overall acceptance of goose meat was recorded for ES at both ages compared to CG.ConclusionES had higher dressing percentage and better sensory attributes, whereas CG exceled in the favourable nutritional value of the meat.

Preparation and evaluation of goose reovirus inactivated vaccine

BackgroundInfection with Goose Reovirus (GRV) can cause serious economic losses in the goose breeding industry. In this study, the GRV allantoic fluid was concentrated and used as an antigen in a formalin-inactivated oil-emulsion vaccine.ResultsWhen 6 day-old geese were inoculated, antibodies against GRV became detectable at 6 days post-vaccination, their concentration peaked at 3 weeks. These antibodies were maintained for longer than 2 weeks. As the most susceptible age for GRV infection is birds under 2 weeks of age this vaccine should provide adequate cover for the most at risk birds. When geese were exposed to reovirus at different time intervals after immunization, the data revealed that the vaccine can provide a protection rate of 80%. The developed vaccine has good stability and could be stored at 4 °C for at least 12 months.ConclusionThese results indicate that the developed GRV vaccine is safe, effectively absorbed, efficacious in inducing a rapid immune response, and effective in controlling GRV infection. Our results should be useful for the application of vaccines for controlling GRV in different goose flocks.

Growth Patterns of Two Chinese Native Goose Breeds

ABStRACt To study the development rules of Chinese native geese, two breeds, Shitou and Sichuan White geese were analyzed from 0 to 12 weeks of age. The growth curves were fitted with commonly used four kinds of nonlinear models (Logistic, Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy and Richards). The results showed that the growth curves were appropriately fitted with all four models but the Logistic and Richards both had the best fitting with growth curve (R 2 >0.99). Analyzing the fitting parameters of the Logistic and Richards, we found that male Shitou had the highest adult body weight while Sichuan White female had the lowest weight. In Shitou breed, Shape parameter Predicted with Richards model was corresponded with Gompertz curve, while in Sichuan breed it was in between Gompertz and Bertalanffy. Growth parameters predicted with Logistic model was much more closed to observed value as compared others. So overall logistic was the best model to analyze the growth curve in Chinese native goose and Shitou goose had excellent growth performance when compared to Sichuan White.

Productivity and slaughter index of young gees feeding of soybean lecithin and sunflower

The results of the impact of soy lecithin and sunflower on productivity and quality slaughter calves geese. Experimental studies were conducted with 200 geese breed «Danish lehart» which formed 5 groups. Since days old, I (control) group of geese received during the research period, complete feed is made in terms of private enterprise «Orbita», II, III, IV and V (experimental) group received a complete feed with the addition of its composition of different doses of lecithin sunflower instead of a similar amount of soybean meal. Experimental young geese fed complete ration that was balanced in essential nutrients. Over the entire period of growing the highest average increase in body weight observed in geese II experimental group, which was 95.2 g, which is 9.7% higher compared with the control. Advantage geese III, IV and V of experimental groups fed 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% soy lecithin, this indicator was 0.3%, 4.8% and 7.4% compared to analog control group. A similar trend was observed in terms of the absolute increase in body weight, where the highest increase was observed in the experimental group of geese II – 5711 g, which is 9.6% higher compared with the control. Feeding soy lecithin III, IV and V of the experimental group also tended to increase in absolute growth, namely 0.3%, 4.8% and 6.4% relative and 0.5% – 0.8%. To assess meat quality of young geese for the use of sunflower lecithin and soybean aged 60 days was held control slaughter to determine slaughtered parameters. In terms of pulp output young geese II experimental group exceeded by 16.3% (P &lt; 0.01), analogues control group, the experimental group III geese by 4.4%, geese IV experimental group 6.4% (P &lt; 0.05) and the experimental group geese V 8.5% respectively. By weight of skin with subcutaneous fat geese dominated research groups geese control group 12.3%, 7.1%, 5.2% and 9.9% respectively. Calculation of meat and osteal index showed that in II experimental group the figure was 1.86 and was 7.5% higher than the control at 3.5%, III research group – on 2.7%, IV group – to 1.6% and 0.5% V group respectively. Analyzing the findings can assert about the appropriateness of sunflower lecithin in the composition of complete feed young geese in an amount of 0.4%. Prospects of further research is to study the effects of different amounts and sources of sunflower lecithin in feeding breeder geese breed «Danish lehart».

