Review on the development of genotyping methods for assessing farm animal diversity

Advances in molecular biotechnology have introduced new generations of molecular markers for use in the genetic improvement of farm animals. Consequently, more accurate genetic information can be obtained to better understand existing animal genetic resources. This review gives a brief summary on the development of genetic markers including both the classical genetic markers and more advanced DNA-based molecular markers. This review will help us better understand the characteristics of different genetic markers and the genetic diversity of animal genetic resources.     

Estimation of accuracy and bias in genetic evaluations with genetic groups using sampling

Accuracy and bias of EBV are important measures of the quality of genetic evaluations. A sampling method that accounts for the uncertainty in the estimation of genetic group effects was used to calculate accuracy and bias of estimated effects. The method works by repeatedly simulating phenotypes for multiple traits for a defined data and pedigree structure. These simulated values are analyzed using BLUP with genetic groups in the relationship matrix. Accuracies and biases are then calculated as correlations among and differences between true and estimated values across all replicates, respectively. The method was applied to the Irish beef production data set for 15 traits and with 15 genetic groups to account for differences in breed means. Accuracy and bias of estimated genetic group effects, estimated comparisons between genetic group effects, EBV within genetic group, and EBV across genetic group were calculated. Small biases were detected for most estimated genetic group effects and most estimated comparisons between genetic group effects. Most of these were not important relative to the phenotypic SD of the traits involved. For example, a bias of 0.78% of the phenotypic SD was detected for carcass conformation in Aberdeen Angus. However, one trait, calf quality, which had few performance records in the data set, displayed larger bias, ranging from -10.31 to 5.85% of the phenotypic SD across the different estimated genetic group effects. Large differences were observed in the accuracies of genetic group effects, ranging from 0.02 for feed intake in Holstein, which had no data recorded, to >0.97 for carcass conformation, a trait with large amounts of data recorded in the different genetic groups. Large differences were also observed in the accuracies of the comparisons among genetic group effects. The accuracies of the EBV within genetic group and EBV across genetic group were sometimes different; for example, carcass conformation in Belgian Blue had an average accuracy within genetic group of 0.69 compared with an average accuracy across genetic group of 0.89. This suggests that the accuracy of genetic groups should be taken into account when publishing EBV across genetic groups.     

口蹄疫基因疫苗研究进展

口蹄疫是一种危害严重的偶蹄动物传染病 ,研制新型口蹄疫疫苗是防治口蹄疫爆发的有效措施之一。自 1 990年首次出现基因疫苗的研究报道之后 ,基因疫苗已成为疫苗研究领域中的一大热点。文章介绍了近年来国内外在口蹄疫基因疫苗研究方面的新进展 ,包括口蹄疫基因疫苗构成的基本条件、口蹄疫基因疫苗的免疫机理、口蹄疫基因疫苗的不同免疫形式以及免疫佐剂在口蹄疫基因疫苗研究中的应用 ,并对口蹄疫基因疫苗的发展前景进行了讨论     

中国地方鸭遗传资源的分子评估与保护利用

论文从分子遗传学的角度对鸭的遗传资源在群体遗传多样性、群体起源、进化及构建遗传图谱等多个方面的评估进行综述,并对分子遗传标记技术在鸭遗传资源的保护利用上的应用进行概述,以期通过现代动物分子育种技术加快鸭的育种进程。     

Computing simplifications for non-additive genetic models

A limiting factor in the analysis of non‐additive genetic models has been the ability to compute the inverses of non‐additive genetic covariance matrices for large populations. Also, the order of the equations was equal to the number of animals times the number of non‐additive genetic effects that were included in the model. This paper describes a computing algorithm that avoids the inverses of the non‐additive genetic covariance matrices and keeps the size of the equations to be the same as any animal model with only additive genetic effects. Quadratic forms for the non‐additive genetic variances could also be computed without the inverses of the non‐additive genetic covariance matrices.     

藏系绵羊遗传多样性的研究进展

本文系统的论述了藏系绵羊在表型和地域、形态学遗传标记、细胞学遗传标记、生化遗传标记和分子遗传标记等不同方面的遗传多样性研究的概况，说明了藏系绵羊的遗传多样性研究目前仍处于起步水平，因此有必要对藏系绵羊的遗传多样性进行更深入的研究，尤其加强DNA分子水平上的研究。     

The impact of using old germplasm on genetic merit and diversity—A cattle breed case study

Artificial selection and high genetic gains in livestock breeds led to a loss of genetic diversity. Current genetic diversity conservation actions focus on long‐term maintenance of breeds under selection. Gene banks play a role in such actions by storing genetic materials for future use and the recent development of genomic information is facilitating characterization of gene bank material for better use. Using the Meuse‐Rhine‐Issel Dutch cattle breed as a case study, we inferred the potential role of germplasm of old individuals for genetic diversity conservation of the current population. First, we described the evolution of genetic merit and diversity over time and then we applied the optimal contribution (OC) strategy to select individuals for maximizing genetic diversity, or maximizing genetic merit while constraining loss of genetic diversity. In the past decades, genetic merit increased while genetic diversity decreased. Genetic merit and diversity were both higher in an OC scenario restricting the rate of inbreeding when old individuals were considered for selection, compared to considering only animals from the current population. Thus, our study shows that gene bank material, in the form of old individuals, has the potential to support long‐term maintenance and selection of breeds.     

