Gain insight in how to evaluate a running breeding program, both in terms of genetic progress and genetic diversity, and in how dissemination of genetic progress takes place. Animal breeding, and especially farm animal breeding, has developed into a professional industry with modern technologies, large-scale data collection, and analyses.
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This has resulted in very efficient and effective breeding programmes; however in many developing countries, and for many lesser known livestock and fish species there is a need for tailor-made breeding programs In this course, you will learn about the implementation and evaluation of both large industrial scale and the tailor-made breeding programs, in terms of genetic progress and genetic diversity.
Together with other learners, you will dive into the reasons behind crossbreeding in relation to dissemination of genetic improvement. It is essential to know how key biological factors affect the structure of a breeding programme and to understand the different structures a breeding programme can have.
Join this course and learn everything about how to properly evaluate breeding programmes. In several knowledge clips and assignments you will learn how to assess the effects of legislation, competition, GxE, new technology on breeding programmes.
A special section of this course is devoted to monogenic recessive diseases. These diseases play an important role in breeding programs for companion animals such as dogs and horses. Modern DNA sequencing technology now makes it possible not only to detect these mutations but also to design breeding strategies aimed at eliminating these diseases.
After finishing this course you can make informed decisions when setting up a breeding programme for a specific animal in a specific production system and recognize and identify key elements of the course in real-life examples of breeding programmes
Knowledge of statistics at a 2nd or 3rd year university level is needed to follow this course successfully.
This course is part of the Professional Certificate Programme “Animal Breeding and Genetics”.
What you'll learn
- Introduction to evaluating breeding programmes
- Crossbreeding and dissemination of genetic improvement
- Evaluation of breeding programmes
- Genetic diversity in monogenic recessive diseases
- Genetic diversity at a population level
- Breeding programmes in practice
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction
Introduction to evaluating animal breeding programmes, along the seven steps that are needed to set up a breeding programme.
Module 2: Crossbreeding and Dissemination
Learning about heterosis and crossbreeding, including crossbreeding schemes in practice. Learning about the most important breeding programme structures and schemes, and about which key factors influence this structure.
Module 3: Evaluation of Breeding Programmes
How do we assess genetic improvement in breeding programmes? Let’s look into limits to selection, genotype by environment interaction and its consequences for breeding programmes. Learn how multi-trait selection can reduce unwanted correlated responses.
Module 4: Genetic Diversity I - Monogenic Recessive Disorders
This module is all about the nature of monogenic recessive disorders, their mode of inheritance and about strategies to eliminate these defects. Learn about the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and about genetic drift in relation to genetic diversity.
Module 5: Genetic Diversity II - Population Level
Let’s study the forces that affect genetic diversity on a population level, and factors that influence the rate of inbreeding. We will predict the rate of inbreeding in simple situations, and learn how to monitor genetic diversity. Finally, we will discuss in vivo and in vitro strategies to conserve genetic diversity.
Module 6: Breeding Programmes in Practice
Introduction to evaluating animal breeding programmes in practice, through a number of real life situations. How do the different topics covered in the course affect choices made when designing and evaluating a breeding programme?
