Animal Mating Research Articles

Diet acts on sexual behavior development in a male moth.

In many animals, drastic changes are observed during sexual maturation characterized by the reproductive system development concomitantly to the sexual behavior ontogenesis. These modifications are under the control of internal and external factors such as food. Sexual maturation requires considerable energetic investment, and diet has been shown to affect reproductive activities in many taxonomic groups, especially in insects and vertebrates. By contrast, diet effects on sexual behavior development remain largely unexplored. To elucidate this aspect, we used the male moth Agrotis ipsilon which undergoes sexual maturation occurring between the third and the fifth day postemergence. During this period, males are sensitive to female sex pheromones and a stereotypical sexual behavior characterized by female-oriented flight takes place. In our study, we compared (1) sex pheromone detection by electroantennography recordings and (2) behavioral response in wind tunnel assays between males fed with different diets found in nature. Compared to standard sucrose diet, males fed with sucrose, fructose, and glucose supplemented with sodium (a mineral element necessary for the locomotor activity in several moths) did not respond better to female sex pheromones but clearly exhibited an earlier behavioral response. Thus, such a diet accelerates the development of sex pheromone-mediated oriented flight, probably by facilitating the central processing of sex pheromone information in male A. ipsilon moths. Our results provide new information on the influence of nutritional intake on the ontogenesis of male sexual behavior in animals.

Neonatal undernutrition induced by litter size expansion alters testicular parameters in adult Wistar rats.

Several models of maternal undernutrition reveal impairment of testicular development and compromise spermatogenesis in male offspring. The expansion of the litter size model, valuable for studying the impact of undernutrition on early development, has not yet been used to evaluate the consequences of early undernutrition in the adult male reproductive system. For this purpose, pups were raised in either normal litter (ten pups/dam) or large litter (LL; sixteen pups/dam). On postnatal day 90, sexual behaviour was evaluated or blood, adipose and reproductive tissues were collected for biochemical, histological and morphological analysis. Adult LL animals were lighter and thinner than controls. They showed increased food intake, but decrease of retroperitoneal white adipose tissue weight, glycaemia after oral glucose overload and plasma concentration of cholesterol. Reproductive organ weights were not altered by undernutrition, but histopathological analysis revealed an increased number of abnormal seminiferous tubules and number of immature spermatids in the tubular lumen of LL animals. These animals also showed reduction in total spermatic reserve and daily sperm production in the testes. Undernutrition decreased the number of Sertoli cells, and testosterone production was increased in the LL group. Mitochondrial activity of spermatozoa remained unchanged between experimental groups, suggesting no significant impact on the energy-related processes associated with sperm function. All animals from both experimental groups were considered sexually competent, with no significant difference in the parameters of sexual behaviour. We conclude that neonatal undernutrition induces histological and physiological testicular changes, without altering sperm quality and sexual behaviour of animals.

The Sexual Dimorphism in Rectum and Protein Digestion Pathway Influence Sex Pheromone Synthesis in Male Bactrocera Dorsalis.

Sexual dimorphism is a crucial aspect of mating and reproduction in many animals, yet the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In Bactrocera dorsalis, sex pheromones trimethylpyrazine (TMP) and tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) are specifically synthesized by Bacillus strains in the male rectum. In the female rectum, Bacillus strains are found, but TMP and TTMP are not, indicating sexually dimorphic differences in sex pheromone synthesis. Our anatomical observations and precursor measurements revealed significant differences in rectal structure and ammonium levels between sexes. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that ammonium is vital for sex pheromone synthesis in rectal Bacillus strains. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified ammonium-producing genes (carboxypeptidase B and peptide transporter) in the protein digestion pathway that show much higher expression in the male rectum than in the female rectum. Knocking down the expression of either carboxypeptidase B (or inhibiting enzyme activity) or peptide transporter decreases rectal ammonium levels significantly, resulting in the failure of sex pheromone synthesis in the male rectum. This study provides insights into the presence of sexual dimorphism in internal organs and their functionalities in male-specific sex pheromone synthesis and has significant implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying sex pheromone synthesis by symbionts in insects.

Moderate embryonic delay of paternal mitochondrial elimination impairs mating and cognition and alters behaviors of adult animals.

