Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 239-251 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 239 Review Article Open Access Genomic Selection in Livestock Breeding: Advances and Applications Jinya Li, Mengyue Chen Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: mengyue.chen@cuixi.org Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0025 Received: 20 Apr, 2024 Accepted: 03 Jun., 2024 Published: 28 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li and Chen, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li J.Y., and Chen M.Y., 2024, Genomic selection in livestock breeding: advances and applications, Animal Molecular Breeding, 14(3): 239-251 (doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0025) Abstract This study explores the latest advancements and applications of Genomic Selection (GS) in livestock breeding. With the development of high-throughput genomic sequencing technologies, GS has shown tremendous potential in improving breeding efficiency and accelerating genetic progress. This study systematically analyzes the specific applications of GS in dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs, poultry, small ruminants, and aquaculture species, and discusses the implementation effects of these technologies across different species. It also delves into the challenges faced by GS, including ethical issues, economic barriers, concerns about genetic diversity, and technical and practical difficulties. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the future directions of GS, particularly the integration of emerging technologies such as CRISPR and artificial intelligence, as well as the potential for global collaboration. Through comprehensive research and case studies, this study offers essential scientific foundations and practical guidance for livestock researchers and practitioners to drive the continued progress of global livestock breeding. Keywords Genomic selection; Livestock breeding; Genetic progress; CRISPR; Artificial intelligence 1 Introduction The field of livestock breeding has witnessed significant advancements over the past few decades, with genomic selection (GS) emerging as a transformative technology. This chapter will explore the background, evolution, and relevance of livestock breeding, with a particular focus on the introduction and importance of genomic selection in modern practices. We will also outline the purpose and scope of this study to provide a comprehensive understanding of GS and its applications in livestock breeding. Livestock breeding has been a cornerstone of agricultural development for centuries, focusing on improving the genetic quality of farm animals for traits such as productivity, disease resistance, and adaptability. Traditional breeding methods, based on phenotypic selection, have gradually evolved into more sophisticated approaches, integrating genetic information to achieve faster and more accurate results (Meuwissen et al., 2016). The evolution of breeding techniques has transitioned from basic selective breeding to marker-assisted selection (MAS) and now to genomic selection (GS). While MAS has been somewhat successful, it failed to fully harness the complexity of traits controlled by multiple genes with small effects. GS, however, represents a paradigm shift by using dense genetic markers across the genome, allowing for more accurate selection decisions at earlier stages of animal development (Tan et al., 2017). Genomic selection involves predicting the genetic value of an animal using genome-wide markers, enabling the selection of superior animals at an earlier age. This method contrasts with traditional selection methods by providing high accuracy without the need for direct phenotypic measurements. The development of high-density SNP chips and advancements in sequencing technologies have facilitated the widespread adoption of GS in species like cattle, pigs, and poultry (Ibtisham et al., 2017). The importance of GS in modern livestock breeding cannot be overstated. It significantly enhances genetic gain by reducing the generation interval and increasing the accuracy of breeding value predictions. The ability to implement GS across various species has led to substantial improvements in economically important traits, ultimately contributing to global food security and agricultural sustainability (Singh et al., 2019).
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