Sex ratio of offspring in turkeys with different genotypes
¹Scientific Centre for Risk Assessment and Analysis in Food Safety Area, 107/2 of Masis Highway, AM0071 Yerevan, Armenia
²Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology, ANAU Armenian National Agrarian University, Teryan 74 Str., AM0009 Yerevan, Armenia
³Research Center for Farm Animal Breeding, Genetics and Nutrition, ANAU Armenian National Agrarian University, Teryan 74 Str., AM0009 Yerevan, Armenia
*Correspondence: tatevaloyan22@gmail.com
Abstract:
Artificial regulation of the sex ratio in poultry is a critical component of intensive livestock production. It is obvious that the sex of a bird is determined not only by genetic factors but also by a number of other factors, which greatly complicates the introduction of any desired changes in the sex ratio and the solution of tasks that have significant scientific and industrial importance. The article presents results on the formation of androgenesis (male sex development) and gynogenesis (female sex development) in turkeys, due to genotype. The results demonstrate that the sex ratio in progeny significantly varies depending on parental genotype and genotype frequency. Specifically, turkeys with genotypes TfCC CpBC HbBC and TfCC Cp – HbBC produced predominantly male offspring (78% and 69%, respectively). Conversely, genotypes TfAA CpCD HbAB and TfBD CpCD HbAA resulted in predominantly female offspring (65%). In contrast, turkeys with genotypes TfAB CpBD HbCC, TfBC CpAB HbBD, and TfCD CpCC HbCD exhibited a balanced sex ratio in their offspring (P < 0.05). These findings highlight the potential use of genotype-based sex prediction as a genetic marker tool in turkey selection and breeding programs, offering a valuable approach for optimizing productivity in commercial poultry farming.
Key words:
allele, androgenesis, gynogenesis, locus, polymorphic protein, Turkey