Selection based on progeny testing induces rapid changes in myostatin allele frequencies - a case study in sheep

In this study we show that selection based on progeny testing is able to induce a rapid change in allele frequency, even when a fairly broad and balanced breeding goal is applied. The myostatin 3'-UTR mutation (c.*1232G>A) previously found to affect muscularity in Texel sheep is also present in the Norwegian White Sheep population. By genotyping the rams used for artificial insemination (born in1977-2006), a rapid increase in the c.*1232G>A allele frequency was observed, from 0.31 in 1990 to 0.82 in 2006. The major increase was observed after BLUP-based breeding values and the EUROP classification system for carcass quality was implemented in 1991 and 1996, respectively. The MSTN frameshift mutation c.960delG, recently identified in this population, did not show a similar increase in allele frequency during the same period, in spite that it has a strong desirable effect on meat and fat traits. The results also illustrate that unwanted side effects can rapidly be introduced into a population using an efficient breeding scheme. A system for monitoring changes in phenotypic traits additional to those under selection is therefore recommended to identify possible side effects at an early stage.