分子育种研究手段之猪QTL定位现状及应用前景

与动物育种有关的遗传学理论大致经历了孟德尔遗传学→群体遗传学→数量遗传学→分子数量遗传学的发展历程，即四代遗传学。伴随着遗传学理论曹发展，猪育种技术的发展也从表型值选择、育种值选择向基因型选择逐步演进和过渡现代的猪育种已不再是某一单项技术的应用，而是遗传学理论、计算机技术、系统工程和育种学家实践经验的一个集合分子育种技术在养猪生产中的应用离不开数量遗传学基础，因此形成分子数量遗传学，改变了传统数量遗传学将控制某个数量性状的多个基因作为一个整体来研究的方法，而直接将研究目标指向各个基因座，借助各种遗传标记、通过统计学将影响数量性状的多个基因区分开来。     

数量遗传学与分子遗传学在动物育种中的应用与前景

1数量遗传学与动物育种 数量遗传学是遗传学原理与统计学方法相结合研究群体数量性状遗传与变异规律的一门遗传学分支学科。迄今为止的动物育种方法基本上是以数量遗传学为理论依据的“数量遗传学方法”，即根据数量遗传学的原理和方法，对畜禽进行适当的选种选配，     

分子育种研究手段之猪QTL定位现状及应用前景

与动物育种有关的遗传学理论大致经历了孟德尔遗传学→群体遗传学→数量遗传学→分子数量遗传学的发展历程,即四代遗传学。伴随着遗传学理论的发展,猪育种技术的发展也从表型值选择、育种值选择向基因型选择逐步演进和过渡。现代的猪育种已不再是某一单项技术的应用,而是遗传学理论、计算机技术、系统工程和育种学家实践经验的一个集合。分子育种技术在养猪生产中的应用离不开数量遗传学基础,因此形成分子数量遗传学,改变了传统数量遗传学将控制某个数量性状的多个基因作为一个整体来研究的方法,而直接将研究目标指向各个基因座,借助各种遗传标记、通过统计学将影响数量性状的多个基因区分开来。     

数量遗传学的发展与动物育种应用

数量遗传学是以生物统计为基础而形成的一门崭新的遗传学分支学科，其理论和技术在动物育种中得到了广泛的应用。本文讨论了数量遗传学的发展历程和发展现状，及在其指导下的动物育种应用，并对其发展前景进行了展望。     

动物遗传育种学科发展历史与研究前沿

早在公元前9000年左右人类就开始驯化野生动物,但直到公元1750年之后才开始进行现代意义上的动物选种。达尔文《物种的起源》一书标志着现代生物学的开始。孟德尔建立了现代遗传学理论,并首先提出遗传粒子的概念。随后,群体遗传学理论建立,重点研究人工选择、自然选择、基因漂变等因素如何影响基因频率的变化,但这一理论应用于育种实践比较困难。随着数量遗传学和电脑技术的发展以及《动物育种计划》的发表,全世界动物育种工作进入快速发展阶段。得益于现代生物技术手段日新月异的发展,动物遗传育种学研究进入了全新的发展阶段,通过对表型信息、分子信息等大量信息的集成分析,性状发育的分子机制及调控机理逐步为人类所了解。     

浅谈数量遗传学与家禽育种

1 前言 数量遗传学是指运用数理统计方法和适宜的遗传模型分析数量性状遗传规律的理论学科,是遗传学与生物统计学相结合而形成的交叉学科,在动物育种改良过程中起着重要的作用.在对畜禽进行选种、选配的育种实践中,数量遗传学的原理是在选择时通过提高群体中有利基因的频率,降低不良基因的频率,从而达到从遗传上改良畜禽经济性状的目的,进而使群体的生产性能得到大幅度提高,向着人类需求的方向发展.半个多世纪以来,在数量遗传学理论的指导下,家禽的肉、蛋的生产性能均得到很大提高.     

