MHC-B variation in maternal and paternal synthetic lines of the Argentinian Campero INTA chicken

The Campero-INTA chicken of Argentina was developed to provide a robust bird that can survive under Argentinian pasture conditions with no significant additional nutrition, producing a source of animal protein for small producers or low-income families. In previous work we described the AH paternal line of Campero and its Major Histocompatibility Complex B region (MHC-B) variation. In this work we analyzed the three remaining synthetic lines used to produce the Campero-INTA production bird: lines AS, A and E. Because of the association between variation within the MHC of chickens and disease resistance, MHC variation within this breed is of particular interest. MHC variability within the lines used to produce the Campero-INTA chicken was examined using a 90 SNP panel encompassing the chicken MHC-B region plus the VNTR, LEI0258, located within the chicken MHC. Across all four lines 12 haplotypes were found, with 7 of these being previously reported in North America/European breeds, reflecting the original breed sources for these birds. Three Campero unique haplotypes were found, two of which likely originated from MHC recombination events. MHC-B variation for all lines involved with production of the final Campero-INTA bird have now been determined.EEA PergaminoFil: Iglesias, Gabriela M. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y Producción Agroindustrial. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Beker, María P. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y Producción Agroindustrial. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Remolins, José S. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y Producción Agroindustrial. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Canet, Zulma Edith. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Sección Avicultura; ArgentinaFil: Canet, Zulma Edith. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Librera, José. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Cantaro, Horacio Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; ArgentinaFil: Cantaro, Horacio Luis. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Sede Alto Valle y Valle Medio. Escuela de Veterinaria y Producción Agroindustrial. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Maizon, Daniel Omar Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Fulton, Janet E. Hy-Line International; Estados Unido

Comparative Characterization at Slaughter of Five Experimental Hybrids of Free Range Chickens with Different Maternal Genotype

Se evaluaron la proporción de pechuga, pata muslo y grasa abdominal y el rendimiento a la faena de machos pertenecientes a cinco grupos genéticos experimentales de pollos camperos. Los grupos provenían del cruzamiento entre gallos de la población sintética paterna AH’, mejorada por tasa de crecimiento y eficiencia alimenticia y gallinas de cinco poblaciones sintéticas maternas. Como grupo testigo se utilizaron machos contemporáneos de la versión tradicional de Campero INTA. Las aves producto de estos cruzamientos experimentales presentaron valores promedio, tanto en lo que se refiere al desarrollo de la pechuga como al rendimiento de la canal a la faena, compatibles con su producción comercial, si bien la proporción de grasa abdominal supera a la registrada en el grupo de referencia y a los valores habitualmente informados en la bibliografía referida a pollos camperos. Las diferentes poblaciones sintéticas maternas evaluadas pueden considerarse equivalentes en la medida en que los valores promedio de los caracteres a la faena no permiten una discriminación neta entre ellas.The proportion of breast, thigh and abdominal fat and carcase yield at slaughter were evaluated in males from five experimental genetic groups of free range chickens derived from crossing roosters of the paternal synthetic population AH‘, selected for growth rate and feed efficiency, with hens from five maternal synthetic populations. Contemporary males belonging to the traditional version of Campero INTA birds were used as control. Birds of the five experimental crosses exhibited average values regarding breast weight and also in their yield at slaughter, both compatible with commercial production, although the proportion of abdominal fat was greater than that recorded in the reference group and also greater than values normally reported in the literature. In terms of these traits registered in the progeny resulting from the above mentioned crossing, the five maternal synthetic populations may be considered equivalent, as a clear discrimination among them was difficult to carry on.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Comparative Characterization at Slaughter of Five Experimental Hybrids of Free Range Chickens with Different Maternal Genotype

