Genomic variation responding to artificial selection on different lines of Pekin duck.

Understanding the genomic variation in Pekin duck under artificial selection is important for improving the utilization of duck genetic resources. Here, the genomic changes in Pekin duck were analyzed by using the genome resequencing data from 96 individual samples, including 2 conservation populations and 4 breeding populations with different breeding backgrounds. The population structure, runs of homozygosity (ROH), effective population number (Ne), and other genetic parameters were analyzed.

Research note: Whole-genome sequencing revealed genomic diversity dynamics in duck conserved populations.

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively analyze the genetic diversity of the Pekin duck conserved population with five generations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the current conservation strategy. In total, 277 Pekin duck conserved individuals and 40 Mallards as ancestral controls were collected. Each duck was sequenced at about 10X whole-genome coverage, while over 7.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identifies Important Haplotypes and Candidate Gene for Body Size Traits in Pekin Ducks.

Body size is an important growth indicator in ducks and is a primary selection criterion for physical improvement. An excessively rapid growth rate in meat ducks can result in excessive body size, which may hinder subsequent processing and slaughter operations. However, only a few molecular markers related to body size have been studied in meat ducks.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis and Genetic Parameters for Egg Production Traits in Peking Ducks.

Egg production traits are crucial in the poultry industry, including age at first egg (AFE), egg number (EN) at different stages, and laying rate (LR). Ducks exhibit higher egg production capacity than other poultry species, but the genetic mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we collected egg-laying data of 618 Peking ducks from 22 to 66 weeks of age and genotyped them by whole-genome resequencing.

Whole genome resequencing reveals genomic regions related to red plumage in ducks.

Plumage color is a characteristic trait of ducks that originates as a result of natural and artificial selection. As a conspicuous phenotypic feature, it is a breed characteristic. Previous studies have identified some genes associated with the formation of black and white plumage in ducks.

A novel candidate gene CLN8 regulates fat deposition in avian.

Background: The fat deposition has a crucial role in animal meat flavor, and fat deposition-related traits are vital for breeding in the commercial duck industry. Avian fat-related traits are typical complex phenotypes, which need a large amount of data to analyze the genetic loci.

Results: In this study, we performed a new phenotypic analysis of fat traits and genotyped whole-genome variations for 1,246 ducks, and combed with previous GWAS data to reach 1,880 ducks for following analysis.

A fluorescent probe for alkylating agents and its quantification of triflate as a genotoxic impurity.

The responses of a reaction-based fluorescent probe BI-Py towards alkyl halide, epoxide, carbonate, sulfate, sulphonate and triflate were evaluated and the probe achieved selective detection of ethyl triflate in acetonitrile with a LOD of 1.08 μM. BI-Py exhibited great potential for detecting triflate as a genotoxic impurity in drug substances.

Visual inspection of acidic pH and bisulfite in white wine using a colorimetric and fluorescent probe.

The acidic pH and total amount of SO are both important quality control indexes of wine, but conventional detection techniques depend heavily on specialized instrument and professional staff, thus are not available to general customers. In this paper, a hemicyanine-based colorimetric and fluorescent probe Hcy-Py was designed and synthesized. It responded to bisulfite selectively with a LOD of 0.

Three chromosome-level duck genome assemblies provide insights into genomic variation during domestication.

Domestic ducks are raised for meat, eggs and feather down, and almost all varieties are descended from the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Here, we report chromosome-level high-quality genome assemblies for meat and laying duck breeds, and the Mallard. Our new genomic databases contain annotations for thousands of new protein-coding genes and recover a major percentage of the presumed "missing genes" in birds.

Genome-wide association study reveals novel loci associated with feeding behavior in Pekin ducks.

Background: Feeding behavior traits are an essential part of livestock production. However, the genetic base of feeding behavior traits remains unclear in Pekin ducks. This study aimed to determine novel loci related to feeding behavior in Pekin ducks.

Genome-wide association study of bone quality and feed efficiency-related traits in Pekin ducks.

Feeding and bone traits are vital for breeding and reproduction in the commercial duck industry. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study for feeding and bone traits in a population of 540 lean-type Pekin ducks, followed by genotyping-by-sequencing procedures. The genetic parameters of feeding and bone traits were also estimated using genomic information.