Monitoring and Material Simulation of Automatic-Cooling System for Waterfowl Incubator

In order to reduce the required manpower and biosecurity control risk for waterfowl breeding eggs, this study developed waterfowl automatic eggs cooling incubator which using the concept of pre-heating and pre-wetting type front control thermal system and add the automatic watering eggs cooling system, trolley egg rack, pneumatic eggs overturning system and monitoring system. The front control thermal system preheats and pre-wet the air to the required environment for hatching and import into incubator for the hatching test. The test results show that the hatching environment uniformity of automatic eggs cooling incubator developed by this study is better than the traditional incubator’s environment. The monitoring system can stable control the variation for three hatching parameters of temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide concentration. Besides the combination of automatic watering eggs cooling system for hatching process can significantly reduce the required manpower for watering eggs cooling and biosecurity control risk, the average hatching ratio is 82.06% that can satisfy the requirement of general professional goose breeding eggs incubator. The test using computational fluid dynamics simulation software (CFD) to simulate the variable turbulent wind speed. On the premise of using temperature as the respondence to conduct the optimization design of response surface methodology. The results shows that the incubator temperature standard deviation decreased from 0.26°C to 0.14°C when three turbulent wind speed changed from 4.25 m/s, 3.50 m/s and 4.63 m/s to 2 .00m/s, 5 .00m/s and 3.81 m/s. There is a further increase for the uniformity of the temperature field.

Association analysis of g.68G → A SNP in CAPN1 gene with carcass and meat quality traits in goose raised in organic &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;dehesa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

Abstract. Meat quality is an important concern for the poultry industry. Domestic geese products obtained from free-range systems usually have rather tough meat, and it is necessary to select them to improve meat tenderness. The relation of the calpain 1 (CAPN1) gene with the post-mortem tenderness process of meat has been demonstrated in several species. Thus, the objective of the present study was to identify polymorphisms in this gene and to perform an association analysis between these polymorphisms and related economic traits in goose raised in the dehesa ecosystem. For the analysis, 50 geese of 3 different subpopulations (20 Embden Anser anser; 20 Toulouse Anser anser; 10 F1 cross) were studied. The experimental protocols were followed complying with principles of animal welfare. A novel SNP was found in the CAPN1 gene, g.68G → A. This polymorphism was statistically associated with different carcass and meat quality traits such as thigh muscle width (P = 0.020) and the b* 10-day meat colour parameter (P = 0.024) for the global goose population. The association of this gene with meat tenderness (Warner–Bratzler shear force) was confirmed in the case of female individuals of the Toulouse breed (P = 0.043). The results suggest the possibility of using molecular markers in CAPN1 gene as a potential tool for improving carcass and meat quality traits in goose breeding programmes.

The dopamine β-hydroxylase gene in Chinese goose (Anas cygnoides): cloning, characterization, and expression during the reproductive cycle.

BackgroundDopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) is a critical enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamines. This enzyme’s role in neuroendocrine regulation is well known, but there are some indications that it may also modulate reproduction and endocrine in mammals and birds. We selected goose (Anas cygnoides) as an ideal model species for investigating the role of DBH in avian reproduction.ResultsFull-length cDNA encoding DBH was cloned from Zhedong goose using reverse transcription PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The cDNA consisted of a 126-base pair (bp) 5′-untranslated region (UTR), a 379-bp 3′-UTR, and an 1896-bp open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of 631 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of gDBH shared high homology with an analogue from other birds and contained three conserved domains from a mono-oxygenase family including a DOMON domain and two Cu2_mono-oxygen domains. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that gDBH mRNA was expressed in both reproductive and endocrine tissues of Zhedong goose, specifically in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, and oviduct. More DBH mRNA of reproductive and endocrine tissues was detected at ovulation than at oviposition in Zhedong goose. Evidence of opposite trend of gDBH expression was found between the hypothalamus-pituitary and oviduct during the ovulation phase and the broody phase. In addition, we assessed DBH mRNA expression during ovulation in two breeds of geese that differ in egg production. The reproductive and endocrine tissues of Yangzhou geese with higher egg production had more gDBH expression than Zhedong geese. Finally, the five non-synonymous SNP(c.1739 C > T, c.1760G > T, c.1765A > G, c.1792 T > C and c.1861G > C) were identified in the coding region of DBH gene between Zhedong goose and Yangzhou goose.ConclusionsWe conclude that goose DBH mRNA show obvious periodically variation in reproductive and endocrine tissues during the reproductive cycle in geese.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-016-0355-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Zhedong White goose and characterization of NUMTs: Reveal domestication history of goose in China and Euro

