Mapping quantitative trait loci affecting some carcass and meat traits in duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Contrary to chicken and livestock mammals, duck genome has not been explored much. Nowadays a relatively small number of reports on molecular variability and mapping of loci in Peking ducks has been published. Therefore, the objective of this study was to detect single loci affecting body weight, carcass and meat traits in Peking ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). The study was based on an F2 cross between two parental lines A-55 and GL-30. Phenotypes of 387 birds from generation F2 including carcass and meat quality traits were collected. Linkage map, of the linkage group CAU1, consisting of 29 microsatellite markers was constructed. One highly significant (p < 0.01) QTL for skin weight was identified at the beginning (0 cM) of the linkage group CAU1. Two significant QTL (p < 0.05) were found for fatness of leg muscle and leg muscle electrical conductivity - 24 hours post slaughtering (EC24h) at 178 and 100 cM, respectively. Additionally one suggestive QTL for odour of leg muscle was identified at 265 cM.