影响安哥拉山羊体重和产毛量的非遗传因素

数量遗传学主要是用生物统计学方法对群体的某种数量性状进行随机抽样测量,计算平均数、方差等,并在此基础上估算遗传参数.利用这些参数分析和预测数量性状变异的遗传动态,作为动物育种的参考. 方差分析是关于观测值变异原因的数量分析,它在科学研究中的应用十分广泛.     

分子育种及其在牦牛育种中的应用

随着分子遗传学、计算机科学、信息科学和现代生物技术的迅速发展,由分子遗传学与数量遗传学结合产生的新兴交叉学科——分子数量遗传学也得到了一定的发展,并为动物分子育种奠定了理论基础。与传统的动物育种方法相比,动物分子育种是直接在DNA水平上对性状的基因型或基因进行选择,因而其选种的准确性大大提高。同时,转基因技术的成功应用不仅可提高畜牧业的生产效率,还可拓展家畜的新用途。本文综合论述了分子育种及其在牦牛育种中的应用情况。     

家禽数量性状基因位点的分子标记

至今,家禽的遗传改良一直沿用以数量遗传学为理论基础的常规育种方法,通过个体及其亲属的表型值,借助育种值估计方法,选择优秀遗传材料。由于经历了长期的选择,家禽的生产性能已达到相当高的水平,遗传进展递增率已下降。用现行的育种措施很难取得突破性进展的原因,在于表型选择并不总是有效的,尤其是对那些低遗传力性状。近年来,分子生物学的迅速发展,引起了育种学家的普遍关注,运用分子生物学技术改良动物生产性能,已成为当今世界动物育种科学最热门课题之一。     

分子育种及其在牦牛育种中的应用

随着分子遗传学、计算机科学、信息科学和现代生物技术的迅速发展,由分子遗传学与数量遗传学结合产生的新兴交叉学科--分子数量遗传学也得到了一定的发展,并为动物分子育种奠定了理论基础.与传统的动物育种方法相比,动物分子育种是直接在DNA水平上对性状的基因型或基因进行选择,因而其选种的准确性大大提高.同时,转基因技术的成功应用不仅可提高畜牧业的生产效率,还可拓展家畜的新用途.本文综合论述了分子育种及其在牦牛育种中的应用情况.     

家蚕茧丝性状的遗传基础研究

蚕业是中国农业的重要组成部分,对经济建设和人民生活具有重要意义.丝绸及相关产业使用的原料为茧丝,茧丝性状可谓被直接利用的家蚕最重要的经济性状,主要由蚕品种遗传基础决定.因此,茧丝性状的遗传学研究一直是蚕业科技的重要领域,备受家蚕育种学家关注.然而,茧丝性状为数量性状,其遗传基础的解析是蚕学研究的难点之一.鉴于对茧丝性状遗传控制机制的认识对于家蚕育种的重要意义,从经典遗传到分子层面均具有众多研究,但至今尚无任一控制家蚕茧丝性状的QTL位点获得功能上的实验验证.本文综述了该领域的主要研究进展.     

ASAS centennial paper: Future needs in animal breeding and genetics

The past century has seen animal breeding and genetics evolve and expand from definition and validation of basic population genetics theory to development of selection index theory to today's relatively sophisticated genetic prediction systems enabling industry genetic improvement. The end of the first century of the American Society of Animal Science coincides with the rapid movement of the field into the era of genome-enabled genetic improvement and precision management systems. Led by recent research infrastructure investments by the United States and international partners to develop chicken, bovine, swine, ovine, and equine "genomic toolboxes," the animal breeding community is poised to play a crucial role in the century to come. These genomic toolboxes provide the needed platforms for developing whole-genome selection programs based on linkage disequilibrium for a wide spectrum of traits; allow the opportunity to redefine genetic prediction based on allele sharing as opposed to traditional pedigree relationships; and provide for the first time simultaneous information upon which to practice genetic selection and plan precision management of specific genotypes, all early in the life of the animal. An area of major focus will be mining of the genomes through systems biology approaches to better understand gene and metabolic networks--what has previously been lumped into poorly understood genotype by environment and genotype by genotype interactions. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to the successful merger of genomic and quantitative approaches will be the lack of necessary animal resource populations to appropriately define and measure phenotypes (i.e., the so-called phenomic gap) for difficult-to-measure traits such as resistance to disease and stress, adaptability, longevity, and efficiency of nutrient utilization. Additionally, because of de-emphasis of quantitative genetics and animal breeding programs in academia over the past quarter century, a dearth of qualified young scientists to effectively mine the genomes must immediately be addressed. Although the motivating factors may have changed, the need for high-quality animal breeding and genetics research and education has never been greater.     

