Abstract
The maintenance of genetic diversity in a local cattle breed through optimal contribution selection
Highlights
The practice of maximizing the genetic gain without accounting for the increase in inbreeding rate (ΔF) was recognized in middle 1990s as a threat to livestock breeding
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of optimum contribution selection (OCS) in a small native cattle breed
In most of the other breeds, a great attention is paid to avoid mating among relatives, but without realizing an optimum selection policy, and theoretically falling under the so called “frontier line”. This line represents the OCS realizing when different penalties for the increase in average relationship of candidates, and of the predicted ΔF, are considered. Moving from these considerations, the present study aimed to evaluate the application of OCS in Rendena local cattle breed, considering some years of transition from traditional selection method to OCS
Summary
The practice of maximizing the genetic gain without accounting for the increase in inbreeding rate (ΔF) was recognized in middle 1990s as a threat to livestock breeding. Management of the ΔF and the chances for its reduction have been widely investigated. Optimum contribution selection (OCS) has been identified as the best choice to maximize the genetic gain while restricting the ΔF (Meuwissen, 1997; Kohl et al, 2020). Various OCS selection methods have been developed, introducing, e.g., a penalty for inbreeding, or maintaining a pre-defined ΔF, or allowing a simultaneous management of the genetic gain, ΔF and introgressed genetic material (e.g., Wray and Goddard, 1994; Meuwissen, 1997; Wellmann et al, 2012)
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