Genetic control of neonatal growth and intestinal maturation in turkeys

Turkey experimental lines E (selected 44 yr for increased egg production) and F (selected 38 yr for increased 16-wk BW) were mated reciprocally with the randombred control lines from which they were derived (RBC1 and RBC2, respectively), and the pure line and reciprocal cross poults were compared according to their hatch, 3- and 7-d BW, jejunum weight, jejunum length, and jejunal maltase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Orthogonal contrasts of the data from the pure line and reciprocal cross-poult data were used to estimate additive genetic effects, reciprocal effects (confounded maternal and sex-linked effects), and heterosis for each of the traits measured. Body weights at hatch and at 3 and 7 d of age were increased in the F line relative to the RBC2 line and were decreased in the E line relative to the RBC1 line. The genetic changes from long-term selection in the E and F lines have had concomitant effects on jejunum growth and function that parallel the changes in growth rate. The increased BW of the F line poults and the decreased BW of the E line poults relative to their randombred controls may be due to increases in the absorption of nutrients because of greater intestinal mass rather than to differences in glucose digestion. Concomitant changes in egg weight in the 2 selected lines appear to have resulted in maternal effects that have significantly affected neonatal BW and digestive system maturation.