Integrative Genomic Analyses Identify and Prioritize Candidate Loci for Metatarsal Length and Circumference in Broilers
TL;DR
The measured length and circumference of the metatarsal bone in 330 male broilers and whole-genome data were analyzed to identify genetic regions associated with these traits and identified candidate markers that may support future breeding efforts focused on improving broiler leg traits.
Abstract
Simple Summary Fast-growing broilers may experience leg problems when rapid body weight gain exceeds skeletal development, potentially affecting movement, welfare, and production. We measured the length and circumference of the metatarsal bone in 330 male broilers and analyzed whole-genome data to identify genetic regions associated with these traits. Integrating multiple complementary analyses identified 55 candidate markers for metatarsal length and 62 for circumference, including three markers shared by both traits. We also identified 64 candidate genes, including genes that may be related to bone, muscle, and energy metabolism. In an exploratory analysis within the same population, the selected markers showed greater trait-related predictive information than matched random marker sets. These findings improve understanding of the genetic basis of broiler leg development and provide candidate markers for future validation, which may support future breeding efforts focused on improving broiler leg traits.