Se evaluaron la proporción de pechuga, pata muslo y grasa abdominal y el rendimiento a la faena de machos pertenecientes a cinco grupos genéticos experimentales de pollos camperos. Los grupos provenían del cruzamiento entre gallos de la población sintética paterna AH’, mejorada por tasa de crecimiento y eficiencia alimenticia y gallinas de cinco poblaciones sintéticas maternas. Como grupo testigo se utilizaron machos contemporáneos de la versión tradicional de Campero INTA. Las aves producto de estos cruzamientos experimentales presentaron valores promedio, tanto en lo que se refiere al desarrollo de la pechuga como al rendimiento de la canal a la faena, compatibles con su producción comercial, si bien la proporción de grasa abdominal supera a la registrada en el grupo de referencia y a los valores habitualmente informados en la bibliografía referida a pollos camperos. Las diferentes poblaciones sintéticas maternas evaluadas pueden considerarse equivalentes en la medida en que los valores promedio de los caracteres a la faena no permiten una discriminación neta entre ellas.The proportion of breast, thigh and abdominal fat and carcase yield at slaughter were evaluated in males from five experimental genetic groups of free range chickens derived from crossing roosters of the paternal synthetic population AH‘, selected for growth rate and feed efficiency, with hens from five maternal synthetic populations. Contemporary males belonging to the traditional version of Campero INTA birds were used as control. Birds of the five experimental crosses exhibited average values regarding breast weight and also in their yield at slaughter, both compatible with commercial production, although the proportion of abdominal fat was greater than that recorded in the reference group and also greater than values normally reported in the literature. In terms of these traits registered in the progeny resulting from the above mentioned crossing, the five maternal synthetic populations may be considered equivalent, as a clear discrimination among them was difficult to carry on.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Effect of separate sex growing on productive traits in a threeway experimental cross of the freerange chicken

El pollo Campero INTA es un ave con menor velocidad de crecimiento que los parrilleros comerciales cuya producción se encuentra protocolizada, si bien dicho protocolo no establece condiciones referidas a la modalidad de crianza mixta o con separación de sexos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de dicha práctica sobre el patrón dinámico de crecimiento, la uniformidad por precisión, la conformación corporal y los caracteres a la faena en el cruzamiento experimental de tres vías Campero Casilda. Las aves se criaron en confinamiento como un único grupo hasta los 35 días y bajo dos modalidades (lotes mixtos y lotes de un único sexo) durante la etapa con acceso a parque, entre los 36 días y la faena a los 77 días de edad. La separación por sexo fue ventajosa para los machos, en tanto al crecer solos lo hicieron hacia un mayor peso asintótico y con menor tasa de maduración, lo que implica mayor eficiencia alimenticia. Este patrón no afectó el peso a la edad de faena ni el rendimiento y se tradujo en mayor proporción de los cortes de valor carnicero y menor proporción de grasa. Las hembras criadas en lotes por separado crecieron hacia un menor peso asintótico, con mayor tasa de maduración, relación desfavorable en términos de eficiencia alimenticia, alcanzaron menor peso a la edad de faena y, si bien, presentaron menor contenido de grasa e igual proporción de pata muslo, manifestaron una leve reducción en la proporción de pechuga y en el rendimiento.Campero INTA is a type of bird with a slower growth rate than commercial broilers with a standardised production protocol; however, the protocol does not establish conditions related to sex separation during breeding. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of sex separation on body growth pattern, uniformity by precision, body conformation and slaughter traits in the threeway experimental cross Campero Casilda chickens. The birds were kept in confinement as a single group until 35 days of age and then separated into two treatments (mixed and single sex) during the freerange stage, between 36 days and slaughter at 77 days of age. Sex separation was advantageous for males which evidenced greater asymptotic weight and lower maturation rate, suggesting better feed efficiency. In addition, sex separation in males did not affect body weight at slaughter age or carcass yield and resulted in a greater proportion valuable muscle cuts and a lower proportion of body fat. On the other hand, females raised alone, evidenced lower asymptotic weight, and a higher maturation rate, suggesting lower feed efficiency. In addition, they reached a lower weight at slaughter age and, although they had a lower fat content and an equal proportion of thigh, showed a slight decrease in the proportion of breast and a reduction in yield.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Yolk:albumen ratio in eggs from laying hens of three genotypes for semi-intensive systems

