Genomic tools: genetic testing for genetic defects in various breeds

Abstract

Over the last several years the beef seedstock sector has had to deal with a number of recessive genetic defects. The utilization of assisted reproductive technologies including embryo transfer and artificial insemination has allowed breeders to concentrate selection to a relatively small number of animals. While many breeders avoid matings of half-sibs or sires to daughters to reduce the accumulation of inbreeding, it is not unusual for very prominent sires to appear several generations back in pedigrees of both the sire and dam of a particular individual. It is in this case when there is an increased chance for the appearance of a progeny affected by a recessive genetic defect.