VETS8004 Advanced Animal Genetics

6

On-campus OR online

Core

1

This unit will cover:

• principles of population genetics and the concepts of relationship and inbreeding, and adverse effects of this inbreeding
• the principles of quantitative genetics including the concepts of genetic variance, heritability and repeatability, and methods for the identification and selection of superior livestock
• the use of multitrait selection procedures to increase the overall economic value of populations of animals
• the constraints to production gains using genetic selection programmes and advantages obtained through crossbreeding
• the practical application of selection and crossing in animals
• the genetical implications of reproductive technology such as embryo sexing, splitting and cloning, artificial insemination and MOET.

You will need access to a statistical package to complete this unit of study. You will be best to obtain minitab, as a most of the instructions for completing tasks refer to minitab functions.

After studying this unit you will be able to:

• explain the relationship between gene and genotype frequencies and the factors influencing them, including selection and genetic drift
• explain, measure and use the concepts of relationship and inbreeding, and understand the adverse effects of inbreeding
• partition variation in continuously distributed traits (by estimating heritability)
• discuss, design and implement improvement programs for breeding superior livestock for individual traits, using EBVs
• apply economic and genetic principles to the improvement of multiple traits, aimed at increasing the overall economic value of populations of animals
• recognise the constraints to production gains using genetic selection programmes and explain how and why advantages are obtained through crossing
• discuss the genetical implications of reproductive technology such as embryo sexing, splitting and cloning, artificial insemination, MOET and JIVET
• discuss how molecular genetics is assisting animal breeders to improve the process of genetic selection

  Assumed Knowlege

   

  This unit of study builds on genetics and animal science acquired in undergraduate programs. It is assumed that you will have from your undergraduate education:

• a basic understanding of Mendelian genetics,
• the role of DNA in transmission of genetic information and molecular genetics.
• a basic understanding of economically important traits in animal production systems.
• a basic understanding of statistics, including mean, variance, covariance, correlation and regression.

  Assessment

   

  On-campus: examination, assignments.

  Online: online participation, quiz, assignments.

  Textbooks

   
  • Genetic Improvement of Cattle and Sheep
    SIMM, G, 1998
    Farming Press. Miller Freedman UK Ltd
    
    Suppliers:
    Co-op Bookshop
    
    
  • An Introduction to Quantitative Genetics
    Falconer, D.S. and Mackay, T.F.C., 1995, 4th edn.
    Longman Chesire, London
    
    Suppliers:
    Co-op Bookshop
    Amazon
    
    

  Facilitators

   
  • Dr Sally Isberg
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