中国绿豆应用型核心样本农艺性状的分析

为提高种质资源在育种中的利用效率,建立了我国绿豆（Vigna radiata）应用型核心样本。该样本既包括了资源库中具有特异性状的种质和曾经在生产上大面积种植的品种,也包括了在育种中使用频繁的亲本及苗头品系等。农艺性状变异分析表明,该核心样本具有丰富的表型变异,是绿豆种质资源的代表性样本。聚类分析可将核心样本分为4大类,但类别内种质与其地理来源相关性不明显。不同来源表型数据的分析发现,不同性状间的一致性存在差异。但产量相关性状的表现均与当前育种目标相接近,说明该核心样本具有较高的实用性。     

家畜试验中的一种相关扰动回归模型

本文根据数量遗传学原理,从家畜群体中同一家系内的个体之间存在的遗传相关性出发,建立了扰动项相关的回归模型,运用回归理论讨论一类相关样本的统计推断及其应用。     

单碱基编辑技术的原理、发展及其在家畜育种中的应用

基因编辑技术CRISPR/Cas(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein)在家畜育种领域得到广泛应用,但其效率低下,且存在非靶向切割、安全性较低等问题,极大地限制了家畜育种中单碱基突变的引入。单碱基编辑(single base editing)作为一种最新的基因编辑工具,能够在不导入双链断裂的情况下直接进行碱基的替换,具有编辑效率高和特异性强的特性,为家畜育种的精确基因修饰提供了一种更简单、更有效的方法。本文主要介绍了单碱基编辑系统的原理及发展进程和碱基编辑技术在家畜育种中的应用,以期为单碱基编辑器在家畜育种中进一步优化和选择应用提供参考。     

中国绿豆应用型核心样本农艺性状的分析

为提高种质资源在育种中的利用效率,建立了我国绿豆(Vigna radiata)应用型核心样本。该样本既包括了资源库中具特异性状的种质和曾经在生产上大面积种植的品种,也包括了在育种中使用频繁的亲本及苗头品系等。农艺性状变异分析表明,该核心样本具有丰富的表型变异,是绿豆种质资源的代表性样本。聚类分析可将核心样本分为4大类,但类别内种质与其地理来源相关不明显。不同来源表型数据的分析发现,不同性状间的一致性存在差异。但产量相关性状的表现均与当前育种目标相接近,说明该核心样本具有较高的实用性。     

家畜多个显性性状半同胞家系选择的育种进展分析

本文提出了固定家畜多个不相连锁显性性状的半同胞家系选择体制,并从群体基因型频率、配子频率及表型频率等方面分析了该体制的育种进展．研究证明,半同胞家系选择效果取决于每头公畜交配母畜数K、母畜产仔数N及群体育种水平;K、N越大,群体育种水平越低,选择效果越好．当K=1时,半同胞家系选择就退化成全同胞家系选择;当K=1且N=1时,退化成“理想型横交固定”;当K较大且群体育种水平较低时半同胞家系选择效果与“多元测交”相当．最后讨论了半同胞家系选择在家畜育种实践中的应用问题.     

家畜转基因育种研究进展

转基因技术可以将外源基因导入家畜基因组,使其获得新的可遗传性状,为培育优良家畜品种提供了革命性途径。DNA显微注射法和体细胞克隆法是制备转基因家畜最常用的方法。应用转基因技术可以进行家畜抗病育种(抗病毒、抗菌和抗寄生虫),改良家畜的生产性状(胴体组成、奶品质、产毛、繁殖力和生长速度),培育环保型家畜新品种。文章从动物转基因技术入手,阐明其在家畜品种改良方面的研究现状和策略,并探讨家畜转基因育种面临的问题和应用前景。     

均衡独立样本设计的研究

均衡独立样本设计是一种把独立样本设计与差异显著性检验相结合的试验设计．它基本上可以保证参试的优劣个体在所分样本（或组）间的分布相对均匀一致,使所分样本既具有独立性又具有均衡性,以增强对处理效果反应的灵敏度,提高试验的准确度．     

家畜近亲繁殖群体连锁不平衡的分析

本文分析了家畜近亲繁殖群体连锁位点基因遗传平衡的实现,推导出了配子型频率及基因型频率通用递推公式．研究证明,近交群体不同于随机交配大群体,其连锁不平衡值d（绝对值）随世代的下降速率不仅取决于重组率,而且也依赖于近交速率．近交越剧烈,则d下降越慢;达平衡态时,近交群体d值并不一定等于0．连锁越紧密,近交越剧烈,则平衡d值越大．最后讨论了研究结果在家畜育种中的应用．     

