Genetic parameters for blood oxygen saturation, body weight and breast conformation in 4 meat-type chicken lines

1. The objective of the study was to explore the genetic architecture of blood oxygen saturation (SaO) (an indicator trait, negatively correlated with ascites susceptibility), body weight (Weight) and fleshing score (Flesh, a measure of breast conformation) for 4 meat-type chicken lines reared in commercial conditions. 2. Genetic components, including heritabilities and genetic correlations, were estimated by Restricted Maximum likelihood for these traits measured at 6 weeks of age. 3. Data were collected over eight generations of selection and pedigrees comprised in excess of 130,000 birds. 4. Univariate analyses were performed to allow model definition and to obtain starting values for trivariate analyses. The basic model included a random animal effect and, in further models explored, a maternal environmental effect or a genetic maternal effect or both were fitted. Models were compared using likelihood ratio tests. 5. Estimated heritabilities for SaO ranged from 0.1 to 0.2, and there was no evidence of genetic maternal effects for SaO. The environmental maternal component was significant for one of the populations only. Estimated heritabilities for both Weight and Flesh were between 0.2 and 0.4, and there was evidence of environmental and genetic maternal effects for these traits in all populations. 6. Genetic correlations between SaO and Weight and between SaO and Flesh were low and negative. This suggests that, in principle, genetic selection to simultaneously increase SaO, and therefore decrease ascites susceptibility, and WEight and Flesh could be performed using traditional (marker-free) selection methods. We discuss how a putative interaction between ascites and production traits could jeopardise the success of such methods.     

Consequences of selection for improving production traits on the frequency of deleterious alleles for fitness

In this study the effect of artificial selection on BLUP EBV for production traits on the allele frequencies of a pleiotropic QTL affecting both production and disease susceptibility was investigated. Stochastic simulations were used to model artificial selection on a production trait that is controlled, in part, by a biallelic QTL that also controls susceptibility to disease. The QTL allele increasing production also increased susceptibility to disease. Different modes of action and proportions of variation accounted for by the QTL were assessed for the production trait. The main results indicated that alleles that confer susceptibility to the disease could be maintained in the population over a long period, depending on the mode of action of the QTL. In addition, the results of the study indicate that, under various conditions, it is possible to find pleiotropic QTL that control 2 traits despite these traits appearing to be uncorrelated. Therefore, in practice, an estimate of the genetic correlation between 2 traits may be misleading when the presence of such a QTL exists. The results of this study have implications for breeding programs. For example, if a pleiotropic QTL exists that favors heterozygotes for a production trait, it would be very difficult to remove disease susceptibility alleles via traditional selection methods.     

Generation means analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">wheat streak mosaic</Emphasis> virus resistance in winter wheat

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV; Family: potyviridae; Genus: Tritimovirus) is a major threat to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) production worldwide, yet little is known about the genetic control of resistance. Our objective was to determine the mode of inheritance and type of gene action of WSMV resistance in two winter wheat crosses involving a resistant line, OK65C93-8, and two susceptible cultivars, Tandem and Vista. For each cross, parents, F₁, F₂, and backcross plants were inoculated and evaluated for WSMV resistance in two replicated greenhouse experiments. Generation means analysis indicated that additive, dominance, and epistatic effects were all involved in the inheritance of WSMV resistance. Broad-sense heritability estimates for visual symptom rating and ELISA values were high for both crosses (0.84–0.91). Narrow-sense heritability estimates were low in the Tandem/OK65C93-8 cross (0.43–0.45) and moderate in the Vista/OK65C93-8 cross (0.71–0.74). Due to the presence of greater non-additive gene effects combined with low narrow-sense heritability in the Tandem/OK65C93-8 cross, selecting for WSMV resistance in this cross would be complex if using conventional methods. On the other hand, the significant contribution of additive gene effects combined with moderate narrow-sense heritability in the Vista/OK65C93-8 cross suggested that it could be exploited to select for WSMV resistance. Progress from selection for WSMV resistance in early generations of winter wheat may vary among populations as indicated in this study. Therefore, evaluating genetic control of parental combinations may be warranted prior to selecting for WSMV resistance from this source.     

PDGFRA activating mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have activating mutations in the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase, and most patients with GISTs respond well to Gleevec, which inhibits KIT kinase activity. Here we show that approximately 35% (14 of 40) of GISTs lacking KIT mutations have intragenic activation mutations in the related receptor tyrosine kinase, platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA). Tumors expressing KIT or PDGFRA oncoproteins were indistinguishable with respect to activation of downstream signaling intermediates and cytogenetic changes associated with tumor progression. Thus, KIT and PDGFRA mutations appear to be alternative and mutually exclusive oncogenic mechanisms in GISTs.