The Production Performance And Meat Quality Related Gene MRNA Expression Pattern Analysis Of The Mule Ducks In Northern Area

Genetic background, an important factor, influences the growth of the biological individual. The crossing breeding system has become one of the effective way to breed improved varieties. The study of the growth performances and genes relating to meat quality is significant for evaluating the improved breeds. Jilin Indigenous Duck have some outstanding qualities. Indigenous Duck have higher average egg production, higher lean rate, stronger disease and cold resistance, but its growth rate is slow. Muscovy Duck, a foreign breed, is abroad distributing in the area of South American and Tropics of Central American and mainly breed in south of China. Muscovy Duck is one of the excellent breed with the higher growth rate and lean rate. But Muscovy duck always has its disadvantages, for example lower average egg production, lower fertility and sensitivity to cold, which constraints its development in north of China.To breed an improved varieties that adapt to live in the north of China, a crossing experiment was projected between Jilin Indigenous Duck and Muscovy duck. We studied comparatively the growth performance and slaughter performance of Mule Duck, Muscovy Duck and Jilin Indigenous Duck. Besides, we analysed the expressions of 4 genes(TDG, FABP4, MSTN and MyoD1) relating to meat quality to study the relationship between the 4 genes mRNA expression pattern and duck’s growth rate using RT-PCR technology. The project is choosing the pure male Muscovy Ducks and Jilin Indigenous Duck as the parents to breed the Mule Duck. The groups of Muscovy Ducks, Mule Duck and Jilin Indigenous Duck were feeding separately and each group contains 50 ducks. The feeding period is 70 days. Experimental results as follow,(1) The growth performance of the Mule DuckThe growth rate of Muscovy duck and Mule Duck is faster than Jilin Indigenous Duck. Additionally, the 1- 3 weeks old Mule Duck weigh more than the same old Muscovy Ducks in very significant difference(P<0.01). The average daily gain of Mule Duck is higher than that of Muscovy Ducks at its 0- 3 weeks old and 8- 10 weeks old. Despite the average daily gain of Mule Duck is lower than that of Muscovy Ducks at its 4- 7 weeks old, the weight of Mule Duck is similar to the weight of Muscovy Duck after 70 days.(2) The slaughter performance of the Mule DuckThe dressing percentage, carcass net weight and leg muscle rate of Mule Duck were higher than Muscovy Ducks in very significant difference(P<0.01).(3) The expression of TDG, FABP4, MSTN and MyoD1 in muscleThe expression of TDG was highest in the Muscovy Ducks and has an extremelysignificant difference with Mule Duck and Jilin Indigenous Duck(P<0.01), but no significant difference was between Mule Duck and Jilin Indigenous Duck(P>0.05). The expression of FABP4 was highest in Jilin Indigenous Duck in an extremely significant difference with Mule Duck and Muscovy ducks(P<0.01), but no significant difference was between Mule Duck and Muscovy Duck(P>0.05). The expression of MSTN was significantly higher in Muscovy Duck and significantly lower in Mule Duck comparing to Jilin Indigenous Duck(P< 0.01). The expression of MyoD1 of Mule Duck was significantly higher than Jilin Indigenous Duck but significantly lower than Muscovy Duck.In conclusion, the growth rate of Muscovy Duck is faster than Mule Duck at 4- 7 weeks old, but the final weight of Muscovy Duck and Mule Duck is of no significant difference. Besides, the dressing percentage, carcass net weight and leg muscle rate of Mule Duck were higher than Muscovy Ducks in very significant difference. More importantly, Mule Duck colligates the advantage of Jilin Indigenous Duck and Muscovy Ducks. The expression of TDG、FABD4、MSTN and MyoD1 is different in Mule Duck, Jilin Indigenous Duck and Muscovy Ducks.