Reproduction traits typically have low to medium heritabilities and do not exhibit a noticeable response to phenotypic selection. Therefore, inclusion of genetic information of the genes associated with reproductive ability could efficiently enhance the selection response. Different causative mutations with major effects on reproductive traits including ovulation rate and litter size have been found in various livestock breeds around the world. Regarding the polygenic nature of fertility traits, application of high-throughput technologies such as genome wide association studies, whole-genome sequencing and whole transcriptome profiling to find new variants is essential for future studies. Moreover, genetic engineering of farm animals using new methods such as CRISPR technology (a technology that can be used to edit genes) are likely to be effective tools for genetic improvement of Livestock reproductive performance traits.
Reproduction is a complex process and reproductive traits typically have low to medium heritabilities; therefore, traditional breeding methods based on phenotypic data only would be a time-consuming process because they need several generations for a slight genetic improvement. Thus, molecular genetics and new technologies such as SNP chips, whole-genome sequencing, whole-transcriptome profiling and genome editing methods (CRISPR technology) are necessary to cover the entire genome and transcriptome and to identify gene pathways involved in these traits along with genetic engineering carried out via cell-mediated transfection.
Manuscripts submitted to this topic should focus on the molecular genetics and functional genomics of economically important and farm animals. Papers covering the following areas of research are welcome:
• The study of variability at gene and genome levels
• Genome-wide associations
• Genetic diversity
• Genome editing
• Characterisation of gene or protein expression and control related to phenotypic or genetic variation
Reproduction traits typically have low to medium heritabilities and do not exhibit a noticeable response to phenotypic selection. Therefore, inclusion of genetic information of the genes associated with reproductive ability could efficiently enhance the selection response. Different causative mutations with major effects on reproductive traits including ovulation rate and litter size have been found in various livestock breeds around the world. Regarding the polygenic nature of fertility traits, application of high-throughput technologies such as genome wide association studies, whole-genome sequencing and whole transcriptome profiling to find new variants is essential for future studies. Moreover, genetic engineering of farm animals using new methods such as CRISPR technology (a technology that can be used to edit genes) are likely to be effective tools for genetic improvement of Livestock reproductive performance traits.
Reproduction is a complex process and reproductive traits typically have low to medium heritabilities; therefore, traditional breeding methods based on phenotypic data only would be a time-consuming process because they need several generations for a slight genetic improvement. Thus, molecular genetics and new technologies such as SNP chips, whole-genome sequencing, whole-transcriptome profiling and genome editing methods (CRISPR technology) are necessary to cover the entire genome and transcriptome and to identify gene pathways involved in these traits along with genetic engineering carried out via cell-mediated transfection.
Manuscripts submitted to this topic should focus on the molecular genetics and functional genomics of economically important and farm animals. Papers covering the following areas of research are welcome:
• The study of variability at gene and genome levels
• Genome-wide associations
• Genetic diversity
• Genome editing
• Characterisation of gene or protein expression and control related to phenotypic or genetic variation