Endogenous viral genes may act as potential genetic markers for uncovering quantitative trait loci in chickens, with their effects dependent on the genetic background of the strain.
Strain-specific ev gene associations in chickens are hypothesis-generating; leaves open their utility as QTL markers pending validation across backgrounds.
The association of endogenous viral (ev) genes with quantitative traits in 2 genetically distinct sets of White Leghorn strains were investigated. Strain S had been selected for susceptibility to Marek's disease (MD) whereas strain K had been selected for resistance to MD and high egg production and egg weight. 2. In all, 8 ev genes were typed. Ev10, ev19 and 'newB' occurred exclusively in strain S, 'newA' occurred only in strain K, and ev1, ev3, ev6 and ev8 occurred in both strains. 3. Whereas ev6 and ev8 were associated with reduction in egg production rate in strain S, in strain K, the presence of ev3 was associated with increased group specific antigen. 4. The genetic background of the chicken strain may play a role in the way certain ev genes affect traits. 5. It was thought that the position of ev genes on the chromosome may be important and their association with traits of economic importance make them potential genetic markers for uncovering quantitative trait loci.
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Aggrey et al. (1998) studied this question.
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