Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
2.7
Journals
Animals
Special Issues
Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Local Poultry Breeds
share announcement

Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Local Poultry Breeds

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2777

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bolin Cai

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
Interests: poultry genetics and breeding; genomics; bioinformation
Prof. Dr. Xiquan Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
Interests: poultry genetics and breeding; genomics; molecular genetics
Dr. Zhijun Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Interests: genetic breeding and reproduction of poultry; local germplasm resources; genetic diversity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animal genetic resources are crucial for ensuring global food security and ecological balance, and their conservation and effective use are vital for sustainable agricultural development. As an important component of animal husbandry, the poultry industry provides an abundant source of meat and eggs that carry significant economic value and ecological significance. However, due to environmental changes and genetic erosion, some valuable genetic resources have become extinct or are on the brink of extinction. Today, advances in biotechnological tools, such as whole-genome resequencing, DNA microarray, primordial germ cell in vitro culture technology, and gene banks have greatly accelerated our understanding of the genetic diversity and molecular evolution of local poultry breeds and have contributed to the accurate identification and conservation of these breeds.

We warmly invite you to contribute any novel findings or insights related to the genetic diversity and conservation of local poultry breeds.

Dr. Bolin Cai
Prof. Dr. Xiquan Zhang
Dr. Zhijun Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • poultry genetic resources
  • genetic diversity
  • molecular evolution
  • high-quality genome
  • primordial germ cell
  • conservation and utilization
  • multi omics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 816 KB  
Article
Genetic and Phenotypic Parameter Estimates of Body Weight and Egg Production Traits of Tilili Chicken in Ethiopia
by Birhan Kassa, Mengistie Taye, Wondmeneh Esatu, Adebabay Kebede, Mekonnen Girma, Fasil Getachew Kebede, Georgios Banos, Kellie Watson, Olivier Hanotte and Tadelle Dessie
Animals 2025, 15(18), 2656; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15182656 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 492
Abstract
High genetic variation in African indigenous chicken populations provides opportunities for long-term genetic improvement. This study estimated genetic parameters for economic traits based on data derived from a nucleus flock comprising two generations, derived from 40 sires and 200 dams in a line [...] Read more.
High genetic variation in African indigenous chicken populations provides opportunities for long-term genetic improvement. This study estimated genetic parameters for economic traits based on data derived from a nucleus flock comprising two generations, derived from 40 sires and 200 dams in a line breeding program through mass selection. Body weight (BW) at different weeks was analyzed for 1370 chickens. Similarly, egg performance was evaluated on 473 hens kept for 44 weeks. Genetic parameters were estimated using a multi-trait animal model based on an average information-restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML) algorithm in WOMBAT software. Body weight showed significant heritability (p < 0.001), ranging from 0.251 for body weight at 8 weeks of age (BW8) to 0.34 for body weight at 16 weeks of age (BW16), indicating a good genetic improvement potential. Egg production traits had low to moderate heritability (0.08–0.37). Positive genetic correlations among growth traits, particularly BW8 and body weight at 12 weeks of age, BW12 (rG = 0.94), suggest shared genetic influences and the possibility of improving multiple traits simultaneously. The genetic correlation between BW16 and the cumulative egg number varied from low and negative (−0.02) in the first two months to high (0.51) in the cumulative egg number over six months, suggesting that heavier birds lay more eggs over time. Our limited dataset based on two generations and pedigree demonstrates that BW16 with egg production has moderate heritability and strong genetic correlations that can lead to genetic progress toward the development of a dual-purpose breed, and this offers a scientific basis for breeders to develop selection indices to develop a dual-purpose breed for smallholder production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Local Poultry Breeds)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1487 KB  
Article
Explaining Global Turkey Biometric Diversity Through Principal Component Analysis
by José Ignacio Salgado Pardo, Antonio González Ariza, Laura Carranco Medina, José Manuel León Jurado, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo, Stefano Paolo Marelli, Silvia Cerolini, Luisa Zaniboni and María Esperanza Camacho Vallejo
Animals 2025, 15(17), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15172537 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 611
Abstract
The morphological diversity of the domestic turkey is still an open question in poultry research. For this reason, a meta-analysis with 97 reports from 28 morphometric characterization studies covering 15 different turkey genotypes was carried out in the present study. Biometric measurements and [...] Read more.