Genetic variations of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymorphisms in Taoyuan and Duroc pigs

The purposes of this study were to assess the genetic variability between Taoyuan (T) and Duroc (D) pigs using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprints and to evaluate the genetic relationship to a commercial synthetic line-Taiwan Black (TB) pig (75% D, 25% T). To assess the genetic variability between T and D, 71 random primers (Operon) were used for RAPD fingerprinting by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The evaluation of the genetic relationship was based on band sharing frequency and band frequency. Thirty-five of the 71 primers (49%) could generate polymorphisms in RAPD fingerprints of T or D pigs. Twenty-two primers produced polymorphic bands from only T genomic DNA, and 14 primers could produce polymorphic bands from only D genomic DNA. These results indicated that there was some genetic difference between T and D pigs. The within-population genetic similarity (WGS) for T, D, and TB populations were 0.742, 0.747, and 0.745, respectively, the between-population genetic similarity (BGS) was 0.946 between T and TB; 0.953 between D and TB; and 0.934 between D and T. The parameters of genetic distance between T and TB; D and TB, T and D were 0.080, 0.064, and 0.096, respectively. When the values of genetic similarity and genetic distance between populations estimated as frequency of occurrence of bands showed lower genetic similarities between pig populations, but indicted similar relationship. TB was genetically more related to D than to T. It provided evidence of the usefulness of the RAPD technique to determine genetic relatedness among T, D, and TB.     

Genomic selection strategies to improve maternal traits in Norwegian White Sheep

This study tested and compared different implementation strategies for genomic selection for Norwegian White Sheep, aiming to increase genetic gain for maternal traits. These strategies were evaluated for their genetic gain ingrowth, carcass and maternal traits, total genetic gain, a weighted sum of the gain in each trait and rates of inbreeding through a full-scale stochastic simulation. Results showed genomic selection schemes to increase genetic gain for maternal traits but reduced genetic gain for other traits. This could also be obtained by selecting rams for artificial selection at a higher age. Implementation of genomic selection in the current breeding structure increased genetic gain for maternal traits up to 57%, outcompeted by reducing the generation interval for artificial insemination rams from current 3 to 2 years. Then, total genetic gain for maternal traits increased by 65%–77% and total genetic gain by18%–20%, but at increased rates of inbreeding.     

Inbreeding and genetic diversity in dogs: results from DNA analysis

This review assesses evidence from DNA analysis to determine whether there is sufficient genetic diversity within breeds to ensure that populations are sustainable in the absence of cross breeding and to determine whether genetic diversity is declining. On average, dog breeds currently retain approximately 87% of the available domestic canine genetic diversity. Requirements that breeding stock must be 'clear' for all genetic disorders may firstly place undue genetic pressure on animals tested as being 'clear' of known genetic disorders, secondly may contribute to loss of diversity and thirdly may result in the dissemination of new recessive disorders for which no genetic tests are available. Global exchange of genetic material may hasten the loss of alleles and this practice should be discussed in relation to the current effective population size of a breed and its expected future popularity. Genomic data do not always support the results from pedigree analysis and possible reasons for this are discussed.     

基于高通量测序技术挖掘分子遗传标记及其在蛋鸡生产中的精准应用

高通量测序技术是研究物种复杂生物性状遗传机制的基础,随着高通量测序技术的不断优化提升,一些与生物表型性状密切相关的基因组变异被精准地挖掘出来,其中包括单核苷酸多态位点(SNP)、小片段的插入或缺失(Indel)、拷贝数变异(CNV)以及结构变异(SV)为代表的分子标记。与传统遗传标记相比较,分子遗传标记具有多态性高、遍布整个基因组、检测手段简单快捷以及成本低廉的特点。通过检测覆盖全基因组范围内的分子标记,利用基因组水平的遗传信息对个体或群体遗传资源进行评估,能够缩短世代间隔、提高选种的准确性,进而在短期内取得较大的遗传进展。作者从高通量测序技术挖掘分子遗传标记角度入手,综述了三代测序技术发展历程和应用领域以及三代分子遗传标记检测技术在蛋鸡种业创新中的应用,并详细阐述了高通量测序技术与分子遗传标记相结合在蛋鸡群体遗传多样性及进化分类、群体遗传图谱的构建和功能基因定位、数量性状形成的遗传机制解析和质量性状形成的遗传机制解析等4个方面的精准应用,以期为蛋鸡基因组选择进入实质应用阶段提供科学依据和指导。     

