Overview
Body compositions is determined by interactions between environmental, hormonal, genetic, and nutritional factors. Commercial broiler chickens have been selected for increased muscle mass and rapid growth. Unfortunately, selection for these desirable commercial traits has led to a concomitant increase in excessive fat deposition. This is an undesirable trait from a production standpoint due to inefficient feed conversion and from a consumer viewpoint due to the increasing demand for leaner meats. Therefore identification of genetic markers for body fat would be of great commercial importance. Additionally, identification of genes involved in development of adiposity in chickens will lead us to similar discoveries related to human obesity.Researchers at the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland College Park have developed and validated specific oligonucleotide DNA primer sequences that can be used for genotyping specific polymorphisms in genomic DNA of chickens. These polymorphisms are associated with the amount of body fat in broiler chickens. Additionally, they are new markers that will add to the very limited repertoire of markers associated with the control of body fat.
For additional information please contact the Office of Technology Commercialization, University of Maryland. Phone: 301-405-3947. E-mail: [email protected]
Contact Info
UM Ventures
0134 Lee Building
7809 Regents Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 405-3947 | Fax: (301) 314-9502