Phenotypic, quantitative genetic and genomic characterization of the German black and white dual-purpose cattle breed
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Abstract
The objective of this study was an in-depth evaluation of novel functional traits in endangered dual-purpose cattle, kept in organic pasture-based production systems, on a quantitative genetic, as well as a genomic level, including the effect of environmental influences. The preliminary work constituted a comprehensive pedigree analysis within the endangered black and white dual-purpose (DSN) cattle breed, along with a detailed examination of the population structure (inbreeding, genetic relationships, effective population size), to better characterize the German DSN population. Against this background, a simulation of breeding programs and economic evaluations of production and functional traits of the DSN breed was conducted, based on deterministic equations and population parameters. Different aspects of DSN breeding are divided into five scientific studies (chapters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), which address the previously mentioned research areas: 1) Characterization of the German DSN population, based on pedigree analyses; 2) Examination of relations between novel functional traits and productivity, health and welfare indicator traits in native DSN cattle, under grazing conditions; 3) Multi-breed genome wide association studies (GWAS) of novel functional traits in DSN and other European dual-purpose cattle; 4) Variance heterogeneity and genotype by environment (GxE) interaction analysis in DSN for different herd allocation schemes; 5) Comparison of disparate breeding scenarios for the German DSN population. In chapter 7, further aspects of quantitative-genetic and genomic studies are presented and discussed against the background of DSN breeding program improvements. Finally, genetic correlations between novel functional and production traits are estimated and an outlook regarding future challenges and trends in German DSN breeding is given.Link to publications or other datasets
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Giessen : VVB Laufersweiler Verlag