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Discounted expressions of traits in broiler breeding programs
X Jiang1, A F Groen, E W Brascamp
1Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
Poultry Science
|March 25, 1999
Summary
Cumulative discounted expressions (CDE) in broiler breeding are influenced by crossbreeding systems and selection strategies. Understanding these factors is key for optimizing genetic contributions and setting effective breeding goals for improved performance.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Quantitative Genetics
- Poultry Breeding
Background:
- Commercial broilers result from complex crossbreeding systems involving specialized purebred lines.
- The genetic contribution of purebred lines impacts performance across production and reproduction stages.
- Defining breeding goals requires considering multi-trait selection and cumulative discounted expressions (CDE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a systematic methodology for deriving CDE for production and reproduction traits in broiler breeding.
- To analyze the influence of various factors on CDE magnitude within broiler genetic improvement programs.
Main Methods:
- Application of discounted gene flow methodology to broiler performance data.
- Analysis of factors including crossbreeding system, selection scheme (with/without progeny testing, selection intensity), selection path, trait type, interest rate, and time horizon.
- Utilized performance data from a commercial breeding stock.
Main Results:
- All studied factors significantly affected CDE levels.
- Increased inclusion of pure lines in crossbreeding systems reduced CDE for specific selection paths.
- Progeny testing lowered CDE by extending generation intervals.
- Reproduction traits exhibited higher CDE than production traits due to earlier expression.
Conclusions:
- Crossbreeding systems and selection schemes critically influence CDE in broiler breeding.
- Methodology provides a framework for optimizing breeding goals by accounting for genetic contribution over time.
- Earlier expression of reproduction traits leads to higher CDE compared to production traits.