October 20,  2020

Roslin: Study could help breed healthier Ethiopian poultry

Scientists have identified genes that could be linked to resistance to major poultry diseases, which could improve the health, productivity and resilience of chickens in sub-Saharan Africa, the Roslin Institute said.

Their findings could inform selective breeding to help limit the incidence of infectious bursal disease, Marek's disease and fowl typhoid, as well as the important parasite infections Eimeria and cestode.

Genes associated with important traits, such those connected to productivity and disease resistance, are similar in two distinct indigenous chicken populations from different environments in Ethiopia, the study shows.

This is the first time researchers have collectively studied genetic data from African chickens known to be genetically different despite belonging to the same species.

Scientists analysed more than 700 chickens from villages in two distinct parts of Ethiopia. Some were from a high altitude, humid region, while others were from a lowland, arid part of the country.

They studied the chickens' whole genetic makeup to look for common variations associated with specific traits.

Given the success of the study, bigger genetic datasets can be used for research to speed up genomic selection, the scientists concluded.

"This work was the outcome of an interdisciplinary effort from scientists in multiple research institutes. Our study contributes to better understanding the dynamics and potential of indigenous African genetic resources for the benefit of poultry farming. We hope that the message conveyed by the present work will promote future collaborations across different regions," said Dr. Androniki Psifidi of the Roslin Institute and Royal Veterinary College.

"We are very excited with these results and plan to continue our work on improving chicken productivity and farm sustainability. Chicken production has a multifaceted role in alleviating hunger and poverty and enhancing social structures and quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa," said Professor Georgios Banos of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and Roslin Institute.

The study, which was published in Frontiers in Genetics, involved scientists from Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health partnering with the Roslin Institute, SRUC and International Livestock Research Institute.

It was funded by the UK Research and Innovation's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Scottish government and CTLGH.

- The Roslin Institute