Se estudió el comportamiento dinámico de la relación yema:albumen en huevos del cruzamiento de tres vías Campero Casilda en comparación con Negra INTA y Rhode Island Red. Se trabajó con muestras aleatorias de 15 huevos de cada grupo genético, extraídas cada cuatro semanas entre las 26 y las 70 semanas de edad. Se calcularon las proporciones de yema y albumen y la relación entre ambas. Los datos de la proporción de yema y de la relación yema:albumen en función de la edad se ajustaron con la función de Brody, mientras que para el análisis de los datos correspondientes a la proporción de albumen se utilizó un modelo exponencial decreciente. Los huevos Campero Casilda presentaron similar proporción de yema que Negra INTA en el inicio del ciclo y mayor al finalizar el mismo. Rhode Island Red presentó la menor proporción de yema, la mayor de albumen y la menor relación yema:albumen. La menor proporción de albumen y la mayor relación yema:albumen correspondió a Campero Casilda mientras que Negra INTA presentó valores intermedios de ambos. El mayor contenido de sólidos totales de los huevos de Campero Casilda constituye una ventaja comparativa en términos del valor nutricional, característica de particular trascendencia para la población con necesidades básicas insatisfechas que representa su principal destinataria.The dynamic behaviour of the yolk: albumen ratio was studied in eggs from hens of the three-way cross Campero Casilda compared to Negra INTA and Rhode Island Red. Eggs (n=15) were randomly collected from each genetic group every four weeks between 26 and 70 weeks of age. The proportions of yolk and albumen and the relationship between them were calculated. Yolk proportion and yolk albumen ratio data as a function of age were adjusted with the Brody function and albumen proportion was analyzed using an exponential decay model. Campero Casilda eggs showed a similar proportion of yolk to Negra INTA at the beginning and a higher one at the end of the productive cycle. Rhode Island Red presented the lowest proportion of yolk, the highest proportion of albumen and the lowest yolk: albumen ratio. The lowest albumen proportion and the highest yolk albumen ratio corresponded to Campero Casilda while Negra INTA showed intermediate values of both traits. The higher content of total solids in Campero Casilda eggs constitutes a comparative advantage in terms of nutritional value, a relevant feature when considering the human population with unsatisfied basic needs to which this genotype is particularly destined.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Yolk: albumen ratio in eggs from laying hens of three genotypes for semi-intensive systems

