Assessment of fecal near-infrared spectroscopy to predict feces chemical composition and apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients in pigs.

Apparent total-tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients could be an alternative measure of feed efficiency (FE) when breeding for robust animals that are fed fiber-rich diets. Apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients requires measuring individual feed intake of a large number of animals which is expensive and complex. Alternatively, ATTD of nutrients and feces chemical composition can be predicted using fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FNIRS).

Strategies for implementing genomic selection in family-based aquaculture breeding schemes: double haploid sib test populations.

Background: Simulation studies have shown that accuracy and genetic gain are increased in genomic selection schemes compared to traditional aquaculture sib-based schemes. In genomic selection, accuracy of selection can be maximized by increasing the precision of the estimation of SNP effects and by maximizing the relationships between test sibs and candidate sibs. Another means of increasing the accuracy of the estimation of SNP effects is to create individuals in the test population with extreme genotypes.

Effect of non-random mating on genomic and BLUP selection schemes.

Background: The risk of long-term unequal contribution of mating pairs to the gene pool is that deleterious recessive genes can be expressed. Such consequences could be alleviated by appropriately designing and optimizing breeding schemes i.e.