The use of genomic coancestry matrices in the optimization of contributions for maintaining diversity at specific regions of the genome

Abstract Text: The large amount of genomic information now available permits us to obtain accurate estimates of genetic relationships between animals and to target specific regions in the genome where there is an interest in maximising diversity. Using a semidefinite programming optimisation approach, we have investigated the effectiveness of using genomic coancestry matrices for controlling the loss of genetic variability in specific genomic regions while restricting the overall loss in the rest of the genome. The results show that genomic management was very successful for avoiding loss of diversity at specific genomic regions (even increased diversity). This management was also successful in restricting the loss of diversity in the remaining genome although the realised rate of coancestry resulted higher than the restriction imposed. There is thus a need of refining the theory of genetic contributions when realised genomic matrices are used.

Keywords:

Genetic diversity

Coancestry

Optimal contributions