Multipoint linkage map from sperm typing data

Sperm typing makes it possible to construct accurate multipoint linkage maps based on a theoretically unlimited number of meioses. The high sperm number from single individuals enables the dissection of hyper-recombinant regions and presents an ideal situation for studying recombination rate variability in mammals. Of particular relevance for livestock is the fact that fine structure mapping of functional genes by sperm typing can be used to identify the breakpoints between conserved syntenic groups in different species. This is important for the extrapolation of positional information from the highly developed human map to the lower density maps in farm animals.