Rapid elimination of paternal mitochondria following fertilization is a conserved event in most animals, but its physiological significance remains unclear. We find that modest delay of paternal mitochondrial elimination (PME) in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos unexpectedly impairs mating and cognition of adult animals and alters their locomotion behaviors. Delayed PME causes decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in early embryos, which lead to impaired physiological functions of adult animals through an energy-sensing pathway mediated by an adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, AAK-2, and a forkhead box class O (FOXO) transcription factor, DAF-16. Treatment of PME-delayed animals with MK-4, a subtype of vitamin K2 that can improve mitochondrial ATP production, restores ATP levels in early embryos, and rescues physiological defects of adult animals. Our results suggest that moderate PME delay during embryo development adversely affects crucial physiological functions in adults, which could be evolutionarily disadvantageous. These observations provide mechanistic explanations for the need to swiftly remove paternal mitochondria early during embryo development.

Pedigree-Based Description of Danubia Alba Rabbit Breed Lines.

The diversity of livestock animal breeds is an integral part of global biodiversity and requires careful management for sustainability and future availability. Avoiding inbreeding is a crucial aspect of mating of breeding animals. Our aims were to describe the quality of the pedigree, generation interval, gene origin, inbreeding, and effective population size of Danubia Alba rabbit lines. Line "D" is the maternal, whereas lines "C" and "X" are used as the paternal lines. The pedigree information was followed back from the actual breeding rabbits up to the founder animals. The rabbits having offspring in 2023 were chosen as reference populations for each line. The complete generation equivalent (GenCom) was 17.68 for line "C", 18.32 for line "D", and 17.49 for line "X", respectively. The maximum number of generations (GenMax) was above 30 for each line. The estimated bottleneck effect is mostly the result of selection and not a real genetic loss. The Wright inbreeding coefficient (F_Wright) was the highest for the "X" line rabbits, whereas it was the lowest for the line "D". Kalinowski's decomposition of inbreeding showed that it originated mostly from the past; the current fixation of alleles was quite similar for the line "C" and "D". Based on the predicted effective population sizes, it seems that there is no problem in maintaining of Danubia Alba lines.

Correlation Analysis among the Various Inbreeding Coefficients of Pannon Ka Rabbits

In a closed population with a limited population size, mating of related animals is unavoidable. In this study, the genealogy data of a synthetic maternal rabbit breed called Pannon Ka were used to calculate different inbreeding coefficients. The evaluated animals were born between 1995 and 2020, and the pedigree consisted of 5819 animals that originated from 4205 rabbit does and from 1314 rabbit bucks. The pedigree was further extended with 16,013 dummy progeny records in order to calculate litter inbreeding coefficients. Besides the conventional Wright inbreeding coefficients, the so-called ancestral and new inbreeding coefficients were also calculated using the gene dropping method. By the end of the evaluated period, the litter inbreeding increased to almost 11 and 60% for Wright and Ballou inbreeding, while the Kalinowski and the Kalinowski new inbreeding coefficients were 9.25 and 16.67%, respectively. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the does and for the litters. Finally, the effects of pedigree length and completeness were also taken into account using the complete generation equivalents in a partial correlation analysis. Based on the results, it could be seen that the different ancestral inbreeding coefficients had high correlation. Similarly, the conventional Wright inbreeding coefficients showed strong correlation with the new inbreeding coefficients. On the contrary, the correlation between ancestral and new inbreeding coefficients was low. Taking the complete generation equivalent into account did not give unambiguous results. It could be concluded that the different inbreeding coefficients are based on different concepts, and they are clearly different population parameters.

Same-sex sexual behavior in brown-headed spider monkeys (Atelesfuscicepsfusciceps) during grappling between two subadult males.

Sexual behavior in animals fulfills reproductive and social functions, extending beyond the traditional focus on reproduction. Same-sex sexual behavior, defined as genital contact or manipulation between individuals of the same sex, occurs in various primate species. In spider monkeys, grappling, a behavior involving prolonged mutual embraces, face greeting, tail intertwining, and genital manipulation, occurs primarily between males. Here, we report a novel incidence of same-sex sexual behavior and grappling between two subadult male brown-headed spider monkeys (Atelesfuscicepsfusciceps). Our observation contributes to the understanding of the social functions of sexual behavior and to the broader appreciation of primate sexuality.