Selection response and genetic parameter estimation of feeding behavior traits in Pekin ducks.

Body weight-related traits and feeding behavior traits are important in poultry breeding and production. To investigate the heritability of feeding behavior and their genetic correlation with body weight-related traits in Pekin ducks, 5,594 Pekin ducks were selected. The information about body weight-related traits and feeding behavior from 3 to 6 wk of age were recorded by automatic electronic feeders.

Comparison of carcass and meat quality traits between lean and fat Pekin ducks.

Objective: According to market demand, meat duck breeding mainly includes 2 breeding directions: lean Pekin duck (LPD) and fat Pekin duck (FPD). The aim of the present study was to compare carcass and meat quality traits between 2 strains, and to provide basic data for guidelines of processing and meat quality improvement.

Methods: A total of 62 female Pekin ducks (32 LPDs and 30 FPDs) were slaughtered at the age of 42 days.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Growth and Feeding Traits in Pekin Ducks.

Growth rate and feeding efficiency are the most important economic traits for meat animals. Pekin duck is one of the major global breeds of meat-type duck. This study aims to identify QTL for duck growth and feeding efficiency traits in order to assist artificial selection.

Analysis of fishy taint in duck eggs reveals the causative constituent of the fishy odor and factors affecting the perception ability of this odor.

Fresh duck eggs normally have an unpleasant fishy odor when compared with eggs from other poultry. However, the cause of this unpleasant smell remains unknown. Besides, we have limited knowledge regarding the perception ability of this odor.

Genome-wide association study of the level of blood components in Pekin ducks.

Blood components are considered to reflect nutrient metabolism and immune activity in both humans and animals. In this study, we measured 12 blood components in Pekin ducks and performed genome-wide association analysis to identify the QTLs (quantitative trait locus) using a genotyping-by-sequencing strategy. A total of 54 QTLs were identified for blood components.

Genome-wide association study reveals novel loci associated with body size and carcass yields in Pekin ducks.

Background: Pekin duck products have become popular in Asia over recent decades and account for an increasing market share. However, the genetic mechanisms affecting carcass growth in Pekin ducks remain unknown. This study aimed to identify quantitative trait loci affecting body size and carcass yields in Pekin ducks.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals signatures of selection and timing of duck domestication.

Background: The genetic basis of animal domestication remains poorly understood, and systems with substantial phenotypic differences between wild and domestic populations are useful for elucidating the genetic basis of adaptation to new environments as well as the genetic basis of rapid phenotypic change. Here, we sequenced the whole genome of 78 individual ducks, from two wild and seven domesticated populations, with an average sequencing depth of 6.42X per individual.

In vivo prediction of the carcass fatness using live body measurements in Pekin ducks.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between live body measurements and several fat traits in Pekin ducks, and ultimately to formulate multiple regression equations for the in vivo estimation of the carcass fatness of Pekin ducks. Several traits were measured in a total of 208 Pekin ducks aged 6 wk (107 males and 101 females). All ducks were weighed and measured for a set of body measurements including live body weight, body slope length, breast muscle thickness, skin fat thickness, chest width, keel length, and neck length.

Systematic analysis of feeding behaviors and their effects on feed efficiency in Pekin ducks.

Background: Feeding behavior study is important for animal husbandry and production. However, few studies were conducted on the feeding behavior and their relationship with feeding efficiency in Pekin ducks. In order to investigate the feeding behavior and their relationship with feed efficiency and other economic traits in Pekin ducks, we selected 358 male Pekin ducks and recorded feeding information between 3 to 6 wk of age using automatic electronic feeders, and compared the feeding behavior under different residual feed intake (RFI) levels.

De novo transcriptome assembly and identification of genes associated with feed conversion ratio and breast muscle yield in domestic ducks.

Breast muscle yield and feed conversion efficiency are the major breeding aims in duck breeding. Understanding the role of specific transcripts in the muscle and small intestine might lead to the elucidation of interrelated biological processes. In this study, we obtained jejunum and breast muscle samples from two strains of Peking ducks that were sorted by feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breast muscle percentage into two-tailed populations.