Abstract：
Eggshell color is an important visual characteristic that affects consumer preferences for eggs. Eggshell color, which has moderate to high heritability, can be effectively enhanced through molecular marker selection. Various studies have been conducted on eggshell color at specific time points. However, few longitudinal data are available on eggshell color. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate eggshell color using the Commission International de L\'Eclairage L*a*b* system with multiple measurements at different ages (age at the first egg and at 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 66, and 72 weeks) within the same individuals from an F2 resource population produced by crossing White Leghorn and Dongxiang Blue chicken. Using an Affymetrix 600 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, we estimated the genetic parameters of the eggshell color trait, performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and screened for the potential candidate genes. The results showed that pink-shelled eggs displayed a significant negative correlation between L* values and both a* and b* values. Genetic heritability based on SNPs showed that the heritability of L*, a*, and b* values ranged from 0.32 to 0.82 for pink-shelled eggs, indicating a moderate to high level of genetic control. The genetic correlations at each time point were mostly above 0.5. The major-effect regions affecting the pink eggshell color were identified in the 10.3-13.0 Mb interval on Gallus gallus chromosome 20, and candidate genes were selected, including SLC35C2, PCIF1, and SLC12A5. Minor effect polygenic regions were identified on chromosomes 1, 6, 9, 12, and 15, revealing 11 candidate genes, including MTMR3 and SLC35E4. Members of the solute carrier family play an important role in influencing eggshell color. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the phenotypic and genetic aspects underlying the variation in eggshell color. Using GWAS analysis, we identified multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for pink eggshell color, including a major QTL on chromosome 20. Genetic variants associated with eggshell color may be used in genomic breeding programs.
摘要：
蛋壳颜色是影响消费者对鸡蛋偏好的重要视觉特征。蛋壳颜色,具有中等到高的遗传力，可以通过分子标记选择得到有效的增强。已经在特定时间点对蛋壳颜色进行了各种研究。然而,关于蛋壳颜色的纵向数据很少。因此,这项研究的目的是使用国际委员会deL\'EclairageL*a*b*系统，在不同年龄（第一个鸡蛋的年龄和32、36、40、44、48、52、56、60、66和72周）对同一个体的蛋壳颜色进行调查。使用Affymetrix600单核苷酸多态性（SNP）阵列，我们估计了蛋壳颜色性状的遗传参数，进行全基因组关联研究(GWAS)，并筛选潜在的候选基因。结果表明，粉壳蛋的L*值与a*和b*值之间呈显着负相关。基于SNP的遗传遗传力表明，L*的遗传力，a*,粉壳蛋的b*值范围为0.32至0.82，表明中等到高水平的遗传控制。各时间点的遗传相关性大多在0.5以上。在Gallusgallus20染色体的10.3-13.0Mb间隔中鉴定了影响粉红色蛋壳颜色的主要效应区域，并选择了候选基因，包括SLC35C2、PCIF1和SLC12A5。在染色体1、6、9、12和15上鉴定出影响较小的多基因区域，揭示了11个候选基因，包括MTMR3和SLC35E4。溶质载体家族的成员在影响蛋壳颜色方面起着重要作用。总的来说,我们的发现为蛋壳颜色变异的表型和遗传方面提供了有价值的见解。使用GWAS分析，我们确定了粉红色蛋壳颜色的多个数量性状位点（QTL），在20号染色体上包括一个主要的QTL。与蛋壳颜色相关的遗传变异可用于基因组育种程序。