Regularities of Growth and Development of Buffaloes

Based on the research, an analysis of the biological characteristics of the growth and development of buffaloes in certain periods and stages was carried out. The growth rate of animals of all ages depends on feeding conditions, time of year and other environmental factors. The stage of onset of sexual activity in animals differs sharply from all periods of growth and development. It has been revealed that timely mating of animals, on the contrary, naturally lengthens the maturation period and makes it possible to breed larger animals and obtain greater productivity in the future. For normal processes of growth and development in the body of animals, it is necessary to improve the external environmental conditions and, above all, the conditions of feeding, housing and care. It is necessary to build a breeding business in an exemplary manner and thus increase the weight and milk and meat productivity of livestock.

Endorphins, Sexuality, and Reproduction.

Beta-endorphin is secreted from the hypothalamus and pituitary in both mother and newborn. The placenta produces numerous pituitary hormones from the third month of pregnancy, one of which is βE. It has been suggested that βE has a role in the appetitive and precopulatory phase of sexual behavior in animals. An increase in endorphin levels during sexual activity in humans may contribute to attachment and bonding between partners, but contradictory reports in the literature question the association between sexuality and βE levels. The level of βE also increases during pregnancy, rises in early labor, peaks in late labor, and drops in the postpartum period. This fluctuation provides natural analgesia, raises the pain threshold, decreases the sensation of pain, or suppresses pain, and decreases fear levels during labor and birth. Beta-endorphin also protects the fetus from hypoxia during labor and birth and potential neural damage by aiding blood flow to the brain under hypoxic conditions. It has been suggested that a variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic complementary therapies, when used in pregnancy, labor, and birth, activate the opioid receptors in the CNS and alter the sensation of pain during labor and birth, affect the mother-child attachment and affect sexual function. These studies report contradictory results that will be discussed in this chapter.

Carcass yield of Oreochromis niloticus deformed by inbreeding process evaluated by morphometry

Genetic improvement is the main responsible for the increase in tilapia production in the last decades. However, the toolsused in broodstock selection have increased the mating of related animals, and as a consequence, animals with morphometricanomalies have appeared. In view of the above, this work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of bodydeformities on the meat yield of tilapia. A total of 106 animals from assisted reproduction of the UFLA tilapia breedingprogram were used, among which 53 had visible deformities. The animals were weighed, measured, and photographed witha digital camera and had their body areas measured using computer software. Afterward, the animals were slaughtered andthe fillet from the left side was removed to measure weights and yields. On the right side, cuts were made to measure themeat volume in the carcass. The residues were weighed separately to analyze processing losses. Using the software R-studiothe normality test was applied to all data and afterwards, the tests of means and correlations between morphometries andyields were performed. No morphometric differences were identified between the groups, but deformed animals showedsmaller caudal areas and caudal peduncles and high correlations with fillet weight. However, normal fish showed higherfillet yield and lower residue production. It is concluded that the anomalies imply lower filet yield and a higher amount ofprocessing residues.

Variability in the PRDM9 gene in Sindhi cattle.

Sindhi is a dual-purpose breed adapted to tropical environments. However, this breed has the smallest total population among indicine breeds in Brazil and the smallest effective number. In addition, the inbreeding coefficient is higher than 6.25% in ~ 60% of the population. Therefore, alternatives to increase genetic diversity are important. Within this context, the PRDM9 gene is particularly interesting since it is involved in meiotic recombination events, consequently enhancing genetic variability in the population by increasing the number of circulating haplotypes. Each allele of the gene induces recombination at a different hotspot. The larger the number of circulating alleles, the higher the recombination rate and the greater the genetic variability. The aim of this study was to characterize alleles of the PRDM9 gene in Sindhi cattle. The region of the zinc finger domains of the gene was amplified by PCR, genotyped, and sequenced for allele identification in 50 Sindhi animals. Three alleles (A-cattle1, B-cattle14, and C-cattle19) and six genotypes (AA, BB, CC, AB, AC, and BC) were identified. The allele variation of the PRDM9 gene in the Sindhi breed enables to guide the mating of animals with different genotypes/alleles and to promote genetic variability by recombination if there is intralocus variability.

