About Book

Humanity has been modifying domesticated animals to better suit human needs for centuries. Selective breeding involves using knowledge from several branches of science. Animal genetics studies selected breeding of livestock through genetic intervention with the purpose of increasing genetic value. It focuses on various aspects of animal heredity, or the passing of traits from one generation to the next. The scientific theory of animal breeding incorporates population genetics, quantitative genetics, statistics, and recently molecular genetics. Animal genetics are designed to provide understanding of issues such as heritability, gene expression, genetics testing, and correlations between genotype and phenotype. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex theories and principles in the field of animal genetics and breeding. It explores all the important aspects of animal genetics and breeding in the present-day scenario. It provides details of hybrid breeding, genetic polymorphism, microsatellite markers, lactation, embryology and peculiarities of horse breeding. It also describes karyotype, genetic characterization, selection methods and disease resistance genetics. It picks up individual methods and explains their need and contribution in the context of the growth of this field. The topics included in this book are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge. It will be of great help & an essential guide to students in the fields of daily science, livestock management and animal breeding.

Preface............................................................................................................ v

Chapter 1 Introductory Chapter: Challenges and Advances in Animal

Genetics.........................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. The main branches of animal genetics.............................................2

3. The role of animal genetics.................................................................5

4. Conclusions............................................................................................6

Chapter 2 Application of Karyotype and Genetic Characterization Analyses

for Hybrid Breeding of Epinephelus Groupers ................................9

Abstract...................................................................................................9

1. Introduction ........................................................................................10

2. Materials and methods......................................................................11

3. Results...................................................................................................14

4. Discussion.............................................................................................19

5. Conclusions..........................................................................................21

Acknowledgements.............................................................................22

Conflict of interest..............................................................................22

Chapter 3 Selection Methods in Poultry Breeding: From Genetics to

Genomics.....................................................................................................26

Abstract.................................................................................................26

1. Introduction..........................................................................................27

2. Selection methods...............................................................................28

3. Molecular approaches........................................................................33

Chapter 4 Genetics of Disease Resistance in Chicken.......................................43

Abstract.................................................................................................43

1. Introduction..........................................................................................44

2. Salmonellosis........................................................................................45

3. Avian influenza virus.........................................................................48

4. Marek’s disease...................................................................................50

5. Newcastle disease...............................................................................52

6. Conclusion............................................................................................53

Conflict of interest..............................................................................53

Chapter 5 Genetic and Breeding Aspects of Lactation ....................................58

Abstract ...............................................................................................58

1. Introduction ........................................................................................58

2. Molecular markers and milk production.......................................59

3. Genetic disorders and animal selection.........................................63

4. Factors affecting milk production...................................................66

5. New breeding approaches to improve dairy animals.................69

6. Conclusion and future perspectives................................................71

Chapter 6 Beyond Fifty Shades: The Genetics of Horse Colors......................74

Abstract.................................................................................................74

1. Introduction..........................................................................................74

2. Basic concepts......................................................................................76

3. The three basic colors........................................................................79

4. Diluted colors......................................................................................81

5. Coat color modifiers...........................................................................89

6. The gray case.......................................................................................91

7. White patterns.....................................................................................92

8. Conclusion..........................................................................................101

Acknowledgements...........................................................................101

Chapter 7 Practical Applications of Microsatellite Markers in

Goat Breeding .......................................................................................106

Abstract .............................................................................................106

1. Introduction ......................................................................................106

2. Development of microsatellite markers in goats........................107

3. Characterization of intrapopulation and interpopulation genetic

diversity in goats..............................................................................109

4. Linkage analysis of disease and economic traits using microsatellite

markers in goats................................................................................112

5. Marker-assisted selection using microsatellite markers in

goats.....................................................................................................114

6. Concluding remarks.........................................................................114

Acknowledgements...........................................................................115

Chapter 8 A Novel Discipline in Embryology — Animal Embryo

Breeding .................................................................................................121

Abstract...............................................................................................121

1. Introduction ......................................................................................121

2. Concept of animal embryo breeding............................................123

3. The relationship of animal embryo breeding science with other

disciplines...........................................................................................124

4. Major research scope and content of animal embryo

breeding..............................................................................................125

5. Research category of animal embryo breeding..........................129

6. Application of Embryo Breeding in animal improvement

program..............................................................................................130

7. Conclusions........................................................................................134

Chapter 9 Some Peculiarities of Horse Breeding...............................................138

1. Introduction ......................................................................................138

2. Horse breeding..................................................................................140

3. Some advantages and difficulties in horse breeding ...............141

Chapter 10 Examples of the Use of Data Mining Methods in Animal

Breeding .................................................................................................156

1. Introduction ......................................................................................156

2. Various methods used in data mining – Multivariate adaptive

regression splines, naïve Bayes classifier, artificial neural

networks, decision trees .................................................................157

3. Classification example – The use of various data mining

methods for the analysis of artificial inseminations and

dystocia in cattle ..............................................................................167

4. Regression tasks - Milk yield prediction in cattle ....................170

5. Model quality ...................................................................................173

6. Prediction quality ............................................................................175

7. Model comparison ...........................................................................177

8. Summary ...........................................................................................177

Chapter 11 Application of Milk Proteins Genetic Polymorphism for Selection

and Breeding of Dairy Cows in Bulgaria ......................................183

1. Introduction........................................................................................183

2. Genotyping of Bulgarian Rhodopean Cattle Breed and Shorthorn

Rhodopean Cattle Breed ................................................................185

3. Milk protein genes polymorphism and cattle selection and

breeding .............................................................................................197

4. Future research ................................................................................203

5. Conclusion ........................................................................................204

Acknowledgement ...........................................................................204

Citation......................................................................................................211

Index...........................................................................................................213

About Author

Sam Chekhov has obtained Ph.D. in Animal Science from State University, Iowa. He has wide-ranging areas of academic interests, which include genome characterization of livestock and molecular genomics. Chekhov serves as an Associate Lecturer at Community College, Bodrum and has also been presented the “Principal’s Award for Excellence in Teaching” award. He has authored and edited a number of academic periodicals, journal papers, articles and books in the field of crossbreeding, ethology, reproduction and breeding techniques for laboratory animals.