To understand the phyletic evolution of geese, the complete mitogenome of the Zhedong goose was sequenced for the first time. It is composed of 37 genes and 1 control region, and the structure and arrangement of all genes sequenced are identical to those of other goose breeds. We confirmed the accuracy of the mitogenome sequence through RT-PCR and found numts from amplification in genomic DNA. Comparisons of the phylogenetic trees and sequences of geese that were suggested a clade of Chinese geese, except the Yili goose, were classified in the Euro clade. Several breed-specific mutations and Chinese breed-specific mutations were found. Our results suggest that Chinese geese evolved from the swan goose, splitting from their common ancestors at different times, which was consistent with studies before. Furthermore, numts in most genes of Zhedong goose clustered with European geese in the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that the haplotypes in the Euro clade might be more ancient. However, the mitogenome of the swan goose shows distinctive evolutionary positions in some genes, which suggest its unclear relationship with Chinese geese and European geese. The current study added to the understanding of the evolution of geese and provided evidence that the typing of numts is an encouraging way for the evolutionary study of geese and the mitochondrial genomes of geese deserve further investigation.

The dynamics of avian influenza in Lesser Snow Geese: implications for annual and migratory infection patterns.

Wild water birds are the natural reservoir for low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (AIV). However, our ability to investigate the epizootiology of AIV in these migratory populations is challenging and, despite intensive worldwide surveillance, remains poorly understood. We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis in Pacific Flyway Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens, to investigate AIV serology and infection patterns. We collected nearly 3000 sera samples from Snow Geese at two breeding colonies in Russia and Canada during 1993-1996 and swab samples from >4000 birds at wintering and migration areas in the United States during 2006-2011. We found seroprevalence and annual seroconversion varied considerably among years. Seroconversion and infection rates also differed between Snow Goose breeding colonies and wintering areas, suggesting that AIV exposure in this gregarious waterfowl species is likely occurring during several phases (migration, wintering, and potentially breeding areas) of the annual cycle. We estimated AIV antibody persistence was longer (14 months) in female geese compared to males (6 months). This relatively long period of AIV antibody persistence suggests that subtype-specific serology may be an effective tool for detection of exposure to subtypes associated with highly pathogenic AIV. Our study provides further evidence of high seroprevalence in Arctic goose populations, and estimates of annual AIV seroconversion and antibody persistence for North American waterfowl. We suggest future AIV studies include serology to help elucidate the epizootiological dynamics of AIV in wild bird populations.

The goose genome sequence leads to insights into the evolution of waterfowl and susceptibility to fatty liver.

BackgroundGeese were domesticated over 6,000 years ago, making them one of the first domesticated poultry. Geese are capable of rapid growth, disease resistance, and high liver lipid storage capacity, and can be easily fed coarse fodder. Here, we sequence and analyze the whole-genome sequence of an economically important goose breed in China and compare it with that of terrestrial bird species.ResultsA draft sequence of the whole-goose genome was obtained by shotgun sequencing, and 16,150 protein-coding genes were predicted. Comparative genomics indicate that significant differences occur between the goose genome and that of other terrestrial bird species, particularly regarding major histocompatibility complex, Myxovirus resistance, Retinoic acid-inducible gene I, and other genes related to disease resistance in geese. In addition, analysis of transcriptome data further reveals a potential molecular mechanism involved in the susceptibility of geese to fatty liver disease and its associated symptoms, including high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and low levels of cholesterol. The results of this study show that deletion of the goose lep gene might be the result of positive selection, thus allowing the liver to adopt energy storage mechanisms for long-distance migration.ConclusionsThis is the first report describing the complete goose genome sequence and contributes to genomic resources available for studying aquatic birds. The findings in this study are useful not only for genetic breeding programs, but also for studying lipid metabolism disorders.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0652-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Avian sarcoma and leukosis virus gag gene in the Anser anser domesticus genome.

Endogenous retroviruses are regarded as ideal genetic markers for evolutionary analyses. Birds were some of the initial vertebrates found to contain endogenous retroviruses. However, few studies have investigated the presence and distribution of endogenous retroviruses in goose. In this study, we detected the avian sarcoma and leukosis virus gag gene in the genomic DNA of 8 Chinese native breeds using polymerase chain reaction method. The results indicated that a 1.2-kb avian sarcoma and leukosis virus gag sequence was integrated into all 8 goose breeds. The mean genetic pairwise distance was 0.918% among the investigated geese. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the presence of the endogenous retroviruses in the domestic goose genome. The genetic structure should be further examined in the domestic goose.