防止家畜亲交退化的方法

亲交在家畜家禽育种工作中是有很大作用的,因为它能使遗传性稳定,同时也可能产生一些不良的后果。因此,在亲交育种中,怎样避免产生不良后果而只表现良好的效果,便成为家畜育种实践中的重要课题之一。这里谈谈亲交会产生哪些不良后果?亲交为什么会造成品种退化和防止亲交退化的方法。 (一)亲交会产生哪些不良后果 家畜家禽多次的近亲繁殖,往往使后代生活能力降低,繁殖力衰退,产仔数减少,生长发育受到阻碍;使     

尾叶桉(Eucalyptus urophylla)第一代育种群体的遗传多样性

本研究利用中性微卫星标记分析了尾叶桉第一代育种群体的遗传多样性水平和遗传结构。Hardy-Weinberg平衡检测表明尾叶桉第一代育种群体各天然种源内存在明显的杂合子缺失现象。标记和种源的遗传多样性参数统计都表明,尾叶桉育种群体各天然种源具有很高的遗传多样性。分子方差分析显示,尾叶桉育种群体的大部分遗传变异来自家系间,种源间的遗传变异分量很低,该结论被种源间很低的遗传分化水平再次佐证。尾叶桉育种群体内的亚群体分类(Structure分析)与各天然种源的地理分布不存在联系,但群体的内亚群体分类和基于Nei遗传距离的聚类比较吻合。本研究结论可为尾叶桉高世代的群体改良和优良杂交种亲本选配提供遗传基础信息。     

Validation of an approximate approach to compute genetic correlations between longevity and linear traits

The estimation of genetic correlations between a nonlinear trait such as longevity and linear traits is computationally difficult on large datasets. A two-step approach was proposed and was checked via simulation. First, univariate analyses were performed to get genetic variance estimates and to compute pseudo-records and their associated weights. These pseudo-records were virtual performances free of all environmental effects that can be used in a BLUP animal model, leading to the same breeding values as in the (possibly nonlinear) initial analyses. By combining these pseudo-records in a multiple trait model and fixing the genetic and residual variances to their values computed during the first step, we obtained correlation estimates by AI-REML and approximate MT-BLUP predicted breeding values that blend direct and indirect information on longevity. Mean genetic correlations and reliabilities obtained on simulated data confirmed the suitability of this approach in a wide range of situations. When nonzero residual correlations exist between traits, a sire model gave nearly unbiased estimates of genetic correlations, while the animal model estimates were biased upwards. Finally, when an incorrect genetic trend was simulated to lead to biased pseudo-records, a joint analysis including a time effect could adequately correct for this bias.     

Estimating genetic covariance functions assuming a parametric correlation structure for environmental effects

A random regression model for the analysis of "repeated" records in animal breeding is described which combines a random regression approach for additive genetic and other random effects with the assumption of a parametric correlation structure for within animal covariances. Both stationary and non-stationary correlation models involving a small number of parameters are considered. Heterogeneity in within animal variances is modelled through polynomial variance functions. Estimation of parameters describing the dispersion structure of such model by restricted maximum likelihood via an "average information" algorithm is outlined. An application to mature weight records of beef cow is given, and results are contrasted to those from analyses fitting sets of random regression coefficients for permanent environmental effects.     

Heritability: uses and abuses

This paper begins with a brief summary of the history of the development of ideas in the field of quantitative genetics. Next there is discussion of the controversy surrounding the contention that IQ tests validly estimate some highly heritable general intelligence factor. The validity of the reasoning supporting this contention is questioned. The theory of correlation between relatives has been of vast importance in plant and animal breeding because it is possible to design and carry out experiments to estimate variance components in expressions for covariances between relatives. However, data on humans is observational and individuals are not randomly assigned to environments, so that estimation of heritability from such data is not on the same firm foundation as it is in plant and animal breeding contexts. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Natural selection on the genetical component of variance in body condition in a wild bird population

