Classical Improvement and Molecular Genetics in Swine Production: From Marker to Market

Abstract

Increased performance of domesticated animals has traditionally been accomplished through the selection of animals with desirable economically important traits. Recently, with the advancement of gene mapping efforts in domestic animals, efforts to utilize emerging molecular technologies to increase the rate of genetic improvement over traditional selection practices have been realized. The developments of informative genetic markers, which define chromosomal regions containing economically important traits, have flourished. Furthermore, the increased vertical integration of production systems and the increasing utilization of artificial insemination provide unique opportunities to implement marker-based management systems (Marker Management SystemsTM, MMS) . These advances will most likely result in the generation of proprietary germplasms (branded products) generated for specific production and consumer needs through MMS.