Potential of promotion of alleles by genome editing to improve quantitative traits in livestock breeding programs

• DOI: 10.1186/s12711-015-0135-3
• Publication Date: 2015-07-01T09:59:25Z
• Authors: Janez Jenko; Gregor Gorjanc; Matthew A Cleveland; Rajeev K Varshney; C. Bruce A Whitelaw; John A Woolliams; John M Hickey
• Keywords: Sire

Genome editing (GE) is a method that enables specific nucleotides in the genome of an individual to be changed. To date, use GE livestock has focussed on simple traits are controlled by few quantitative trait (QTN) with large effects. The aim this study was evaluate potential improve many QTN, referred here as promotion alleles (PAGE). Multiple scenarios were simulated test alternative PAGE strategies for trait. They differed (i) number edits per sire (0 100), (ii) generation 500), and (iii) extent (i.e. all sires or only proportion them). base line scenario involved selecting individuals true breeding values (i.e., genomic selection (GS only)-genomic perfect accuracy) several generations. Alternative complemented + PAGE). effect different quantified comparing response selection, changes allele frequencies, distinct QTN edited, sum absolute effects edited generation, inbreeding. Response after 20 generations between 1.08 4.12 times higher GS than only. Increases larger more edited. When total resources limited, resulted greater inbreeding compared QTN. Between PAGE, there little difference average change but major largest decreased across This showed great application programs, needs managed.