Although there is substantial evidence that skeletal measures of body size are heritable in wild animal populations, it is frequently assumed that the nonskeletal component of body weight (or ‘condition’) is determined primarily by environmental factors, in particular nutritional state. We tested this assumption by quantifying the genetic and environmental components of variance in fledgling body condition index (=relative body weight) in a natural population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), and compared the strength of natural selection on individual breeding values with that on phenotypic values. A mixed model analysis of the components of variance, based on an ‘animal model’ and using 18 years of data on 17 717 nestlings, revealed a significant additive genetic component of variance in body condition, which corresponded to a narrow sense heritability (h²) of 0.30 (SE=0.03). Nongenetic contributions to variation in body condition were large, but there was no evidence of dominance variance nor of contributions from early maternal or common environment effects (pre‐manipulation environment) in condition at fledging. Comparison of pre‐ and post‐selection samples revealed virtually identical h² of body condition index, despite the fact that there was a significant decrease (35%) in the levels of additive genetic variance from fledging to breeding. The similar h² in the two samples occurred because the environmental component of variance was also reduced by selection, suggesting that natural selection was acting on both genotypic and environmental variation. The effects of selection on genetic variance were confirmed by calculation of the selection differentials for both phenotypic values and best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) estimates of breeding values: there was positive directional selection on condition index both at the phenotypic and the genotypic level. The significant h² of body condition index is consistent with data from human and rodent populations showing significant additive genetic variance in relative body mass and adiposity, but contrasts with the common assumption in ecology that body condition reflects an individual’s nongenetic nutritional state. Furthermore, the substantial reduction in the additive genetic component of variance in body condition index suggests that selection on environmental deviations cannot alone explain the maintenance of additive genetic variation in heritable traits, but that other mechanisms are needed to explain the moderate to high heritabilities of traits under consistent and strong directional selection.     

Estimation of prediction error variances via Monte Carlo sampling methods using different formulations of the prediction error variance

Calculation of the exact prediction error variance covariance matrix is often computationally too demanding, which limits its application in REML algorithms, the calculation of accuracies of estimated breeding values and the control of variance of response to selection. Alternatively Monte Carlo sampling can be used to calculate approximations of the prediction error variance, which converge to the true values if enough samples are used. However, in practical situations the number of samples, which are computationally feasible, is limited. The objective of this study was to compare the convergence rate of different formulations of the prediction error variance calculated using Monte Carlo sampling. Four of these formulations were published, four were corresponding alternative versions, and two were derived as part of this study. The different formulations had different convergence rates and these were shown to depend on the number of samples and on the level of prediction error variance. Four formulations were competitive and these made use of information on either the variance of the estimated breeding value and on the variance of the true breeding value minus the estimated breeding value or on the covariance between the true and estimated breeding values.     

ESTIMATING POPULATION SIZE IN ASYNCHRONOUS AGGREGATIONS: A BAYESIAN APPROACH AND TEST WITH ELEPHANT SEAL CENSUSES

Many organisms reproduce in temporary aggregations where estimates of colony size can be made by direct counts. When individuals are not synchronous, however, early breeders depart before the last arrive, so counts underestimate the total breeding population. We present a model describing a colony's census as a function of arrival, breeding tenure, and the correlation between them, and we use it to illustrate how variance in arrival and tenure affect the census. Counts of breeding female northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) from 1975 to 2007 were used to test the model. Four of the model's parameters—population size, mean and variance of arrival date, and the correlation between arrival date and breeding tenure—could be estimated from census data using a Bayesian approach; prior estimates of two other parameters—mean tenure and its variance—had to be used to avoid overparameterization. The model's predictions fit observed censuses well and produced reliable estimates of population size and arrival behavior, showing that the maximum census was 8%–16% below the total number of breeding females. This method could be used for estimating abundance in any asynchronous aggregation, given independent information on one of the defining distributions: arrival, tenure, or departure.     

General and specific combining ability from partial diallels of radiata pine: implications for utility of SCA in breeding and deployment populations

Variances for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) and the relationship between mid-parental GCA and SCA effects were estimated for tree diameter (DBH) from a series of 20 sets of 6×6 half-diallel mating experiments in radiata pine, planted at ten sites across Australia. Significant SCA variance for DBH was almost equal to GCA variance for the combined analysis of all ten sites. The importance of SCA variance varied among sites, from non-significant to SCA variance accounting for all genetic variation among full-sib families. Significant SCA × site interaction was detected among the ten sites. A significant and positive correlation between mid-parental breeding values and best linear unbiased predictions of the SCA effects was observed. About a quarter of extra genetic gain is achievable through use of SCA variance if selection is based on the best breeding values. To fully exploit genetic gain from SCA variance in a deployment population, positive assortative matings are required for the best parents. It is estimated that the additional deployment gain of 46.0% for ten sites combined, or 52.9% for four sites combined that had significant GCA as well as SCA effects, were achievable relative to gain from GCA only, if all SCA variance within this breeding population was exploited. For a breeding population, selection for breeding values may be sufficient due to positive correlations between breeding values and SCA values. For a deployment population to capture more SCA genetic gain, it is preferable to make more pair-wise mating for parents with higher breeding values.Communicated by O. Savolainen     