Reintroducing genetic diversity in populations from cryopreserved material: the case of Abondance, a French local dairy cattle breed

BackgroundGenetic diversity is a necessary condition for populations to evolve under natural adaptation, artificial selection, or both. However, genetic diversity is often threatened, in particular in domestic animal populations where artificial selection, genetic drift and inbreeding are strong. In this context, cryopreserved genetic resources are a promising option to reintroduce lost variants and to limit inbreeding. However, while the use of ancient genetic resources is more common in plant breeding, it is less documented in animals due to a longer generation interval, making it difficult to fill the gap in performance due to continuous selection. This study investigates one of the only concrete cases available in animals, for which cryopreserved semen from a bull born in 1977 in a lost lineage was introduced into the breeding scheme of a French local dairy cattle breed, the Abondance breed, more than 20 years later.ResultsWe found that this re-introduced bull was genetically distinct with respect to the current population and thus allowed part of the genetic diversity lost over time to be restored. The expected negative gap in milk production due to continuous selection was absorbed in a few years by preferential mating with elite cows. Moreover, the re-use of this bull more than two decades later did not increase the level of inbreeding, and even tended to reduce it by avoiding mating with relatives. Finally, the reintroduction of a bull from a lost lineage in the breeding scheme allowed for improved performance for reproductive abilities, a trait that was less subject to selection in the past.ConclusionsThe use of cryopreserved material is an efficient way to manage the genetic diversity of an animal population, by mitigating the effects of both inbreeding and strong selection. However, attention should be paid to mating of animals to limit the disadvantages associated with incorporating original genetic material, notably a discrepancy in the breeding values for selected traits or an increase in inbreeding. Therefore, careful characterization of the genetic resources available in cryobanks could help to ensure the sustainable management of populations, in particular local or small populations. These results could also be transferred to the conservation of wild threatened populations.

Comparative Evaluation of Surgical Methods of Uterine Prolapse Treatment in Cats and Dogs

Introduction. Currently, keeping the small pets, in particular cats and dogs, is becoming more and more popular every year. Unfortunately, not all the breeders are familiar with the rules of care, feeding, keeping, breeding and first aid provision during the parturitions. Thus there occur cases of the pathological patrimonial activity, which can subsequently lead to uterine prolapse in animals. Another important reason causing pathology is keeping animals in the self-walking. This leads to uncontrolled mating of animals of various breeds and weight categories and most often causes macrocarpous pregnancies in females.The aim of the study is to make the comparative evaluation of the surgical methods of uterine prolapse treatment in cats and dogs, whereas the pathology itself is much less common than other reproductive diseases and has not been sufficiently studied.Materials and methods. The study was carried out from 2021 to 2022 at the Chair of Non-Contagious Diseases of Agricultural Animals of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Northern Trans-Ural State Agricultural University” and at the premises of the veterinary clinic “Polar Bear” of the town of Yalutorovsk. The objects of the study were cats and dogs of different breeds and ages admitted to the clinic. During the study, the clinical, biochemical methods and the anamnesis data were used.Results. Within the period from 2021 to 2022 the number of pet owners attending the clinic was 6179. Of these, 2505 (40.5 %) were admitted with dogs, 3593 (58.1 %) with cats and 81 (1.3 %) with other animals. Among cats and dogs 4345 females were registered, their share equaled to 71.3 %, of which 2816 (46.2 %) were cats and 1529 (25.1 %) were dogs. The share of reproductive diseases in cats accounted for 683 cases out of 2816 (24.3 %), in dogs – 389 cases out of 1529 (25.4 %). It was found that uterine prolapse in cats accounts for 1.8 %, and in dogs for 3.3%. It was also revealed that the pathology occurs in cats aged 3 to 6 years old (50.0 %), in dogs under the age of 12 months old (46.2 %), due to the onset of the first estrus, and in animals older than 7 years old (53.9 %) due to multiple parturitions. In terms of breed susceptibility among cats the pathology was most often found in outbred specimens (50.0 %).Discussion and conclusions. The efficiency of treatment during the reposition of prolapsed uterus in the first group of animals was 30 %; this leads to the conclusion that the risk of relapse is very high and that the ovariohysterectomy is recommended for this pathology.

A neuroscience-based approach to the assessment of sexual behavior in animals.

Sexual behavior in animals is important in ensuring the continuity of the generation. These behaviors differ in animal species. Sexual behaviors are shaped under the control of the reproductive system. Physiological stimuli produced by the reproductive system find their counterparts in the organism as reproductive activity. Reproductive activity display a critical role by transferring on the genetic heritage of organisms to the next generations. This activity, which is built on delicate balances, is associated with many systems in the organism. Nervous system, hormonal system, and circulatory system are the main ones. The regular formation of the reproductive activity in species is due to the effect of various factors. In domestic mammals, the reproductive activity is regulated by hormones secreted from brain and endocrine glands. Many hormones have duties in terms of the sustainability of reproductive activity. GnRH is the main hormone responsible for initiating this reproductive activity. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is a small molecule peptide from certain nerve cells in the nucleus infundibularis region of the hypothalamus and consists of different amino acids, is secreted under the influence of smell, temperature, light, and physical stimulation. Besides, GnRH release is controlled by various neurotransmitters (adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin). On the other hand, various genetic factors in secretory glands, gonadal cells, reproductive tissues can lead to significant changes on reproductive activity through specific molecular pathways and mechanisms.