Se estudió el comportamiento dinámico de la relación yema:albumen en huevos del cruzamiento de tres vías Campero Casilda en comparación con Negra INTA y Rhode Island Red. Se trabajó con muestras aleatorias de 15 huevos de cada grupo genético, extraídas cada cuatro semanas entre las 26 y las 70 semanas de edad. Se calcularon las proporciones de yema y albumen y la relación entre ambas. Los datos de la proporción de yema y de la relación yema:albumen en función de la edad se ajustaron con la función de Brody mientras que para el análisis de los datos correspondientes a la proporción de albumen se utilizó un modelo exponencial decreciente. Los huevos Campero Casilda presentaron similar proporción de yema que Negra INTA en el inicio del ciclo y mayor al finalizar el mismo. Rhode Island Red presentó la menor proporción de yema, la mayor de albumen y la menor relación yema:albumen. La menor proporción de albumen y la mayor relación yema:albumen correspondió a Campero Casilda mientras que Negra INTA presentó valores intermedios de ambos. El mayor contenido de sólidos totales de los huevos de Campero Casilda constituye una ventaja comparativa en términos del valor nutricional, característica de particular trascendencia para la población con necesidades básicas insatisfechas que representa su principal destinataria.The dynamic behaviour of the yolk: albumen ratio was studied in eggs from hens of the three-way cross Campero Casilda compared to Negra INTA and Rhode Island Red. Eggs (n=15) were randomly collected from each genetic group every four weeks between 26 and 70 weeks of age. The proportions of yolk and albumen and the relationship between them were calculated. Yolk proportion and yolk albumen ratio data as a function of age were adjusted with the Brody function and albumen proportion was analyzed using an exponential decay model. Campero Casilda eggs showed a similar proportion of yolk to Negra INTA at the beginning and a higher one at the end of the productive cycle. Rhode Island Red presented the lowest proportion of yolk, the highest proportion of albumen and the lowest yolk: albumen ratio. The lowest albumen proportion and the highest yolk albumen ratio corresponded to Campero Casilda while Negra INTA showed intermediate values of both traits. The higher content of total solids in Campero Casilda eggs constitutes a comparative advantage in terms of nutritional value, a relevant feature when considering the human population with unsatisfied basic needs to which this genotype is particularly destined.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria PergaminoFil: Romera, Bernardo Martín. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Romera, Bernardo Martín. Programa Estratégico de Formación de Recursos Humanos en Investigación y Desarrollo (PERHID). Becario; ArgentinaFil: Perrotta, Cristian H. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Aves y Pilíferos; ArgentinaFil: Savoy, Juan Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Aves y Pilíferos; ArgentinaFil: Antruejo, Alejandra E. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Aves y Pilíferos; ArgentinaFil: Canet, Zulma Edith. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Sección Avicultura; Argentina.Fil: Canet, Zulma Edith. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria. Cátedra de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Dottavio, Ana María. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra Genética; Argentina.Fil: Di Masso, Ricardo José. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria. Cátedra de Genética; Argentina

Relationship between body composition and production traits in a free-range broiler stock

Abstract: The objective of this work was to establish phenotypic relationships among some production traits (feed conversion rate, feed consumptionFC, residual feed consumption, relative weight gain, weight gain-WG and live weight) and body composition traits in a free-range broiler population (Campero- INTA). Ninety-six males in individual cages between 49 and 79 days of age were used. Weight and feed consumption was recorded weekly. Forty- four broilers were slaughtered at 44 days of age to estimate the initial body composition. All caged birds were slaughtered at 79 days of age and the following weights were recorded: live, carcass (CW), viscera (VW), abdominal fat (AFW), breast, thigh (TW) and feathers. Correlation coefficients between traits were obtained and regression analysis was performed for the evaluation of the influence of production traits over the slaughter proportion gain and slaughter weight gain of the body components. Any proportion gain between slaughters was well explained by the measured and calculated production traits. Only the gain of two body components (CW, TW) was well explained by some of them (WG, FC). There was little association between body components and production traits when they were analyzed independently. But when proportions of body components were correlated with all production traits by a canonical correlation, AFW and VW proportions were the most important variables, with opposite signs, in the association. Some observed correlations encouraged us to further study these traits for selection criteria

Dynamic behavior of early body weight in meat type chickens with different age at the same target slaughter weight

Con el objetivo de caracterizar el comportamiento del peso corporal en dos poblaciones de pollos de crecimiento lento (híbrido simple Casilda CP y Campero INTA) en comparación con el parrillero comercial Cobb 500, se pesaron en forma individual, a intervalos semanales entre el nacimiento y la faena, 20 machos y 20 hembras de cada grupo. Los datos peso corporal - edad se ajustaron a un modelo exponencial creciente y los valores de los estimadores de los parámetros S (valor de inicio) y k (tasa de crecimiento) correspondientes a cada ave se utilizaron como nuevas variables aleatorias. En ambos sexos Cobb 500 mostró mayor valor de S sin que se observaran diferencias significativas entre los grupos de crecimiento lento. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre grupos en los valores de k. La intensa selección por velocidad de crecimiento aplicada a las poblaciones de reproductores pesados, responsable de la reducción del número de días requerido para alcanzar un determinado peso objetivo de faena, habría afectado la regulación del proceso en un nivel muy primario de la cadena de eventos vinculados con la fenogénesis del peso corporal, fijando un nivel más elevado de esta variable respuesta sin modificar la tasa de crecimiento relativo.In order to characterize the dynamic behavior of body weight in two populations of slow-growing chickens (Casilda CP and Campero INTA) compared to the commercial broiler Cobb 500; 20 males and 20 females of each group were weighed individually at weekly intervals between birth and slaughter. Body weight-age data were fit to an exponential model and the values of the parameter estimates, S (start value) and k (growth rate), for each bird were used as new random variables. In both sexes Cobb 500 showed a higher value of S than Casilda CP y Campero INTA with no apparent differences between the groups of slow growth. There were no significant differences among groups in k values. Artificial selection for growth rate applied to heavy breeders populations, responsible for reducing the number of days required to reach a target slaughter weight, would have affected the regulation of the process in a very primary level of the chain of events linked to body weight phenogenesis, setting a higher level of this variable response without changing the relative growth rate.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Comparative Characterization at Slaughter of Five Experimental Hybrids of Free Range Chickens with Different Maternal Genotype

