Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 36-44 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 42 4.3 Potential applications of genome editing technology in genetic improvement of poultry CRISPR-Cas9 technology, as a revolutionary gene editing tool, provides the possibility for precise modification of poultry genomes. By designing specific guiding RNAs (gRNAs) to locate specific sequences in the genome, CRISPR-Cas9 can accurately cleave DNA, thereby achieving gene knockout, insertion, or modification (Tang et al., 2024). By utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 technology, scientists can perform targeted editing on key genes that affect egg production performance, in order to increase egg production rates, improve egg quality, or enhance disease resistance in poultry. For example, by knocking out genes that have a negative impact on egg production performance or enhancing genes that have a positive impact, the economic traits of poultry can be directly improved. The advantage of this method lies in its efficiency and accuracy, which can achieve genetic improvement without introducing exogenous DNA, thus avoiding controversy over genetically modified organisms. With the development and application of high-throughput sequencing, functional genomics methods, and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, genetic research on poultry egg production performance is facing unprecedented opportunities. These technologies not only provide tools for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of poultry egg production performance, but also open up new avenues for genetic improvement in poultry. In the future, with more research and technological progress, it is expected to achieve more efficient and precise poultry breeding strategies to meet the growing global food demand. 5 Strategies and Challenges for Genetic Improvement of Egg Production Performance in Poultry 5.1 Breeding strategy based on GWAS results Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) provides a powerful tool for genetic improvement of poultry egg production performance, enabling researchers to identify genetic markers significantly associated with egg production performance. Based on GWAS results, breeding strategies can more accurately select individuals with excellent genetic traits, thereby improving breeding efficiency and effectiveness. This method relies on large-scale genetic information and complex data analysis, aiming to accelerate the breeding process, improve egg production rate and other related traits through genetic marker assisted selection (MAS) (Ru et al., 2023). In practical applications, breeding based on genetic markers discovered by GWAS requires comprehensive consideration of the efficacy of genetic markers, genetic background, and environmental factors. With the advancement of sequencing technology and the reduction of costs, genome-wide selection (GWS) has become possible. This method not only considers individual markers, but also utilizes whole genome information, providing a more comprehensive genetic prediction for improving poultry egg production performance. However, how to accurately evaluate the association between genetic markers and trait performance, and effectively apply this information to practical breeding, remains an important challenge in current research and application. 5.2 The balance between genetic diversity protection and genetic improvement While pursuing improved egg production performance in poultry, protecting genetic diversity is crucial for maintaining population health, adaptability, and long-term breeding potential. Overreliance on a few genotypes with high egg production performance may lead to the loss of genetic diversity, thereby increasing the population's vulnerability to environmental changes and diseases. Finding a balance between genetic improvement and genetic diversity conservation is a major challenge faced by poultry breeding. One balancing strategy is to implement rotation mating and multi variety hybrid breeding programs to maintain genetic diversity while improving egg production performance. In addition, modern genetic tools such as genome selection can accurately select favorable genetic variations without sacrificing genetic diversity. By monitoring genetic diversity indicators and considering them in the breeding process, genetic resources can be effectively managed to ensure the long-term sustainable development of poultry populations.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODY0NQ==