Effects of Different Selection Methods Using Body Weight on Egg Yield Parameters in Japanese Quail

ABSTRACT This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different selection methods of parent lines on the body weight of Japanese quails. For this purpose, line M55 was subjected to individual selection for body weight at 5 weeks of age, while a reciprocal recurrent selection method was applied to lines R33 and S55. Selection lasted two generations. Body weight changes, age and weight at sexual maturity, egg weight, and egg production were investigated in the parent generations as well as in the selection lines. Body weight at 5 weeks of age of the parents of the M55, R33 and S55 lines were 299.0, 285.3, and 280.4 g in the first generation, and 314.8, 316.6, and 306.8±3.11 g in the second generation, respectively. The first generation of the M55, R33, and S55 lines presented egg production rates of 73.4, 77.6, and 75.8%, respectively, and egg weights of 12.7, 11.9, and 12.1g, respectively. The second generation of the M55, R33, and S55 lines presented egg production rates of 74.6, 77.8, and 78.3%, and egg weights of 12.72, 12.59, and 12.56 g, respectively. Both egg production and egg weights were significantly different between the first and the second generations (p>0.05). As a result, despite significant increase in body weight of the selection lines, no significant differences in egg production or egg weight were determined among generations. However, reciprocal selection lines of both generations presented higher egg yield than the individual selected line.

摘要 本试验旨在探究不同亲本系（parent lines）选择方法对日本鹌鹑体重的影响。为此，针对M55品系实施5周龄体重的个体选择（individual selection），而对R33与S55品系采用正反交反复选择（reciprocal recurrent selection）方法。选择过程持续两个世代。研究测定了亲本世代及各选择品系（selection lines）的体重变化、性成熟日龄与体重、蛋重及产蛋性能。M55、R33、S55品系亲本的5周龄体重，在第1世代分别为299.0g、285.3g与280.4g，第2世代分别为314.8g、316.6g与306.8±3.11g。M55、R33、S55品系第1世代的产蛋率分别为73.4%、77.6%与75.8%，相应蛋重分别为12.7g、11.9g与12.1g；第2世代的产蛋率分别为74.6%、77.8%与78.3%，相应蛋重分别为12.72g、12.59g与12.56g。产蛋性能与蛋重在两代间均存在显著差异（p>0.05）。结果表明，尽管各选择品系的体重均显著提升，但各世代间的产蛋性能与蛋重并未出现显著差异。不过，两个世代的正反交选择品系的产蛋量均高于个体选择品系。