The morphological diversity of the domestic turkey is still an open question in poultry research. For this reason, a meta-analysis with 97 reports from 28 morphometric characterization studies covering 15 different turkey genotypes was carried out in the present study. Biometric measurements and indices collected from the articles were used as independent variables in three principal component analyses. The highest variance explaining power was achieved in the analysis including only biometric indices, with more than 70% in the first two principal components for both sexes. The ‘leg length’, ‘body mass’, ‘shape’, and ‘tarsus’ indices were those with higher explanatory power, the latter two particularly so in females. In addition, ‘head’ was such a high variance explaining body region, especially in males, while for females, the ‘leg’ showed high variability between breeds. The spatial representation of observations drew an interesting grouping pattern, proposing an ‘African’ and ‘Mediterranean’ trunk of turkeys based just on biometric traits. The correlation matrix showed positive and negative associations between the variables, especially stronger in females. Breast circumference was negatively correlated with weight and size traits, suggesting that turkey landraces differ in body conformation and environmental requirements. Despite data limitations, particularly in terms of available breed reports and measures taken, consistent results were obtained. The results of the present work could be common guidelines for the phenotypic characterization of turkey breeds worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Local Poultry Breeds)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5477 KB  
Article
Structural Analysis of the AlkB Family in Poultry
by Yuling Niu, Kan Li, Xuerong You, Yutao Wu, Xue Du, Ayong Zhao and Zhijun Wang
Animals 2025, 15(13), 1942; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15131942 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 487
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the AlkB family genes in poultry using bioinformatics, and to explore their molecular characteristics, evolutionary relationships, and expression patterns to clarify their potential functions in poultry. (1) Methods: The study utilized the NCBI database to [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to identify the AlkB family genes in poultry using bioinformatics, and to explore their molecular characteristics, evolutionary relationships, and expression patterns to clarify their potential functions in poultry. (1) Methods: The study utilized the NCBI database to obtain chicken genome data, and screened and validated AlkB family members (ALKBH1-5, ALKBH8, and FTO) by hmmsearch and TBtools. MEGA 11.0 was used for phylogenetic analysis, PHYRE2 and I-TASSER predicted protein structures, and the String database was used to construct an interoperability network. Finally, the tissue expression profiles were analyzed by using The Human Protein Atlas online database and qRT-PCR. (2) Results: Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct avian and mammalian clusters, with chicken AlkB proteins exhibiting low sequence homology but conserved 3D structures compared to mammals. Chromosomal synteny and conserved domains highlighted evolutionary divergence, with ALKBH4 lacking typical AlkB structural motifs. Protein interaction networks linked ALKBH1/2/3/5/8/FTO, underscoring functional coordination in poultry adaptation. Tissue-specific expression showed high AlkB levels in brain tissues, while ALKBH5 dominated in muscle. During differentiation, ALKBH3, ALKBH5, and FTO expression significantly increased during myoblast differentiation. (3) Conclusions: This study identified seven AlkB family genes in poultry, revealing their phylogenetic classification into two subfamilies, conserved structural domains, chromosomal synteny, and tissue-specific expression patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Local Poultry Breeds)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1672 KB  
Article
Correlation Analysis of Sperm Cryopreservation Quality with Serum Testosterone and Sperm gDNA Methylation Levels in Xiaoshan Chickens
by Xue Du, Duoxi Li, Luya Jia, Xiaopeng Tong, Zhiyuan Huang, Yali Liu, Panlin Wang and Ayong Zhao
Animals 2025, 15(12), 1745; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121745 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 560
Abstract
Chicken semen cryopreservation is crucial for utilizing high-quality cockerel genetics, but semen is highly sensitive to cryoinjury, leading to poor preservation outcomes. This study aimed to establish a theoretical foundation for selecting cockerels for semen cryopreservation through serum testing and to improve semen [...] Read more.
Chicken semen cryopreservation is crucial for utilizing high-quality cockerel genetics, but semen is highly sensitive to cryoinjury, leading to poor preservation outcomes. This study aimed to establish a theoretical foundation for selecting cockerels for semen cryopreservation through serum testing and to improve semen quality via DNA methylation editing. Semen and serum samples were collected from 102 Xiaoshan cockerels, with semen cryopreserved and thawed following standardized protocols. Post-thaw semen quality and serum testosterone (T) levels were assessed. Eight cockerels were selected based on motile sperm quality, and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was used to analyze sperm DNA methylation. The results showed a significant positive correlation between serum T levels and sperm motility. There were notable differences in sperm motility and serum T levels between high-quality and low-quality semen groups but no differences in estradiol (E2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), or glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. A total of 217 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 116 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were identified. Key genes such as PRKACB (protein kinase, cAMP-dependent, catalytic, beta) and ACSL1 (long-chain-fatty-acid--CoA ligase 1) were associated with sperm motility. These findings provide important insights for improving semen cryopreservation and contribute to breeding practices and the development of cryoprotectants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diversity and Conservation of Local Poultry Breeds)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop