Genomic prediction for crossbred performance using metafounders.

Future genomic evaluation models to be used routinely in breeding programs for pigs and poultry need to be able to optimally use information of crossbred (CB) animals to predict breeding values for CB performance of purebred (PB) selection candidates. Important challenges in the commonly used single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) model are the definition of relationships between the different line compositions and the definition of the base generation per line. The use of metafounders (MFs) in ssGBLUP has been proposed to overcome these issues.

Quantitative and qualitative aspects of standing-up behavior and the prevalence of osteochondrosis in Warmblood foals on different farms: could there be a link?

Background: Osteochondrosis (OC) is a common, clinically important joint disorder in which endochondral ossification is focally disturbed. Reduced blood supply to growing cartilage is considered an important cause of the condition, which has both genetic and environmental origins. Housing conditions can influence cartilage injury through peak-pressure changes during limb sliding.

Breeding implications resulting from classification of patellae luxation in dogs.

Patellar luxation (PL) is one of the major hereditary orthopaedic abnormalities observed in a variety of dog breeds. When the patellae move sideways out of the trochlear groove, this is called PL. The PL score varies between dogs from normal to very severe.

Associations of conformation and locomotive characteristics in growing gilts with osteochondrosis at slaughter.

Osteochondrosis (OC) and abnormalities in conformation and locomotive characteristics (CLC) have been associated with premature culling in sows. Several CLC have been suggested to be associated with OC and might help as an in vivo indicator for and increased risk of having OC. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of OC with CLC assessed at several ages in growing gilts from 2 separate experiments over the effects of dietary restriction (Exp.