Editorial: Genetic analysis of reproductive traits in livestock

Overview

Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.

A population is composed of members of the same species that simultaneously live and interact in the same area. When individuals in a population breed, they pass down their genes to their offspring. Many of these genes are polymorphic, meaning that they occur in multiple variants. Such variations of a gene are referred to as alleles. The collective set of all the alleles within a population is known as the gene pool.

Reproductive BehaviorBirds dancing, frogs croaking in ponds, and fireflies lighting up at night are all examples of fascinating animal behaviors. These aren’t just playful acts, they serve a vital purpose in helping animals attract mates and reproduce. Known as reproductive behaviors, such actions are key to passing on genetic material to future generations.Reproductive behaviors vary widely across the animal kingdom. Some animals sing elaborate songs, construct intricate nests, or display...

Although Mendel chose seven unrelated traits in peas to study gene segregation, most traits involve multiple gene interactions that create a spectrum of phenotypes. When the interaction of various genes or alleles at different locations influences a phenotype, this is called epistasis. Epistasis often involves one gene masking or interfering with the expression of another (antagonistic epistasis). Epistasis often occurs when different genes are part of the same biochemical pathway. The...

Mammal ReproductionMammals have specialized reproductive strategies that set them apart from other vertebrates. Most mammals give birth to live young (except monotremes like the platypus and echidna, which lay eggs) and provide care for their offspring. One key feature of mammals is that mothers produce milk to feed their young through mammary glands. Mammals also show various parental care behaviors that increase the survival chances of their young, such as protecting, feeding, and teaching...