Whole genome QTL mapping for growth, meat quality and breast meat yield traits in turkey

The quantitative trait loci analyses of the growth curve, body weight, breast yield and the meat quality traits showed putative quantitative trait loci on 21 of the 27 turkey chromosomes covered by the linkage map. Forty-five quantitative trait loci were detected across all traits and these were found in 29 different regions on 21 chromosomes. Out of the 45 quantitative trait loci, twelve showed significant (p < 0.01) evidence of linkage while the remaining 33 showed suggestive evidence (p < 0.05) of linkage with different growth, growth curve, meat quality and breast yield traits.A large number of quantitative trait loci were detected across the turkey genome, which affected growth, breast yield and meat quality traits. Pleiotropic effects or close linkages between quantitative trait loci were suggested for several of the chromosomal regions. The comparative analysis regarding the location of quantitative trait loci on different turkey, and on the syntenic chicken chromosomes, along with their phenotypic associations, revealed signs of functional conservation between these species.The turkey (Meleagris gallopavo, MGA) is an important agricultural species and is the second largest contributor to the world's poultry meat production. Turkey stocks increased from 178 to 482 million and production volume increased from 1.2 to 5.6 M. tons between 1970 to 2008 [1]. This rapidly increasing demand of turkey meat motivated breeders and farmers to produce rapidly growing birds with a high market body weight (BW) and a desirable body conformation in order to maximize production efficiency and optimize production of preferred body cuts; e.g., breast muscle yield [2].Commonly applied breeding programs for meat type birds, select for body weight (BW) and body composition traits (breast muscle yield, etc.), while minimizing production costs. Recently, breeders have started measuring meat quality traits (drip loss, pH and color) as well as survival traits, at least in research proj