Dynamics of some blood biochemical parameters in Boujaâd ewes from early to late gestation and the possibility of early pregnancy diagnosis

Abstract. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical parameters of Boujaâd sheep under Moroccan semi-arid conditions during pregnancy and postpartum stages in pregnant (P) ewes compared to non-pregnant ewes (NP). Blood samples were collected from 24 healthy Boujaâd ewes (59 ± 4.2 kg) enrolled in the current study. From (1 to 30 days), these samples were collected daily; from day 30 onwards, they were gathered at three-day intervals. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein to be analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, total protein, creatinine, urea, and triglycerides. In the present study, no significant difference was observed before synchronization in all parameter studies between pregnant ewes (P) and non-pregnant ewes (NP) (P>0.05). The results showed the lowest glucose level in pregnant ewes during all pregnancy stages, while total proteins, urea, and triglycerides showed the opposite trend. During early pregnancy (18-30 days), the cholesterol levels were lower in P compared with NP ewes, whereas no difference was found from 30 days to parturition. Creatinine was higher in pregnant ewes during early pregnancy (18-30 days). In comparison, there was no statistically significant (P>0.05) variation in creatinine levels between the P and NP ewes after 30 days of gestation. To conclude, marked changes accompanied specific biochemical parameters. The biochemical parameter indicating a clear difference is triglycerides, which may indicate an early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep considering the exact day of mating or artificial insemination in animals.

Sexual selection in females and the evolution of polyandry.

Over the last decades, the field of sexual selection underwent a paradigm shift from sexual-stereotype thinking of "eager" males and "coy" females towards a more nuanced perspective acknowledging that not only males but also females can benefit from multiple mating and compete for mating partners. Yet, sexual selection in females is still considered a peculiarity, and the evolution of polyandry is often viewed to result from a higher mating interest of males. Here, we present meta-analytic evidence from 77 species across a broad range of animal taxa to demonstrate that female reproductive success is overall positively correlated with mating success, suggesting that females typically benefit from multiple mating. Importantly, we found that these fitness gains likely promote the evolution of polyandry. Our findings offer support for the idea that sexual selection is widespread in females and to play a key role for the evolution of animal mating systems. Thereby, our results extend our understanding of the evolutionary consequences of sexual reproduction and contribute to a more balanced view of how sexual selection operates in males and females.

The sexual selection of creativity: A nomological approach.

Cultural innovations, such as tools and other technical articles useful for survival, imply that creativity is an outcome of evolution. However, the existence of purely ornamental items obfuscates the functional value of creativity. What is the functional or adaptive value of aesthetic and intellectual ornaments? Recent evidence shows a connection between ornamental creativity, an individual's attractiveness, and their reproductive success. However, this association is not sufficient for establishing that creativity in humans evolved by sexual selection. In this critical review, we synthesize findings from many disciplines about the mechanisms, ontogeny, phylogeny, and the function of creativity in sexual selection. Existing research indicates that creativity has the characteristics expected of a trait evolved by sexual selection: genetic basis, sexual dimorphism, wider variety in males, influence of sex hormones, dysfunctional expressions, an advantage in mating in humans and other animals, and psychological modules adapted to mating contexts. Future studies should investigate mixed findings in the existing literature, such as creativity not being found particularly attractive in a non-WEIRD society. Moreover, we identified remaining knowledge gaps and recommend that further research should be undertaken in the following areas: sexual and reproductive correlates of creativity in non-WEIRD societies, relationship between androgens, development, and creative expression, as well as the impact of ornamental, technical and everyday creativity on attractiveness. Evolutionary research should analyze whether being an evolved signal of genetic quality is the only way in which creativity becomes sexually selected and therefore passed on from generation to generation. This review has gone a long way toward integrating and enhancing our understanding of ornamental creativity as a possible sexual selected psychological trait.

