Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 45-53 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 47 The methods used in GWAS involve various statistical techniques, such as linear regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square tests. By analyzing large-scale genotype and phenotype data, GWAS can identify genetic markers associated with target traits, providing critical evidence for the genetic improvement of livestock production traits. The advancement of GWAS has opened new avenues for unraveling the genetic basis of complex traits, especially offering advantages in areas such as polygenic effects and low-frequency genetic variations. With the continuous progress of technology and the accumulation of data, the application prospects of GWAS in the field of animal genetics and breeding are set to become even more extensive. 2 Progress in the Genetic Research of Livestock Production Traits Genetic research on livestock production traits has always been an important research direction in the field of animal husbandry. In the past, researchers primarily relied on traditional genetic methods to explore the genetic basis of livestock production traits. With the rapid development of genomics and biotechnology, new generations of genetic research methods have emerged, with GWAS being the most representative. This section will introduce the traditional methods of genetic research on livestock production traits as well as the progress and advantages of new technologies. 2.1 Traditional genetic research methods Traditional genetic research methods were the main means used to study livestock production traits in the early days, including genetic linkage analysis and candidate gene approaches. Genetic linkage analysis is a method to identify genes affecting trait phenotypes by studying the linkage relationships between genetic markers and traits of interest (Teare and Barrett, 2005). Researchers use the genetic information of livestock pedigrees to determine the approximate location of trait genes by constructing pedigrees and genetic maps. However, due to long breeding cycles and high generation numbers in livestock, genetic linkage analysis requires a large amount of pedigree data and time, and its precision is limited. The candidate gene approach is a method of screening and studying genes based on known functions or locations related to traits (Zhu and Zhao, 2007). Researchers select potential candidate genes related to the target trait based on existing biological knowledge and previous research results. This method has higher efficiency and precision but is limited by prior knowledge and assumptions, possibly overlooking important genes. 2.2 Technological advances and advantages With continuous advances in biotechnology, GWAS have become a new tool for studying the genetics of livestock production traits. The advent of this technology has significantly advanced livestock genetic research, bringing many advantages. GWAS is a method that identifies genes affecting traits by detecting associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or other genetic markers and traits across the entire genome. Compared to traditional methods, GWAS does not require prior knowledge of the gene's function or location and can comprehensively and efficiently screen genes related to traits. Moreover, with the continuous development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics methods, the resolution and efficiency of GWAS have been steadily increasing. GWAS offers several advantages. It is not limited by prior knowledge, allowing for a comprehensive and unbiased screening of genes. It can also be conducted in a wider population and sample size, improving the universality and reliability of research results. Additionally, this method can identify the polygenic effects of complex traits, helping to better understand the genetic mechanisms of livestock traits. Both traditional genetic research methods and GWAS have their advantages and disadvantages, but the latter has clear benefits in terms of efficiency and precision, making it the mainstream method for current research on the genetics of livestock production traits. With ongoing technological progress and methodological improvements, GWAS is expected to play an increasingly important role in the future of livestock genetic improvement.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODY0NQ==