Analysis of variance components in gene expression data

MOTIVATION: A microarray experiment is a multi-step process, and each step is a potential source of variation. There are two major sources of variation: biological variation and technical variation. This study presents a variance-components approach to investigating animal-to-animal, between-array, within-array and day-to-day variations for two data sets. The first data set involved estimation of technical variances for pooled control and pooled treated RNA samples. The variance components included between-array, and two nested within-array variances: between-section (the upper- and lower-sections of the array are replicates) and within-section (two adjacent spots of the same gene are printed within each section). The second experiment was conducted on four different weeks. Each week there were reference and test samples with a dye-flip replicate in two hybridization days. The variance components included week-to-week, animal-to-animal and between-array and within-array variances. RESULTS: We applied the linear mixed-effects model to quantify different sources of variation. In the first data set, we found that the between-array variance is greater than the between-section variance, which, in turn, is greater than the within-section variance. In the second data set, for the reference samples, the week-to-week variance is larger than the between-array variance, which, in turn, is slightly larger than the within-array variance. For the test samples, the week-to-week variance has the largest variation. The animal-to-animal variance is slightly larger than the between-array and within-array variances. However, in a gene-by-gene analysis, the animal-to-animal variance is smaller than the between-array variance in four out of five housekeeping genes. In summary, the largest variation observed is the week-to-week effect. Another important source of variability is the animal-to-animal variation. Finally, we describe the use of variance-component estimates to determine optimal numbers of animals, arrays per animal and sections per array in planning microarray experiments.     

Association of an insulin-like growth factor 1 gene microsatellite with phenotypic variation and estimated breeding values of growth traits in Canchim cattle

A population of 1398 Canchim (CA) cattle was genotyped to assess the association of an insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene microsatellite with phenotypic variation and estimated breeding values of pre-weaning, weaning and post-weaning growth traits. After an initial analysis, the IGF1 genotype only had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on birth weight (BW) and weaning weight adjusted to 240 days (WW240). For these two traits, direct and maternal breeding values were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood (reml). Two analyses were carried out. In the first (Model I), all fixed effects were fitted. In the second (Model II), the fixed effect of the IGF1 genotype was omitted. The estimated genetic and phenotypic components of variance were similar for every trait in both models. For Model I, estimated direct and maternal heritabilities were 0.26 and 0.16 for BW and 0.23 and 0.14 for WW240 respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between BW and WW240 were 0.38 and 0.38 (Model I) and 0.19 and 0.38 (Model II) respectively. Fifty animals were classified according to their direct and maternal breeding values for both traits. Spearman rank-order correlation between animal rankings in the two models was used to assess the effect of including the IGF1 genotype in the model. Non-significant values from this correlation were indicative of a difference in breeding value rankings between the two approaches. The IGF1 gene was found to be associated with phenotypic variation and breeding values in the early phase of growth.     

Correlations of unfavorable movement characteristics in warmblood foals and mares with routinely assessed conformation and performance traits

New movement traits reflecting unfavorable movement characteristics were defined on the basis of detailed movement evaluations (DME) of warmblood foals and mares performed in connection with regular breeding events of the Oldenburg horse breeding societies in 2009 and 2010. DME information was available for 3374 foals and 2844 mares and used for correlation analyses with conformation information on 1987 mares from studbook inspections (SBI) in 2009 and performance information on 2758 mares from mare performance tests (MPT) in 2000 to 2008. Analyses of variance revealed few significant differences between scores for SBI and MPT traits in mares without and with indications of imbalance (IMB) in general or specific findings like irregular tail tone or posture (TTP). SBI scores for general impression and development were significantly lower and MPT scores for trot under rider tended to be higher in IMB-positive mares. Genetic parameters were estimated in linear animal models with residual maximum likelihood. Additive genetic correlations and Pearson correlation coefficients between univariately predicted breeding values indicated unfavorable genetic correlations of IMB and TTP with dressage-related conformation and performance traits. For SBI and MPT traits, we found similarities between the correlation patterns for DME traits in foals and mares. The results implied that breeding of dressage horses may benefit from revision of current movement evaluation and consideration of specific movement characteristics.