Reproductive Technologies and Genomic Selection in Cattle

Patrice Humblot,Alain Malafosse,Claire Ponsart,Catherine Guyader Joly,Yvan Heyman,Daniel Le Bourhis,Michel Tissier,Jean Jacques Colleau,Sebastien Fritz,Yves Amigues,Cyril Gonzalez

doi:10.4061/2010/192787

Abstract

The recent development of genomic selection induces dramatic changes in the way genetic selection schemes are to be conducted. This review describes the new context and corresponding needs for genomic based selection schemes and how reproductive technologies can be used to meet those needs. Information brought by reproductive physiology will provide new markers and new improved phenotypes that will increase the efficiency of selection schemes for reproductive traits. In this context, the value of the reproductive techniques including assisted embryo based reproductive technologies (Multiple Ovaluation Embryo Transfer and Ovum pick up associated to in vitro Fertilization) is also revisited. The interest of embryo typing is discussed. The recent results obtained with this emerging technology which are compatible with the use of the last generation of chips for genotype analysis may lead to very promising applications for the breeding industry. The combined use of several embryo based reproductive technologies will probably be more important in the near future to satisfy the needs of genomic selection for increasing the number of candidates and to preserve at the same time genetic variability.

Highlights

During recent decades, advancement in our knowledge of reproductive physiology and improvements in embryo-based reproductive biotechnologies have facilitated the development of a rather complete “tool box” including reproductive techniques used either for commercial purposes and/or in the frame work of breeding schemes
Information brought by reproductive physiology will provide new markers and new improved phenotypes that will increase the efficiency of selection schemes for reproductive traits
In the new context of genomic selection, there is still a lot of work for the reproductive physiologist to study gene expression and identify markers and networks of genes associated with fertility

Summary

Introduction

Advancement in our knowledge of reproductive physiology and improvements in embryo-based reproductive biotechnologies have facilitated the development of a rather complete “tool box” including reproductive techniques used either for commercial purposes and/or in the frame work of breeding schemes. These techniques currently have varying degrees of efficiency [1] and for most of them continuous improvements may be expected in the future. Due to the present and expected evolution in the organisation of selection strategies and associated requirements, the value of the various reproductive techniques used today for commercial purposes and in genetic schemes should be revisited

The New Context and Corresponding Needs for Genomic-Based Selection Schemes

Findings

Conclusion