Abstract

Genotype × environment interaction (G × E) is of increasing importance for dairy cattle breeders due to international multiple-environment selection of animals as well as the differentiation of production environments within countries. This theoretical simulation study tested the hypothesis that genomic selection (GS) breeding programs realize larger genetic benefits by cooperation in the presence of G × E than conventional pedigree-based selection (PS) breeding programs. We simulated two breeding programs each with their own cattle population and environment. Two populations had either equal or unequal population sizes. Selection of sires was done either across environments (cooperative) or within their own environment (independent). Four scenarios, (GS/PS) × (cooperative/independent), were performed. The genetic correlation (rg) between the single breeding goal trait expressed in two environments was varied between 0.5 and 0.9. We compared scenarios for genetic gain, rate of inbreeding, proportion of selected external sires, and the split-point rg that is the lowest value of rg for long-term cooperation. Between two equal-sized populations, cooperative GS breeding programs achieved a maximum increase of 19.3% in genetic gain and a maximum reduction of 24.4% in rate of inbreeding compared to independent GS breeding programs. The increase in genetic gain and the reduction in rate of inbreeding realized by GS breeding programs with cooperation were respectively at maximum 9.7% and 24.7% higher than those realized by PS breeding programs with cooperation. Secondly, cooperative GS breeding programs allowed a slightly lower split-point rg than cooperative PS breeding programs (0.85∼0.875 vs ≥ 0.9). Between two unequal-sized populations, cooperative GS breeding programs realized higher increase in genetic gain and showed greater probability for long-term cooperation than cooperative PS breeding programs. Secondly, cooperation using GS were more beneficial to the small population while also beneficial but much less to the large population. In summary, by cooperation in the presence of G × E, GS breeding programs realize larger improvements in terms of the genetic gain and rate of inbreeding, and have greater possibility of long-term cooperation than conventional PS breeding programs. Therefore, we recommend cooperative GS breeding programs in situations with mild to moderate G × E, depending on the sizes of two populations.

Highlights

  • Genotype × environment interaction (G × E) is present in situations where a specific environmental variation has different effects on different genotypes (Falconer and Mackay, 1996b)

  • From the perspective of breeding programs to achieve more efficient animal production, it is essential to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to improving genetic gain and simultaneously decreasing inbreeding when G × E exists between different environments

  • Our findings supported our hypothesis that genomic selection (GS) breeding programs benefit more from cooperation regarding genetic gain and rate of inbreeding and have greater possibility of long-term cooperation in the presence of G × E than conventional pedigree-based selection (PS) breeding programs

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Summary

Introduction

Genotype × environment interaction (G × E) is present in situations where a specific environmental variation has different effects on different genotypes (Falconer and Mackay, 1996b). Reranking is often measured by the genetic correlation (rg) between a trait expressed in two different environments (Falconer, 1952). When G × E exists, it makes good sense to utilize the best combinations of genotypes and environments for more efficient animal production because G × E implies that genotypes differ in genetic potential of adapting to variable environments (Falconer and Mackay, 1996c; Montaldo, 2001). From the perspective of breeding programs to achieve more efficient animal production, it is essential to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to improving genetic gain and simultaneously decreasing inbreeding when G × E exists between different environments

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