Applying molecular genetic tools to tiger conservation

The utility of molecular genetic approaches in conservation of endangered taxa is now commonly recognized. Over the past decade, conservation genetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA sequencing and microsatellite genotyping have provided powerful tools to resolve taxonomy uncertainty of tiger subspecies, to define conservation units, to reconstruct phylogeography and demographic history, to examine the genetic ancestry of extinct subspecies, to assess population genetic status non-invasively, and to verify genetic background of captive tigers worldwide. The genetic status of tiger subspecies and populations and implications for developing strategies for the survival of this charismatic species both in situ and ex situ are discussed.     

中国地方鸭品种资源的分子遗传多样性

通过筛选的28个多态性较好的微卫星标记，检测了我国24个地方鸭品种的遗传多样性。利用等位基因频率计算了各群体的遗传参数和群体间的遗传距离，采用邻接法构建了聚类图，并进行了系统发生分析。结果表明：28个微卫星座位在我国家鸭群体中的多态信息含量除APL23和APL79为中度多态外，其他座位均为高度多态座位，可以作为有效的遗传标记用于鸭种之间遗传多样性分析和系统发生关系的分析；我国所有家鸭群体平均杂合度（0．569）低于国内的家鸡和家鹅，其遗传多样性相对贫乏；聚类结果分析表明了各家鸭品种的分子系统发生关系与其育成史、分化及地理分布比较一致。     

基于细胞色素b基因的大河乌猪群体遗传结构研究

为了弄清大河乌猪群体遗传分化水平和遗传结构,以曲靖市5个地理种群的46个大河乌猪样品为试验材料,采用分子生物学方法测定和分析所有个体的线粒体细胞色素b(Cyt b)基因DNA序列。分子变异分析结果表明,大河乌猪群体遗传变异主要来自种群内(62.63％),说明该物种群体遗传结构不明显。中性检验结果进一步证实,大河乌猪群体曾发生过种群数量扩张。这种不显著的种群结构主要来自于大规模的引种和扩大繁育,致使各地理种群间的遗传趋同和遗传一致性。研究结果有望为大河乌猪分子遗传选育工作提供重要的基础数据,并为其遗传种质资源的保护提供重要参考。     

Genetic typing of Malassezia pachydermatis from different domestic animals

In the present study, random amplification of polymorphic DNA, which detects DNA polymorphism in fungal genomic DNA, was applied for genetic typing of Malassezia pachydermatis isolates. Fifty-five isolates from different domestic animals and body sites and the neotype strain CBS 1879 were characterized. Primers M13 and OPT-20 were used to analyse their genetic relatedness and similarity. This technique allowed us to distinguish four different genetic types. The predominant genetic type was observed in isolates recovered from different anatomical locations in all animals. It was the only genetic type found in cats, horse, goat and pig. The other three genetic types were observed only in isolates from external ear canals of dogs. Types II and IV were only recovered from external otitic ears and type III from healthy ears. An animal was colonised by more than one type of M. pachydermatis and different genetic types were detected in the same body site. Some genetic types were only isolated from diseased skin.     

基于SSR标记的河南省狗牙根遗传多样性及群体遗传结构分析北大核心CSCD

应用SSR分子标记,对河南省15个居群共288份狗牙根材料进行遗传多样性及群体遗传结构分析,结果表明,10对引物共扩增出173条条带,其中163条为多态性条带,多态性条带百分率为94.29%,表明河南省狗牙根具有丰富的多态性。15个居群间的遗传分化系数为0.3857,即发生在居群间的遗传变异达到38.57%,大部分的遗传变异发生在居群内部,居群间基因流为0.7964,居群之间存在一定程度的基因交流。不同居群间遗传一致度的变化范围是0.746~0.964,平均为0.767。15个居群间的UPGMA聚类分析结果表明居群间没有完全按照地理来源进行聚类,遗传距离和地理距离矩阵之间的Mantel检验结果表明狗牙根居群间的遗传距离与地理距离之间无相关性。288份狗牙根材料之间的遗传距离为0.0173~0.5205,平均为0.3113,UPGMA聚类结果将所有材料分为3组。基于Structure软件的群体遗传结构分析结果表明,可将288份狗牙根材料分为2个亚群和一个混合型群体,与288份材料的UPGMA聚类结果基本一致,由此可判断两个亚群的遗传背景单一,混合型群体存在一定的种质基因渗透,遗传背景较为复杂。     

Genetic diversity decreases as population density declines: Implications of temporal variation in mitochondrial haplotype frequencies in a natural population of Tscherskia triton

