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Strategies for Using Genomics to Improve Swine Resistance to PRRS
Different selection strategies involving genomic data for the swine industry were compared through simulation on their ability to reduce the effects of the PRRS virus. Ten thousand QTL with up to 7 alleles each were assumed to affect 22 traits including resistance to PRRS. The base strategy did not utilize genomic information and ignored PRRS. Other strategies included EBVs for PRRS; a single major QTL; 100 major QTLs; and use of all 10 thousand QTL. Replacement animals were chosen based on selection index including estimated breeding values for 9 traits. Genetic trends for PRRS resistance in the nucleus populations, and phenotypic trends in infected pigs and sows at the commercial level were used to compare strategies. Genetic trends for PRRS resistance were best when all 10,000 QTL were used, but phenotypic trends in the commercial herds were very low.
Keywords:
PRRS virus
genomic strategies
simulation
