International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 334-343 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 336 have shown that genomic predictions using SNP panels can significantly enhance the accuracy of selecting for traits like body weight and breast muscle yield in broilers (Momen et al., 2017; Boschiero et al., 2018). Additionally, the integration of genomic data with traditional pedigree information has been shown to improve predictive correlations and reduce mean-squared predictive error, thereby optimizing breeding outcomes. 3.2 Application in egg production traits (e.g., laying rate, egg quality) In the realm of egg production, GS has been employed to enhance traits such as laying rate and egg quality. Commercial poultry breeding companies have adopted GS to increase the rate of genetic progress for these performance traits by combining genotype and phenotype data to predict breeding values more accurately (Fulton and Wolc, 2020). For example, genomic selection has been used to identify key candidate genes associated with egg productivity and quality in different chicken breeds, thereby facilitating targeted breeding strategies (Boschiero et al., 2018; Abdelmanova et al., 2021). The use of GS in egg-type chickens has also been shown to improve the accuracy of selection and reduce the generation interval, although the scope for shortening the generation interval is less compared to meat-type chickens (Figure 1) (Wolc et al., 2016; Schmidt et al., 2023). Figure 1 Gene ontology results (Adopted from Schmidt et al., 2023) Image caption: Orange hexagons refer to GO terms and rectangles refer to proteins differentially enriched between modern (Red) and legacy (Green) chicken muscle (Adopted from Schmidt et al., 2023) 3.3 Incorporation of disease resistance traits Incorporating disease resistance traits into GS programs is crucial for enhancing the overall health and resilience of chicken populations. Genomic selection has been used to identify genetic markers associated with resistance to various diseases, thereby enabling the selection of individuals with superior immune responses. For instance, studies have identified candidate genes related to disease resistance, such as those involved in the immune response pathways, which can be targeted in breeding programs to improve disease resistance in chickens (Mahdabi et al., 2021; Schmidt et al., 2023). This approach not only helps in maintaining the health of the flock but also reduces the reliance on antibiotics and other treatments. 3.4 Role of GS in maintaining genetic diversity Maintaining genetic diversity is a critical aspect of sustainable breeding programs, and GS plays a significant role in this regard. By using a wide array of genetic markers, GS allows for the selection of individuals that contribute
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