Genomic Selection in Animal Breeding

Although traditional breeding methods are effective in the selection of animal populations with many important economic traits, the accuracy of breeding values has always been a problem with these methods. With the rapid development of molecular genetics, modern biotechnologies, and bioinformatics and their penetration and application in animal breeding, genome selection technology has become a research hotspot and frontier in the field of animal breeding to make greater genetic progress. Genome selection has become the future of livestock breeding companies by reducing genetic spacing and improving reliability to increase genetic gain. BioVenic's advanced technology platform and rich animal-related R&D experience enable us to provide global customers with genomic selection services to better meet research needs.

Different Selection Strategies in Animal Breeding

• Phenotypic Selection in Animal Breeding

Traditionally, animals were selected for reproduction based on phenotypic records. Phenotypic selection is the simple way of improving animal traits. However, it is difficult to measure and profile the actual improvement of traits, such as those that are late expressed, sex restricted, or low heritability. In addition, this breeding process is relatively slow, because it takes a long time to collect enough sub-representative types for high-precision genetic evaluation, and the accuracy is also limited by environmental impact.

• Marker-assisted Selection in Animal Breeding

Using genomic information to improve reliability is called marker-assisted selection (MAS). MAS depends on identifying the association between genetic markers and linked quantitative trait loci (QTLs), as well as the association between markers. Compared with phenotypic selection, MAS is beneficial to sex restricted traits, traits with poor reproductive value prediction and late expression traits. Although MAS technology has improved reliability, it is not timely in animal breeding plans, because its limited markers can only capture simple and limited traits.

• Genomic Selection in Animal Breeding

Genomic selection (GS) can be seen as an extension of marker-assisted selection (MAS), both of which use marker information for assisted selection, but MAS only uses a small number of markers, while genomic selection uses markers covering the entire genome, so it can capture all genetic information. Without any knowledge of the marker genes, genomic selection can be performed by estimating all marker effects, indirectly estimating the effects of all genes, and summing all marker effect estimates instead of estimated breeding values. Therefore, the advantages of genome selection include but are not limited to,

• More accurate.
• Shorter generation intervals.
• Capture all genetic information to facilitate the selection of complex traits.

Our Services

BioVenic combines its professional knowledge and rich experience in animal breeding, genetics, and modern biotechnologies to provide customized genome selection data analysis services for global customers. Based on Genomic Estimated Breeding Value (GEVB) prediction, you can take the lead in the prediction and selection of complex traits and accelerate your breeding plan. Our experts are committed to helping our customers solve all bottlenecks in animal genetics and breeding research. We look forward to working with all our partners to promote animal breeding and genetics research.

• Our Genome Selection Services for Different Species
• Genomic Selection in Swine
• Genomic Selection in Beef Cattle
• Genomic Selection in Dairy Cattle
• Genomic Selection in Sheep
• Genomic Selection in Goat
• Genomic Selection in Chicken
• Genomic Selection in Duck
• Genomic Selection in Aquaculture
• Genomic Selection in Insects

• Derived Models for Genomic Selection
• Multi-Omics Selection in Animal Breeding
• Microbiome Selection in Animal Breeding

Want to Learn More?

With years of experience in animal breeding and genetics, BioVenic is committed to providing high-quality animal breeding and genetic research services. We are confident that we can design effective solutions to support the effective operation of your genomic selection projects. If you are interested in our services, please contact us and tell us more about your project.

References

1. Fahar I., et al. Genomic selection and its application in animal breeding. Thai J Vet Med. 2017, 47(3): 301-310.
2. Goddard, M. E., Hayes, B. J. Genomic selection. J Anim Breed Genet. 2007, 124(6): 323-330.