Se evaluaron la proporción de pechuga, pata muslo y grasa abdominal y el rendimiento a la faena de machos pertenecientes a cinco grupos genéticos experimentales de pollos camperos. Los grupos provenían del cruzamiento entre gallos de la población sintética paterna AH’, mejorada por tasa de crecimiento y eficiencia alimenticia y gallinas de cinco poblaciones sintéticas maternas. Como grupo testigo se utilizaron machos contemporáneos de la versión tradicional de Campero INTA. Las aves producto de estos cruzamientos experimentales presentaron valores promedio, tanto en lo que se refiere al desarrollo de la pechuga como al rendimiento de la canal a la faena, compatibles con su producción comercial, si bien la proporción de grasa abdominal supera a la registrada en el grupo de referencia y a los valores habitualmente informados en la bibliografía referida a pollos camperos. Las diferentes poblaciones sintéticas maternas evaluadas pueden considerarse equivalentes en la medida en que los valores promedio de los caracteres a la faena no permiten una discriminación neta entre ellas.The proportion of breast, thigh and abdominal fat and carcase yield at slaughter were evaluated in males from five experimental genetic groups of free range chickens derived from crossing roosters of the paternal synthetic population AH‘, selected for growth rate and feed efficiency, with hens from five maternal synthetic populations. Contemporary males belonging to the traditional version of Campero INTA birds were used as control. Birds of the five experimental crosses exhibited average values regarding breast weight and also in their yield at slaughter, both compatible with commercial production, although the proportion of abdominal fat was greater than that recorded in the reference group and also greater than values normally reported in the literature. In terms of these traits registered in the progeny resulting from the above mentioned crossing, the five maternal synthetic populations may be considered equivalent, as a clear discrimination among them was difficult to carry on.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Mhc-B haplotypes in "Campero-Inta" chicken synthetic line

Abstract: The major histocompatibility complex-B (MHC-B) in chickens is a cluster of genes located on chromosome 16. The chicken MHC-B is known to be highly associated with resistance to numerous diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasitic pathogens. Since the level of resistance varies with MHC-B haplotypes, identification and classification of different haplotypes within lines is important for sustaining lines. The "Campero-INTA" chicken breed is a meat-type free-range poultry breed that was developed specifically for small producers in Argentina. Campero-INTA was started by selection in populations produced by crosses between a variety of established lines. MHC-B variation was examined in 65 samples obtained in 2002 using the VNTR marker LEI0258, a marker for MHC-B region. These samples plus and an additional 55 samples from 2018 were examined for variation using the MHC-B specific SNP panel that encompasses ∼230,000 bp of the MHC-B region. Eleven MHC-B SNP haplotypes with 6 LEI0258 alleles were identified in the 120 samples representing the Campero-INTA AH (male) line. Seven haplotypes originate from the breeds originally used in the development of Campero-INTA AH line. Two appear to be recombinant haplotypes. The origin of the remaining 2 is not known, but may be associated with genes introduced from crosses with the Fayoumi breed conducted more recently to sustain the line