Where to settle in a rapidly expanding bird colony: a case study on colony expansion in High Arctic breeding geese

As colonies fill up with more individuals, areas of preferred nesting habitat can become scarce. Individuals attracted to the colony by the presence of conspecifics may then occupy nest sites with different habitat characteristics to that of established breeders and, as a result, experience lower nesting success. We studied a rapidly growing colony of Svalbard pink-footed geese Anser brachyrhynchus to determine any such changes in nest site characteristics and nesting success of newly used nest locations. Svalbard pink-footed geese are a long-lived migratory species that breeds during the short Arctic summer and whose population has doubled since the early 2000s to c. 80,000. From 2003 to 2012, nest numbers increased over fivefold, from 49 to 226, with the majority (range 57–82 %) established within 30 m of another nest (total range 1–164 m). Most nests, particularly during the early stages of colony growth, shared common features associated with better protection against predation and closer proximity to food resources; two factors thought key in the evolution of colony formation. As nest numbers within the colony increased, new nests occupied locations where visibility from the nest was restricted and foraging areas were further away. Despite these changes in nest site characteristics, the nesting success of geese using new sites was not lower than that of birds using older nests. Hence, we propose that nesting in dense aggregations may offset any effects of suboptimal nest site characteristics on nesting success via the presence of more adults and the resultant increased vigilance towards predators.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of Fatty Acid Synthase and Fat Deposition in the Liver of the Overfed Goose.

Goose fatty liver is one of the most delicious and popular foods in the world, but there is no reliable genetic marker for the early selection and breeding of geese with good liver-producing potential. In our study, one hundred and twenty-four 78-day-old Landes geese bred in Shunda Landes goose breeding farm, Jiutai, Jilin, China were selected randomly. The fatty livers were sampled each week after overfeeding during a three week period. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing were used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of fatty acid synthase (FAS), which is an important enzyme involved in the synthesis of fat under both physiological and pathological conditions. Least-squares correlation was established between these SNPs and fatty liver weight, abdominal fat weight, and intestinal fat weight of the overfed Landes geese, respectively. The results showed that fatty liver weight of geese with EF and FF genotypes (amplified by primer P1) was significantly higher than that of the EE genotype (p<0.05), and liver weight of CD and DD genotypes (amplified by primer P2) was significantly higher than that of the CC genotype (p<0.05). Different genotype combinations showed different liver weights, and from highest to lowest were ABDD, DDEF, DDFF, DDEE, ABEF, ABFF, AADD, and CDEF. Further analysis of DNA sequencing showed that there were two SNPs within the 5′ promoter region the FAS gene. The geese of EF and FF genotypes carried a change of T to C, and the geese of CD and DD genotypes carried a change of A to G. The changes of the bases could potentially influence the binding of some transcription factors to this region as to regulate FAS gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SNPs found within the 5′ promoter region of the Landes goose FAS gene, and our data will provide an insight for early selection of geese for liver production.

Demographics of Canada geese introduced in western Colorado

Breeding populations of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were established throughout western Colorado during 1955–1988 using geese transplanted from other areas. Subsequently, there has been no assessment of demographics and winter distributions on these local populations. Managers need this information to effectively manage breeding populations of Canada geese to provide publics with recreational opportunities and to reduce human-goose conflicts in western Colorado, particularly for segments of internationally recognized populations with cooperative management plans. We conducted a band recovery study during 2000–2006 to assess demographics and winter distributions of Canada geese breeding in 7 subareas of western Colorado. Cooperators banded 19,189 geese during June and early July. We recaptured 5,185 of these geese 1–4 times during banding operations in subsequent years and most (97%) were recaptured in the subarea of banding the year after banding. We obtained 2,921 useable band recoveries through May 2007, and most (98%) recoveries were a result of either being shot or found dead during hunting season. Direct band recoveries (<1 year after banding) were recovered almost exclusively in Colorado (87%) and New Mexico (12%), and indirect band recoveries (≥1 year after banding) showed similar distribution (73% in Colorado and 16% in New Mexico). Geese in subareas of western Colorado had different recovery distributions, and contributed to 4 wintering concentrations of Canada geese in western and central Colorado and New Mexico. Annual survival probability for adult geese was 0.864 ± 0.012. The survival probability for juvenile geese was 0.503 ± 0.026, but we did find evidence that this estimate may be biased low. We used the band reporting probability of 0.525 ± 0.071 to derive harvest rates from band recovery rates. Harvest rate was 0.128 ± 0.018 for adult geese and 0.169 ± 0.024 for juvenile geese. Survival probability was lesser and harvest rate greater for the 3 western subareas (Western Plateau) compared to the 4 eastern subareas (Rocky Mountains). Our results suggest that Canada geese that breed and molt in western Colorado have high survival probability and are largely non-migratory with some movement in winter from high to low elevation areas primarily in Colorado. To effectively manage the growing resident goose population in western Colorado, managers may need to increase harvest rates for these geese. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.

