A three-generation resource population was developed using two distinct Japanese quail strains, wild and white, to map quantitative trait loci underlying hatching weight and growth traits. Eight pairs of white and wild birds were crossed reciprocally and 34 F1 birds were produced. The F1 birds were intercrossed to generate 422 F2 offspring. All of the animals from three generations (472 birds) were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers on chromosome 1. Liveweight data from hatch to 5 weeks of age were collected on the F2 birds. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted applying the line-cross model and the least-squares interval mapping approach. The results indicated QTL affecting hatching weight and several growth related traits on chromosome 1. The F2 phenotypic variance explained by the detected additive QTL effects ranged from 1.0 to 3.7 for different traits. Modelling both additive and dominance QTL effects revealed additional QTL with significant dominance mode of action affecting pre-slaughter weight. However, there was no evidence for imprinting (parent-of-origin) effects. The variance due to the reciprocal cross effect ranged between 3.0 and 19.1% for weight at 1 week of age and hatching weight, respectively.

ABSTRACT:The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) is a considerable species which is often used for animal modelling in breeding researches. This study aims to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying growth and carcass traits in Japanese quail. A three-generation resource population was developed using wild and white Japanese quail strains. The total mapping population consisted of 472 birds. Eight pairs of white and wild birds were mated reciprocally and 34 F 1 birds were generated. The F 1 birds were intercrossed to produce F 2 offspring (422 birds). All of the animals from three generations were genotyped for four microsatellite markers on chromosome 2 in quail. QTL analysis was performed with the Least Squares interval mapping method. The results indicated significant QTL for breast weight, carcass weight, pre-stomach weight, pancreas percentage, head weight, intestine weight, spleen weight, and heart weight. There was also evidence for dominance QTL affecting pre-stomach weight, percentage of pre-stomach weight, and percentage of breast on chromosome 2. The proportion of F 2 phenotypic variation explained by significant additive and dominance QTL effects ranged from 1.06 to 3.33% and 0.71 to 4.36%, respectively. There was no evidence for imprinting effect on the studied traits.

In this study, the antibacterial activity of ethanol and methanol extracts of Zataria multiflora and Teucrium polium was determined against Paenibacillus alvei by disc diffusion method. Paenibacillus alvei is one secondary bacterium for the European foulbrood disease in honey bee. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined by using the serial dilution method. For this, Z. multiflora and T. polium are collected from different areas of Iran then they are dried and extracted in lab. The antibacterial effect of alcoholic extracts of Z. multiflora and T. polium was lower than usual standard antibiotics (P<0.01), but the ethanol and methanol extracts of Z. multiflora at a concentration of 60mg/ml, have inhibitory and lethal effects on P. alvei. Also, 100mg/ml concentrations of ethanol extract of T. polium has inhibitory and lethal effects on this bacterium. But, the no one of used concentrations of its methanol extract has inhibitory and lethal effects. Results indicated that used extracts of Z. multiflora have the higher antibacterial effects than extract of T. polium on Paenibacillus alvei. It can be concluded that regarding the high antibacterial power of Z. multiflora, it is necessity to work on how they can be used in control and treatment of bacterial honey bee diseases.

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The purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions, quantitative trait loci (QTL), affecting carcass traits on chromosome 1 in an F2 population of Japanese quail. For this purpose, two white and wild strains of Japanese quail (16 birds) were crossed reciprocally and F1 generation (34 birds) was created. The F2 generation was produced by intercrossing of the F1 birds. Phenotypic data including carcass weight, internal organs and carcass parts were collected on F2 animals (422 birds). The total mapping population (472 birds) was genotyped for 8 microsatellite markers on chromosome 1. QTL analysis was performed with interval mapping method applying the line-cross model. Significant QTL were identified for breast weight at 0 (P < 0.01), 172 (P < 0.05) and 206 (P < 0.01), carcass weight at 91 (P < 0.05), carcass fatness at 0 (P < 0.01), pre-stomach weight at 206 (P < 0.01) and uropygial weight gland at 197 (P < 0.01) cM on chromosome 1. There was also evidence for imprinted QTL affecting breast weight (P < 0.01) on chromosome 1. The proportion of the F2 phenotypic variation explained by the significant additive, dominance and imprinted QTL effects ranged from 1.0 to 7.3%, 1.2 to 3.3% and 1.4 to 2.2%, respectively.