Genomic selection strategies in breeding programs: Strong positive interaction between application of genotypic information and intensive use of young bulls on genetic gain

TY - JOUR

T1 - Genomic selection strategies in breeding programs: Strong positive interaction between application of genotypic information and intensive use of young bulls on genetic gain

AU - Buch, Line Hjortø

AU - Sørensen, Morten Kargo

AU - Berg, Peer

AU - Pedersen, Louise Dybdahl

AU - Sørensen, Anders Christian

PY - 2012/4

Y1 - 2012/4

N2 - We tested the following hypotheses: (i) breeding schemes with genomic selection are superior to breeding schemes without genomic selection regarding annual genetic gain of the aggregate genotype (ΔGAG), annual genetic gain of the functional traits and rate of inbreeding per generation (ΔF), (ii) a positive interaction exists between the use of genotypic information and a short generation interval on ΔGAG and (iii) the inclusion of an indicator trait in the selection index will only result in a negligible increase in ΔGAG if genotypic information about the breeding goal trait is known. We examined four breeding schemes with or without genomic selection and with or without intensive use of young bulls using pseudo-genomic stochastic simulations. The breeding goal consisted of a milk production trait and a functional trait. The two breeding schemes with genomic selection resulted in higher ΔGAG, greater contributions of the functional trait to ΔGAG and lower ΔF than the two breeding schemes without genomic selection. Thus, the use of genotypic information may lead to more sustainable breeding schemes. In addition, a short generation interval increases the effect of using genotypic information on ΔGAG. Hence, a breeding scheme with genomic selection and with intensive use of young bulls (a turbo scheme) seems to offer the greatest potential. The third hypothesis was disproved as inclusion of genomically enhanced breeding values (GEBV) for an indicator trait in the selection index increased ΔGAG in the turbo scheme. Moreover, it increased the contribution of the functional trait to ΔGAG, and it decreased ΔF. Thus, indicator traits may still be profitable to use even when GEBV for the breeding goal traits are available.

AB - We tested the following hypotheses: (i) breeding schemes with genomic selection are superior to breeding schemes without genomic selection regarding annual genetic gain of the aggregate genotype (ΔGAG), annual genetic gain of the functional traits and rate of inbreeding per generation (ΔF), (ii) a positive interaction exists between the use of genotypic information and a short generation interval on ΔGAG and (iii) the inclusion of an indicator trait in the selection index will only result in a negligible increase in ΔGAG if genotypic information about the breeding goal trait is known. We examined four breeding schemes with or without genomic selection and with or without intensive use of young bulls using pseudo-genomic stochastic simulations. The breeding goal consisted of a milk production trait and a functional trait. The two breeding schemes with genomic selection resulted in higher ΔGAG, greater contributions of the functional trait to ΔGAG and lower ΔF than the two breeding schemes without genomic selection. Thus, the use of genotypic information may lead to more sustainable breeding schemes. In addition, a short generation interval increases the effect of using genotypic information on ΔGAG. Hence, a breeding scheme with genomic selection and with intensive use of young bulls (a turbo scheme) seems to offer the greatest potential. The third hypothesis was disproved as inclusion of genomically enhanced breeding values (GEBV) for an indicator trait in the selection index increased ΔGAG in the turbo scheme. Moreover, it increased the contribution of the functional trait to ΔGAG, and it decreased ΔF. Thus, indicator traits may still be profitable to use even when GEBV for the breeding goal traits are available.

KW - accuracy

KW - breeding programme

KW - generation interval

KW - genomic selection

U2 - 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2011.00947.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2011.00947.x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22394236

SN - 0931-2668

VL - 129

SP - 138

EP - 151

JO - Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics

JF - Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics

IS - 2

ER -