Use of High Density Marker Data – The Role of Individual Functional Mutations

Abstract Text: In dairy cattle breeding programs, high density marker data has enabled accurate selection from pools of candidates, without phenotypic information being available. At the same time, SNP array data is used to identify individual functional mutations that have substantial effects on relevant traits. While in most cases these effects are just pieces of information flowing into genomic breeding values, in some cases, and of increasing importance, considering individual functional mutations separately will play a role. Two important examples, amongst others, are lethal recessive haplotypes which are detrimental to fertility, and specific mutations which can gain relevance in specific environments. In the supply of genetic material to clients, it is foreseen that a combination of now classical technologies for the estimation of genomic breeding values will be supplemented by offering specific genotypes to suit specific needs.

Keywords:

dairy cattle

SNP array data

Functional mutations

Breeding goals