Seasonal variation in cuckoldry rates in the socially monogamous cichlid fish Variabilichromis moorii

Mating patterns in animal populations can respond to environmental conditions and consequently vary across time. To examine this variation in nature, studies must include temporal replicates from the same population. Here, we report temporal variation in genetic parentage in the socially monogamous cichlid Variabilichromis moorii from Lake Tanganyika, using samples of broods and their brood-tending parents that were collected across five field trips from the same study population. The sampled broods were either spawned during the dry season (three field trips) or during the rainy season (two trips). In all seasons, we detected substantial rates of extra-pair paternity, which were ascribed to cuckoldry by bachelor males. Paternity shares of brood-tending males were consistently higher, and the numbers of sires per brood were consistently lower, in broods that were spawned in the dry seasons compared to broods from the rainy seasons. In contrast, the strength of size-assortative pairing in our V. moorii population did not vary temporally. Seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions, such as water turbidity, are proposed as a mechanism behind variable cuckolder pressure. Our data demonstrate the utility of long-term monitoring to improve our understanding of animal mating patterns.

Automatically tracking feeding behavior in populations of foraging C. elegans.

Caenorhabditis elegans feeds on bacteria and other small microorganisms which it ingests using its pharynx, a neuromuscular pump. Currently, measuring feeding behavior requires tracking a single animal, indirectly estimating food intake from population-level metrics, or using restrained animals. To enable large throughput feeding measurements of unrestrained, crawling worms on agarose plates at a single worm resolution, we developed an imaging protocol and a complementary image analysis tool called PharaGlow. We image up to 50 unrestrained crawling worms simultaneously and extract locomotion and feeding behaviors. We demonstrate the tool's robustness and high-throughput capabilities by measuring feeding in different use-case scenarios, such as through development, with genetic and chemical perturbations that result in faster and slower pumping, and in the presence or absence of food. Finally, we demonstrate that our tool is capable of long-term imaging by showing behavioral dynamics of mating animals and worms with different genetic backgrounds. The low-resolution fluorescence microscopes required are readily available in C. elegans laboratories, and in combination with our python-based analysis workflow makes this methodology easily accessible. PharaGlow therefore enables the observation and analysis of the temporal dynamics of feeding and locomotory behaviors with high-throughput and precision in a user-friendly system.

Progress in Genomic Mating in Domestic Animals.

Simple SummarySince animal domestication, breeders have been selecting candidates for breeding based on phenotypic performance. Estimating breeding values through the best linear unbiased prediction method represents a revolutionary shift in animal breeding. On this basis, selection and mating are utilized to improve the production level of animals. The application of genomic selection has once again revolutionized animal breeding methods. However, although this kind of truncated selection based on breeding values can significantly improve genetic gain, the genetic relationship between individuals with a high breeding value is usually closed, and the probability of being co-selected is greater, which will lead to a rapid increase in the rate of inbreeding in the population. Reduced genetic variation is not conducive to long-term sustainable breeding, so a trade-off between genetic gain and inbreeding is required. Genomic mating is the use of candidate individuals’ genomic information to implement optimized breeding and mating, which can effectively control the rate of inbreeding in the population and achieve long-term and sustainable genetic gain. It is more suitable for modern animal breeding, especially for conservation and genetic improvement of local domestic animal breeds.Selection is a continuous process that can influence the distribution of target traits in a population. From the perspective of breeding, elite individuals are selected for breeding, which is called truncated selection. With the introduction and application of the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) method, breeders began to use pedigree-based estimated breeding values (EBV) to select candidates for the genetic improvement of complex traits. Although truncated selection based on EBV can significantly improve the genetic progress, the genetic relationships between individuals with a high breeding value are usually closed, and the probability of being co-selected is greater, which will lead to a rapid increase in the level of inbreeding in the population. Reduced genetic variation is not conducive to long-term sustainable breeding, so a trade-off between genetic progress and inbreeding is required. As livestock and poultry breeding enters the genomic era, using genomic information to obtain optimal mating plans has formally been proposed by Akdemir et al., a method called genomic mating (GM). GM is more accurate and reliable than using pedigree information. Moreover, it can effectively control the inbreeding level of the population and achieve long-term and sustainable genetic gain. Hence, GM is more suitable for modern animal breeding, especially for local livestock and poultry breed conservation and genetic improvement. This review mainly summarized the principle of genomic mating, the methodology and usage of genomic mating, and the progress of its application in livestock and poultry.