Correlation Analysis Of Egg Traits And Microsatellite DNA Markers In Silkes

Twelve microsatellite markers selected from the GENE-BANK were analyzed for polymorphism in silkies. Allele frequencies were estimated based on band presence or absence. Average heterozygosity (H) and polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated by allele frequencies, and then, linkage analysis between character and markers by least squares means and the correlation among the 6 characters of egg traits in silkies were studied. The results indicate:(1)9 pairs of microsatellites were polymorphic and could give consistence. The average number of alleles detected by a pair of primers was 4.556. The average value of PIC was 0.6072, and the population heterozygosity of the 9 microsatellite marker was 0.7423.(2) We found there were linkage among 4 markers and 3 characters through least squares means. Least squares means of the body weight at first egg and the egg weight at first egg for G31913 AB were significantly higher than those for BB, AA, AC, BC, DD, AD, BD and CD in silkes. Least squares means of the egg weight at first egg and the body weight at first egg for Z95315 CC were significantly higher than those of other genotypes (p<0.05); it implied that AB of G31913 and CC of Z95315 could be candidate locus to significantly affect the body weight at first egg and the egg weight at first egg in silkies; the least squares means of the egg weight at first egg for GO 1672 EE and AE were significantly higher than those of CE and CC, and the allele E of GO 1672 had a significantly positive correlation with egg weight in silkies, the allele C of GO 1672 had a significantly negation correlation with egg weight at first egg in silkies. The sequence egg production of four months, the egg productions of 500 days and that of 300 days for X82867 CD were significantly lower than that of AB.(3) There were significantly correlation among the 6 characters of egg traits in silkies. A positive phenotypic correlation was found between the sequence egg production of four months and the egg production of 500 days and 300 days respectively; Positive phenotypic correlations were alse found between the body weight at first egg and the age at first egg, the egg production of 500 days and that of 300 days. Negative phenotypic correlations were found among the age at first egg and the egg production of 500 days and the egg production of 300 days. There was no significant difference between the sequence egg production of four months and the body weight at first egg, the age at first egg, and the egg weight at first egg.