Genetic Selection of Mule Duck: The Challenge of Interspecific Crossing

Partenaire(s) : Grimaud Frères
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The Mule duck is a hybrid resulting from the crossing of two different duck species: the Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) and the domestic duck or Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos). This interspecific crossing presents both challenges and opportunities for the breeder, due to the genetic complexity involved. In this article, we explore the difficulties of genetic selection of the Mule duck, as well as the methods used to address them.

Origin and characteristics of the Mule duck

 In France, the Mule duck is bred primarily for foie gras production. It combines the desirable characteristics of both parent species: the rusticity and aptitude for hepatic steatosis of the Muscovy duck, and the adaptability and prolificacy of the domestic duck. However, this hybridisation also results in genetic particularities that complicate selection.

Genetic Selection Challenges

1. Heterosis and Genetic Variability, an environmental effect

Heterosis, is a phenomen on where hybrids perform better than their parents. Although this can be beneficial, genetic variability within Mule populations can make it difficult to predict the results of selection. In addition, the results obtained at the end of fattening depend very much on environmental effects (rearing and fattening conditions, jabotage, feed quantity and quality, technical skills of the breeder and fattener, etc.), making it difficult to distinguish the genetic contribution to final performance.

2. Hybrid sterility

One of the major complications of interspecific crossing is hybrid sterility, which means that they cannot be reproduced in the traditional way. As a result, selection programmes cannot be applied directly to the Mule cross, but must be carried out on the Muscovy and Pekin parents. This means that the genetic selector must have lines in both species that have been specifically worked on for Mule production, which entails additional costs.

3. Hybrid production

Crossing Muscovy males and Pekin females is not easy and most of the time requires artificial insemination. This is another challenge for the genetic selector, who has to take into account the ability of the males to collect semen and the ability of the females to be inseminated.

Selection methods

1. Offspring selection

In order to estimate the genetic value of each subject under selection, pedigree crosses are made between Muscovy and Pekin lines. The Mule produced are called as pedigrees because for each of them the parentales as well as all the ancestry are known. These pedigree Mule are reared and then fattened, and meticulous work is carried out at the slaughterhouse to collect individual data on the weight and quality of the foie gras obtained. This data can then be re-attributed to the Mule’ parents.

2. Improvement of parental lines

Numerous selection measurements are also carried out directly on individuals from the Muscovy and Pekin parent lines: estimation of meat yield using a scanner, calculation of individual consumption and feeding behaviour, and measurement of growth. In addition to this data, which is used to improve Mule’s product, we also take measurements specific to the reproduction stage, such as the number of eggs laid, and the suitability for sperm donation to facilitate artificial insemination.

These direct measurements on the candidates for selection are enriched by measurements obtained on their Mule offspring (foie gras weight, liver quality, etc.), enabling a synthetic index to be calculated for each subject and the best to be selected.

3. The challenge of ovosexability

One of the particularities of the French foie gras industry is that it favours rearing Mule males, as females are much more difficult to rear and produce poorer liver quality. To avoid destroying the females when they hatch, specific lines have been selected. Crosses between these lines (H85E and H82E, E for ethics) enable sex to be detected at the embryonic stage, so it is possible to choose the percentage of females to hatch. Another challenge taken up by selection!

Future prospects

 Mule duck genetic selection is a promising but complex field. With advances in genetic technologies and selection methods, it is possible to optimise the production of this hybrid duck. Future research could focus on understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying hybridisation, in order to better control and predict the results of selection.

 In conclusion, genetic selection of the Mule duck is a challenge due to its interspecific nature. However, with appropriate methods and an in-depth understanding of genetic dynamics, it is possible to overcome these obstacles and add value to this duck with its exceptional qualities.

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Directrice R&D

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