Progress of genome wide association study in domestic animals

ABSTRACT: Domestic animals are invaluable resources for study of the molecular architecture of complex traits. Although the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for economically important traits in domestic animals has achieved remarkable results in recent decades, not all of the genetic variation in the complex traits has been captured because of the low density of markers used in QTL mapping studies. The genome wide association study (GWAS), which utilizes high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), provides a new way to tackle this issue. Encouraging achievements in dissection of the genetic mechanisms of complex diseases in humans have resulted from the use of GWAS. At present, GWAS has been applied to the field of domestic animal breeding and genetics, and some advances have been made. Many genes or markers that affect economic traits of interest in domestic animals have been identified. In this review, advances in the use of GWAS in domestic animals are described.     

A global strategy of using molecular genetic information to improve genetics in livestock

Traditional breeding programmes have largely contributed to disseminate the benefits of several quantitative traits in livestock. In developing countries such as Indonesia where animal population scattered throughout the country, it is difficult to invest for molecular research. On the other side, yet, it is worthy asset for breeding purposes. Based on theory and evidence, it has been proved that those scattered population evolved different genetic adaptations in response to a given natural pressure selection. A global strategy can be applied to the use of molecular genetic information for identification of economically important value. The use of genetic markers or more effective of marker-assisted selection (MAS) for desired important traits would be more valuable and useful and even more efficient in important trait selection of superior livestock. DNA marker technology would be very useful when applied for quantitative trait identification. Marker-assisted selection can be used for enhancing conventional breeding and works best for the traits with low heritability such as in reproductive traits and disease resistance. Application of conventional breeding for lower heredity traits would not be efficient because of waiting longer for generation interval, expensive in measurements, more population and more employees needed. Study of quantitative trait loci mapping is early investment to improve genetic merit. It can be performed once but can be used for exploring many genetic traits with economically important values. An effective option is biotechnology application in livestock for the development of genetic varieties such as stress tolerance, growth and carcass traits. Application of biotechnology approaches will enable improvement in productivity, reduction in costs, enrichment of milk compositions and extension of shelf life products.     

Quantitative trait loci for behavioural traits in chickens

The detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) of behavioural traits has mainly been focussed on mouse and rat. With the rapid development of molecular genetics and the statistical tools, QTL mapping for behavioural traits in farm animals is developing. In chicken, a total of 30 QTL involved in pecking-related traits, open-field behaviour, tonic immobility, response to novel objects, and response to a restraint test were detected in different studies. In the search for a useful early predictor for feather pecking (FP) behaviour in adult laying hens, the following was found: FP in young animals is not a predictor for FP in adult animals, however, open-field behaviour in young animals is genetically correlated with FP in adult hens. Before the implementation of FP behaviour or open-field behaviour in breeding programmes, it is essential to know more about the correlation between these behavioural traits and also their relationship with production traits. Nevertheless, with the QTL for behavioural traits and the chicken genome sequence in progress, a better understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms of behavioural traits will be feasible.     

Genetic selection in farmed deer

Selection is the major tool used by breeders to improve the genetic quality of their livestock. Traditional methods of selection are well proven and useful in improving the economic merit of livestock. The performance of an animal is affected by its genetic quality and by the environment in which it is reared. While environmental improvement is expensive and requires continuous inputs, genetic improvement is cumulative and permanent, provided that selection is maintained. To select an animal on its genetic merit account must be taken of the environmental effects on its performance. Comparisons between the performance of animals on different farms or in different years are not valid unless they have genetic material in common. The speed at which genetic improvement is passed on to the rest of a population is affected by the variation and heritability of the traits being selected, the selection intensity and the generation interval. The deer population in the United Kingdom has a high degree of variation for important traits but the selection intensity is low and the generation intervals are larger than in other farmed species. Central performance testing, group breeding schemes and the use of artificial insemination are tools which will be important in the genetic improvement of farmed deer.     