Although the spatial genetic differentiation that occurs in animal populations has been extensively studied, information on temporal variations in genetic structure and diversity is still lacking, especially for animals with oscillating populations. In the present study, we used the mtDNA D‐loop sequence to assess the temporal genetic variation in samples from six successive years for the greater long‐tailed hamster, Tscherskia triton. Sampling was carried out between 1998 and 2003 in cropland on the North China Plain, China. A total of 108 individuals were analyzed. The temporal samples showed a high level of genetic diversity. Substantial genetic changes in haplotype frequencies over time were detected for the hamster population. Random genetic drift and migration are likely to be the major factors responsible for the observed temporal pattern. The genetic diversity of the hamster population was higher in years with higher population density, and lower in years with lower population density. The result supports our hypothesis that genetic diversity decreases when population density declines in animals whose population oscillates greatly between years. The combined effects of inbreeding and genetic drift caused by reproduction, dispersal and population size might play important roles in the observed changes in genetic structure and diversity between years.     

Estimation of additive and non-additive genetic effects for fertility and reproduction traits in North American Holstein cattle using genomic information

Non-additive genetic effects are usually ignored in animal breeding programs due to data structure (e.g., incomplete pedigree), computational limitations and over-parameterization of the models. However, non-additive genetic effects may play an important role in the expression of complex traits in livestock species, such as fertility and reproduction traits. In this study, components of genetic variance for additive and non-additive genetic effects were estimated for a variety of fertility and reproduction traits in Holstein cattle using pedigree and genomic relationship matrices. Four linear models were used: (a) an additive genetic model; (b) a model including both additive and epistatic (additive by additive) genetic effects; (c) a model including both additive and dominance effects; and (d) a full model including additive, epistatic and dominance genetic effects. Nine fertility and reproduction traits were analysed, and models were run separately for heifers (N = 5,825) and cows (N = 6,090). For some traits, a larger proportion of phenotypic variance was explained by non-additive genetic effects compared with additive effects, indicating that epistasis, dominance or a combination thereof is of great importance. Epistatic genetic effects contributed more to the total phenotypic variance than dominance genetic effects. Although these models varied considerably in the partitioning of the components of genetic variance, the models including a non-additive genetic effect did not show a clear advantage over the additive model based on the Akaike information criterion. The partitioning of variance components resulted in a re-ranking of cows based solely on the cows’ additive genetic effects between models, indicating that adjusting for non-additive genetic effects could affect selection decisions made in dairy cattle breeding programs. These results suggest that non-additive genetic effects play an important role in some fertility and reproduction traits in Holstein cattle.     

The roles of calving migration and climate change in the formation of the weak genetic structure in the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii)

Geographical barriers and distance can reduce gene exchange among animals, resulting in genetic divergence of geographically isolated populations. The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) has a geographical range of approximately 1600 km across the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which comprises a series of tall mountains and big rivers. However, previous studies indicate that there is little genetic differentiation among their geographically delineated populations. To better understand the genetic structure of P. hodgsonii populations, we collected 145 samples from the 3 major calving regions, taking into consideration their various calving grounds and migration routes. We used a combination of mitochondrial sequences (Cyt b, ATPase, D‐loop and COX I) to investigate the genetic structure and the evolutionary divergence of the populations. Significant, albeit weak, genetic differentiation was detected among the 3 geographical populations. Analysis of the genetic divergence process revealed that the animals gradually entered a period of rapid genetic differentiation approximately 60 000 years ago. The calving migration of P. hodgsonii cannot be the main cause of their weak genetic structure because this cannot fully homogenize the genetic pool. Instead, the geological and climatic events as well as the coupling vegetation succession process during this period have been suggested to greatly contribute to the genetic structure and the expansion of genetic diversity.     

The use of elite nucleus units in beef cattle breeding

Simple plans for the formation and continuation of elite nucleus breeding units utilizing multiple ovulation and embryo transfer for the genetic improvement of beef cattle were investigated. Three policies of forming nucleus units were considered, each in relation to conventional breeding herds with a possible rate of annual genetic change of .17 phenotypic standard deviation (SD) units and also to breeding herds with no genetic improvement. The genetic improvement (as a genetic lift) from the formation schemes ranged from .43 to 1.38 SD units. Three policies for the continuation of the nucleus units were outlined. The best scheme resulted in almost double the total genetic change possible from conventional breeding herds over a 20-yr period. Transfer of these gains from nucleus to breeding herds and to the commercial herds also was considered. Some advantages and limitations to nucleus breeding schemes were discussed. The opportunity exists for progressive breeders, or groups, to make use of improved genetic evaluation systems (expected breeding values) and embryo transfer to greatly accelerate rates of genetic change in economic efficiency of beef cattle.