Journal of Applied Genetics 45(1), 2004, pp. 61-71

Divergent selection for skeletal malformations in chickens alters polymorphism at microsatellite loci

Barbara WARDECKA, Kazimierz JASZCZAK, Mariusz PIERZCHALA, Rafal PARADA, Malgorzata KORCZAK

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine microsatellite polymorphism in Rhode Island Red (RIR) and Sussex (SX) chickens, divergently selected over six generations for high (H) or low (L) incidence of skeletal defects in embryos (30.7% for H lines, 3.7% for L lines). The polymorphism analysis covered 15 microsatellite markers within four lines (a total of 60 individuals). Eight alleles were identified as specific to H lines and six alleles as specific to L lines. The selection for skeletal malformation appears to have affected the frequency of microsatellite alleles. The experimental material examined constitutes a valuable source for identification of real genes causing skeletal defects.

Key words: chicken, microsatellites, polymorphism, skeletal defects.

Correspondence: B. WARDECKA, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Molecular Cytogenetic Department, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, 05-552 Wolka Kosowska, Poland; e-mail: b.wardecka@ighz.pl