Non-lactational traits of importance in dairy cows and applications for emerging biotechnologies

Dairy cattle have traditionally been selected for their ability to produce milk and milk components. The traditional single-minded approach to selection of dairy cattle has now changed and secondary traits are being included in selection indices by decreasing the emphasis on production. Greater emphasis on non-production traits reflects the industry's desire for functional dairy cattle. Six broad categories of non-lactational traits are discussed in this review. They are: type; growth, body size and composition; efficiency of feed utilisation; disease resistance, e.g. udder health as measured by somatic cell score; reproduction; and management. Most of these traits can be found within selection indices worldwide, although relative emphasis varies. The non-lactational traits mentioned above are quantitative, meaning that the phenotype in the whole animal represents the sum of lesser traits that cannot be easily measured. The physiological mechanisms that underlie quantitative traits are extremely complex. Genetic selection can be applied to quantitative traits but it is difficult to link successful genetic selection with the underlying physiological mechanisms. The importance that the bovine genome sequence will play in the future of the genetics of dairy cattle cannot be understated. Completing the bovine genome sequence is the first step towards modernising our approach to the genetics of dairy cattle. Finding genes in the genome is difficult and scanning billions of base pairs of DNA is an imperfect task. The function of most genes is either unknown or incompletely understood. Combining all of the information into a useable format is known as bioinformatics. At the present time, our capacity to generate information is great but our capacity to understand the information is small. The important information resides within subtle changes in gene expression and within the cumulative effect that these have. Traditional methods of genetic selection in dairy cattle will be used for the foreseeable future. Most non-lactational traits are heritable and will be included in selection indices if the traits have value. The long-term prognosis for genome science is good but advances will take time. Genetic selection in the genome era will be different because DNA sequence analysis may replace traditional methods of genetic selection.     

Non-lactational traits of importance in dairy cows and applications for emerging biotechnologies

Dairy cattle have traditionally been selected for their ability to produce milk and milk components. The traditional single-minded approach to selection of dairy cattle has now changed and secondary traits are being included in selection indices by decreasing the emphasis on production. Greater emphasis on non-production traits reflects the industry's desire for functional dairy cattle. Six broad categories of non-lactational traits are discussed in this review. They are: type; growth, body size and composition; efficiency of feed utilisation; disease resistance, e.g. udder health as measured by somatic cell score; reproduction; and management. Most of these traits can be found within selection indices worldwide, although relative emphasis varies.

The non-lactational traits mentioned above are quantitative, meaning that the phenotype in the whole animal represents the sum of lesser traits that cannot be easily measured. The physiological mechanisms that underlie quantitative traits are extremely complex. Genetic selection can be applied to quantitative traits but it is difficult to link successful genetic selection with the underlying physiological mechanisms. The importance that the bovine genome sequence will play in the future of the genetics of dairy cattle cannot be understated. Completing the bovine genome sequence is the first step towards modernising our approach to the genetics of dairy cattle.

Finding genes in the genome is difficult and scanning billions of base pairs of DNA is an imperfect task. The function of most genes is either unknown or incompletely understood. Combining all of the information into a useable format is known as bioinformatics. At the present time, our capacity to generate information is great but our capacity to understand the information is small. The important information resides within subtle changes in gene expression and within the cumulative effect that these have.

Traditional methods of genetic selection in dairy cattle will be used for the foreseeable future. Most non-lactational traits are heritable and will be included in selection indices if the traits have value. The long-term prognosis for genome science is good but advances will take time. Genetic selection in the genome era will be different because DNA sequence analysis may replace traditional methods of genetic selection.