Evaluating linkage between DNA fingerprint bands and quantitative traits in chickens: interactions

This study assessed the influence of background genome on expression of genes linked to DNA fingerprint (DFP) bands in chickens. Two experimental lines of White Plymouth Rocks previously selected for high or low 8-wk body weight were crossed to produce two F1 males that served as heads of two sire families. Each of these sires was mated to three hens from an unrelated White Leghorn population to produce progeny in which quantitative traits of 4-, 8-, and 12-wk body weight and shank length at 12 wk were measured. The DFP patterns were produced for all individuals in the study. For the 12 sire-specific DFP bands (common to both F1 sires but not found in the dams), each offspring was classified as having or not having each band. Then, an analysis of variance was conducted for each DFP sire band with sex, hatch, dam family, and presence or absence of the sire band as main effects. Interactions between dam family and presence or absence of sire band were also tested. Of 48 possible analyses of variance (12 sire bands by 4 quantitative traits), 3 resulted in significant effects due to sire band, and 2 indicated significant interactions. Thus, associations of a DFP band and a gene coding for a quantitative trait were present, but, in some cases, the expression of the trait differed, depending on the dam family in which it occurred. These data suggest that associations between DFP bands and quantitative traits may not be consistent in different genetic backgrounds.