The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of DNA transformation from the White Leghorn (male) to embryos of an improved strain for egg production (PP) that originated from native breed Fayoumi. A total number of 1200 eggs from pullets of Fayoumi strain (PP) were subjected to treatments. Eggs were divided into two groups each of 600 eggs. Eggs of the first group were treated just before they were set in the incubator, while those of the second group was treated (i.e.at the 72nd hours) of the incubation period. Eggs of each group was subdivided into 6 subgroups each of 100 eggs. Eggs of the first three subgroups were injected with three doses of DNA (10, 25 and 40µ DNA in 20ml distilled water). While those of the second three subgroups were considered controls (drilled eggs, eggs injected with distilled water (20µl) and untreated eggs). Chicks hatched from eggs that treated with 25µg foreign DNA showed the highest average of body weight, body weight gain, rate of growth, improved feed conversion, earliest age at sexual maturity and increased percentage of egg production, egg weight, egg mass, absolute and relative egg albumen weight when compared with those injected by 10 and 40µg and those of control groups. Chicks hatched from eggs injected with foreign DNA at the 72nd hrs of incubation period had significant higher body weight, body weight gain, rat of growth and improved feed conversion. So, the DNA transformation could be used as untraditional method to increase genetic variation and producing genetic change more rapidly in poultry. |
