GENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SERUM ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, GROWTH AND CARCASS TRAITS IN MALE AND FEMALE BROILER LINES IN SHIKA, NIGERIA

This study was conducted to genetically evaluate the relationship between serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) and carcass traits of male and female broiler lines at National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI),Shika, Nigeria. Data on body weight and linear body measurements, carcass traits, proximate analysis of meat samples and blood parameters were obtained from 350 progenies consisting of 100 birds each for sire and dam line and 75 birds each for sire control and dam control respectively. The carcass measurements made were breast muscle weight (Brwt), carcass weight (Carwt), thigh weight (Thwt) in gram using measuring scale and body length (Bl) using flexible tape in centimeter (cm). The blood traits measured were serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), Total Protein (TP) and Acetylcholine esterase (Ach). There were significant (P<0.05) differences in body weight, linear body measurements and carcass traits of the birds which could be attributed to line effect. Serum alkaline phosphatase showed high and positive genetic correlations with body weight at 8 week (0.499) and carcass traits ranging from 0.447 – 0.925 for the dam lines and body weight at 8 week (0.412) and breast weight (0.698) for the sire lines. It was therefore concluded that line is an important source of variation in serum alkaline phosphatase, growth and carcass traits. Serum alkaline phosphatase should be used as a marker for improved growth traits and carcass traits in the development of NAPRI broilers.