Applications of Genomic Selection in Poultry

Abstract Text: Here we describe the application of genomic selection in both layer and broiler breeder populations. A brown egg layer line was partitioned into two sub-lines, one used for genomic selection and the other as a pedigree selected control. Generation interval in the genomic sub-line was halved and the sub-line size was reduced compared to the traditionally-selected control. The genomic sub-line outperformed pedigree-selected contemporaries in 12 of 16 traits evaluated, and genomic estimated breeding values were more accurate and persistent than pedigree-based estimates. Genome wide association studies for all available traits identified several regions associated with economically important traits.  Similar improvements in prediction accuracy were observed in broilers. Estimation of the Mendelian sampling term for full sibs without own phenotypic information contributed to this gain. The development of robust imputation methods enabled the implementation of genomic selection into the routine evaluations to accelerate genetic progress.

Keywords: Genomic selection, Poultry, GWAS