Molecular characterization, expression profile, and polymorphism of goose dopamine D1 receptor gene

Dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) is one of the dopamine receptors with seven transmembrane domains that are coupled to the G protein. In the present study, we cloned the full coding region of DRD1 gene by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends from the goose hypothalamus tissues. Results showed that the goose DRD1 cDNA (GenBank: KF156790) contained a 1,356 bp open reading frame encoding a protein 452 amino acid with a molecular weight of 50.52 kDa and a isoelectric point of 6.96. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the deduced amino acid sequence was 71-98% identical to the DRD1 protein of other species, contained seven transmembrane domains and four N-glycosylation sites. A phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the deduced goose DRD1 protein had a close genetic relationship and evolutional distance with that of duck, chicken, and zebra finch. The semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis displayed goose DRD1 gene was widely expressed in all detected tissues, including heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, breast muscle, duodenum, sebum, pituitary, hypothalamus, ovary and oviduct. Eighteen single nucleotide polymorphisms were indentified in 3,169 bp length of this gene. For G90A mutation, the genotyping analysis of PCR-TspRI-RFLP showed the allele G was in dominance in all detected goose breeds, and the allele frequencies of this polymorphism were significantly different between Chinese goose breeds and foreign breeds (P<0.01). These findings will help us understand the functions of the DRD1 gene and the molecular breeding in geese.

Gene expression profile of IGF1 and MSTN mRNA and their correlation with carcass traits in different breeds of geese at 70 d of age

1. The expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and myostatin (MSTN) mRNA in breast and leg muscle was quantified in 70-d-old Taihu and Wanxi geese by using a Multiplex Competitive Fluorescent–PCR method and the correlations between mRNA levels and carcass traits were analysed.2. IGF1 mRNA expression in breast muscle in Taihu geese was significantly higher than that in Wanxi geese and the MSTN mRNA level in leg muscle in Taihu geese was significantly higher than that in Wanxi geese.3. There was no significant difference in breast muscle MSTN or leg muscle IGF1 mRNA expression between the two breeds.4. Within the same breed, the IGF1 mRNA expression in leg muscle of male geese was significantly higher than that in female geese, and MSTN mRNA expression in leg muscle was significantly higher than that in breast muscle.5. There was no difference in the IGF1 mRNA expression between tissues.6. There was a positive correlation between IGF1 mRNA and MSTN mRNA and a negative correlation between IGF1 mRNA expression of breast muscle and leg muscle ratio.7. In Wanxi geese, MSTN mRNA expression in leg muscle was negatively associated with body weight and leg muscle weight.

Matrilineal Genetic Structure of Domestic Geese

In contrast to other farm animals, the matrilineal structure of domestic goose has remained an open question. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial DNA control region sequence variation of 245 domestic geese to discern the main matrilineal c omponents and their phylogeneticrelationships. The result of phylogeneticanalysis indic ated the distinct lineage of clade II and the result of network analysis further suggested the major group of Chinese native goose breeds (subclade S) and introgressive goose breeds (subclade G). Except Yili geese, all Chinese domestic goose breeds were clustered in S, whereas clade II were widely distributed in 2 European breeds, Yili geese as well as 3 domesticGraylag geese. The results support that Chinese domesticgoose breeds (except the Yili breed) originated from Swan goose (Anser cygnoides) while European goose breeds originated from Graylag goose (Anser anser). In total, 17 Landoise and 16 White Roman geese were clustered in subclade G together with 1 domestic goose (A. anser, AY112966), which supported the previous finding that European geese originated from Graylag goose (A. anser). But 9 unanticipated samples of two Chinese domestic goose breeds including 7 Lion-head geese and 1 Zhedong White goose in haplotype H9 were also clustered in subclade G as well as 3 Lion-head geese in haplotypes H13, H15 and H16 and 2 Zhedong White geese in haplotypes H18 and H19, which may be caused by the potential gene introgressions between swan goose breeds and graylag breeds with a directional contribution towards graylag geese.

