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Influence of thermoregulatory (Na & F) genes on performance and blood parameters of F2 and F3 generations of crosses of local and commercial chickens

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Abstract

High ambient temperatures pose serious productive challenges to poultry farmers in the tropics with adverse consequences such as reduced egg production. A study was undertaken to assess the effect of naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes on the performance of F2 and F3 generations of crosses of commercial and indigenous chickens in Ghana. One thousand, five hundred and sixty-five (1,565) eggs distributed in a randomized complete block design comprising 4 genotypes and 15 hatches were used for the first study. The eggs were produced from 33 each F2 crossbred normal-feathered (nanaff), naked neck (Na), frizzle (F) and both (Na and F) alleles carrying chickens to determine the effects of these genes on fertility and hatchability. Data were analysed using the mixed model procedure of GenStat statistical software. Eggs from birds with the heat-tolerant genes, either in the single or double doses, were significantly more fertile than those from birds without the genes. Eggs of birds carrying the F allele had significantly (P < 0.05) higher hatchability than eggs from birds carrying the Na allele.

Subsequently, 199 F3 crossbred chickens obtained from six hatches generated by the F2 generation were used for the evaluation of growth, egg production, haematological and blood biochemical parameters. The genotypic groups were normal feathered (nanaff), homozygous naked neck (NaNaff), heterozygous naked neck (Nanaff), homozygous frizzle (nanaFF), heterozygous frizzle (nanaFf), double homozygous naked neck-frizzle (NaNaFF) and double heterozygous naked neck- frizzle (NanaFf). The Nanaff recorded a significantly (P < 0.05) heavier day-old body weight compared to all other genotypes except the NaNaff birds.

The nanaff genotype reached sexual maturity significantly earlier than all other genotypes. Hen day egg production and egg weight were also significantly higher in nanaff birds compared to birds carrying either Na or F allele, or both alleles. All birds carrying the naked neck and frizzle genes had significantly higher packed cell volume (PCV) concentration than the nanaff genotype. The Nanaff genotype recorded a significantly higher blood haemoglobin concentration compared to the nanaff, nanaFf and NaNaFF ones. However, birds carrying the thermoregulatory genes recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher haemoglobin values except for the heterozygous frizzle. The thermoregulatory genes are of importance in chicken populations in Ghana as they positively influence percentage fertility of chicken eggs and PCV concentrations of chicken blood.

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The raw data is not available but the full thesis is available at the KNUST online repository.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the support given by the Head and Staff of Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Funding

The research was conducted out of self-financing from Mr. Christian Asumah who was an MSc. student and his supervisors, Drs. O. S. Olympio and K. Adomako.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Production and Health, School of Agriculture and Technology, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Dormaa Campus, Dormaa Ahenkro, Ghana

    C. Asumah, B. A. Hagan & E. D. Yeboah

  2. Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    K. Adomako & O. S. Olympio

Authors
  1. C. Asumah
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  2. K. Adomako
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  3. O. S. Olympio
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  4. B. A. Hagan
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  5. E. D. Yeboah
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Contributions

Asumah, C.: responsible for experimental set-up, data collection, data analysis and drafting of the manuscript. Adomako, K.: conceived the research idea, supervised data collection, data analysis and manuscript writing. Olympio, O. S.: supervised the entire research and edited the manuscript. Hagan, A. B.: assisted in data collection, drafting of manuscript and proof reading. Yeboah, E. D.: assisted in data collection and proof reading.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. Adomako.

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All experimental procedures which involved the use of birds were approved by the Animal Rights and Welfare Committee in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

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Asumah, C., Adomako, K., Olympio, O.S. et al. Influence of thermoregulatory (Na & F) genes on performance and blood parameters of F2 and F3 generations of crosses of local and commercial chickens. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 207 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03207-6

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