Project 2.2
Functional signals and hologenomic selection for P utilisation and related efficiency traits in two contrasting high-yielding laying hen strains
Jörn Bennewitz / Amélia Camarinha-Silva
The starting points are the convincing results of the first funding period regarding the interplay of the ileum microbiota composition, the host genome, and the P utilization in the Japanese quail. In accordance with the overall aims of the Research Unit, the aims of the renewal period are to translate the results to modern and high yielding laying hens, to unravel the functional interrelationship between the metagenome and P utilization, and to further develop and asses the prospect of hologenomic selection of quantitative traits in these strains.
The following hypotheses will be tested:
1. The general pattern of the interplay between ileum microbiota composition, host genome, and P utilization identified in Japanese quail can be observed in Lohmann Brown-Classic (LB) and Lohmann LSL-Classic (LSL) as well, but with significant differences between the two strains.
2. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing reveals different functional signals related to P utilization and other efficiency traits in the LB and LSL strains.
3. Hologenomic selection is a novel and promising breeding tool in laying hens, especially for nutrient and feed efficiency traits.