Скрещивание – метод повышения воспроизводительных качеств гусей

The aim of our research was to increase the productive and reproductive qualities of geese breeders by crossing the white Hungarian and Kuban rocks. To achieve this aim, we should solve the following problems: to study the economically advantageous features of geese flocks of different genotypes and to calculate the cost-effectiveness of the research results. Materials and methods. The experiments were carried out in the Limited company “Bashkirskaya ptitsa” of Blagovar district of Bashkortostan in 2009-2012 by geese flocks of white Hungarian, Kuban breeds and their crosses. To study the productive and reproductive qualities of geese flocks we formed four groups of 64 head of adult geese of first year at the rate of 3 to 1 gander goose. The first group was equipped with Hungarian white goose breeds, the second - the Kuban , the third - a cross between those, obtained by crossing the white Hungarian geese ganders with Kuban, and the fourth - a cross between the Kuban gander and white Hungarian geese. The research was carried out for 150 days. The process parameters and feeding of geese corresponded to VNITIP recommendations. According to the research, we found that the geese of III trial group (♂Hungarian × ♀ Kuban) outnumbered white peers of Hungarian breed and other groups in egg production by 9.6 and 2.2%, respectively, with 3.9% yielding Kuban. The highest content of carotinoids, vitamin A and B2 were found in the eggs of hybrid geese of III group, which amounted to, respectively, 16.05 mkg/g, 9.31 and 8.73 mkg/g. The highest number of conditional geese of first category had also cross-bred geese of third experimental group (♂Hungarian × ♀ Kuban) - 1,447 heads or 85.7%, which is 4.3, 5.9 and 2.2 % had more than a white Hungarian, Kuban breeds of geese and other crossbred groups. Output. Thus, due to the high egg production, the quality of hatching eggs and day-old chicks, the breeding of hybrid geese, obtained in crosses with a white Hungarian geese with Kuban rocks, yielded additional revenue of 119,751.7 rubles and increase profitability by 11.91% , compared with the parental forms Kuban breed geese.&#x0D;

Morphological traits of duck and geese breeds of West Bengal, India

The study pertains to phenotypic characterization of some breeds of duck (common white duck and Indian runner duck), Muscovy ducks (black and white feathered and sepia feathered) besides two breeds of geese (white and brown feathered and white feathered) reared in the state of West Bengal (India). The study was conducted at five locations of the state and comprised 1395 ducks and 600 geese. The data were analysed statistically using mainly descriptive statistics, the differences in mean were analysed using Duncan's multiple range test. Both qualitative and quantitative traits were considered in the study. The qualitative traits were shank colour, bill colour, colour of the feathers, skin colour, egg shell colour, the presence or absence of beans, body carriage, bill type and colour of the eyes, while the quantitative traits included in the study were weight of the ducks and weight of the eggs. Some production traits such as numbers of eggs laid per year and dressing percentage of the drakes and ganders of each breed too have been studied. The ducks and geese are raised under semi-intensive management system and mostly depend on scavenging for their nutritional needs. This results in poor egg production and at times loss of stock because of diseases. The study regarding average egg production indicated that the Muscovy ducks and the geese have poor egg production, whereas the Indian runner followed by the common white duck are potentially the best. The ducks are important source of earnings for the small holder farmers and are raised both for meat and eggs, while the geese are reared mostly for ornamental purpose. However, the populations of the ducks are fast dwindling because of avian influenza in the region and because restocking is mostly being carried out with less adapted Khaki Campbell ducks. This happens mainly because the government farms that were responsible for providing the ducklings for restocking maintain Khaki Campbell ducks and do not have the parental stock of the native duck breeds, while restocking of the Muscovy ducks and geese are carried out by the rearers themselves. There are also no prevailing breeding programmes to conserve, select, maintain and distribute the native breeds of duck and geese. Hence, it is of earnest importance to conserve the avian genetic resources before the population dwindles further.