93970 - Precision Breeding and Selection

Learning outcomes

At course completion, the student possesses knowledge on: the definition of selection objectives in the main species of zootechnical interest in relation to the various production systems; the application of genetic improvement principles, including the collection of phenotypic information and pedigree data in zootechnical populations; the use of genomics for animal selection. In particular, the student possesses the skills to: prepare selection procedures for animals of zootechnical interest; organize the collection of essential phenotypic information; estimate genetic and genomic indices for the animals in selection; analyze genomic data to use for selective purposes.

Course contents

Introduction to animal breeding and genetics in the main livestock species

Breeding, selection and crossbreeding

Pedigree information, parentage, inbreeding

Applied genomics in livestock

Phenotyping and genotyping

Phenomics in livestock

Genomic selection in livestock

Conservation of animal genetic resources

Readings/Bibliography

Molecular and Quantitative Animal Genetics. H. Khatib - 2015 - Wiley Blackwell

The Genetics of Cattle. D. Garrick, A. Ruvinsky - 2014 - CABI

The Genetics and Genomics of the Rabbit, L. Fontanesi - 2021 - CABI

Genomic selection in pigs: state of the art and perspectives - A.B. Samorè, L. Fontanesi - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1828051X.2016.1172034

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

Interview on the main topics of the course:

three questions (one on the main and general aspects of livestock genomics and breeding; one of genomic applications in a livestock species; one on the discussion of a genomic project)

The final score (from 1 to 30L) will be derived from the weighted mean of the score of the three questions (first question weight 50%, second and third questions weight 25%).

Teaching tools

Slides, scietific articles and reviews

Office hours

See the website of Luca Fontanesi