Genetic evaluation of meat quality traits and their correlation with growth and carcase composition in Japanese quail

1. Estimates of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of performance and meat quality traits were obtained in a population of Japanese quail using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures. 2. The heritability estimates for body weight (BW) traits ranged from 0·15 at hatch to 0·42 at six weeks. For carcase composition traits, heritability estimates ranged from 0·12 for carcase yield to 0·26 for abdominal fat yield and for meat quality traits they ranged from 0·18 for drip loss to 0·54 for yellowness of the meat. 3. Negative genetic correlations were found between BW and carcase traits with ultimate pH and drip loss ranging from −0·01 (BW at hatch) to −0·40 (skin yield). Redness and yellowness showed negative genetic correlations with BW and carcase traits, whereas the genetic correlations with lightness were positive (from 0·04 to 0·43). 4. Shear force and cooking loss showed positive genetic correlations with carcase, breast, abdominal and skin yield. 5. In conclusion, meat quality trai...