책임운영기관 농촌진흥청 국립축산과학원 (로고)

Korean native ducks (KNDs) continue to have a high preference from consumers due to their excellent meat quality and taste characteristics. However, due to low productivity and fixed plumage color phenotype, it could not secure a large share in the domestic market compared to imported species. In order to improve the market share of KNDs, the genetic characteristics of the breed should be identified and used for improvement and selection. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the genetic information of colored and white KNDs using next-generation resequencing data and screening for differences between the two groups. As a result of the analysis, the genetic variants that showed significant differences between the colored and white KND groups were mainly identified as mutations related to tyrosine activity. The variants were located in the genes that affect melanin synthesis and regulation, such as EGFR, PDGFRA, and DDR2, and these were reported as the candidate genes related to plumage pigmentation in poultry. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be useful as a basis for understanding and utilizing the genetic characteristics of KNDs for genetic improvement and selection of white broiler KNDs.