Optimised Livestock Breeding Programs Using Female Reproductive Technologies and Genomic Selection

Abstract

This thesis explores various methods to optimise breeding programs that use female reproductive technologies and genomic selection. Simulation studies have shown that female reproductive technologies such as multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and juvenile in vitro embryo production and transfer (JIVET) can increase rates of genetic gain through increased female selection intensity and decreased generation interval. Furthermore the use of genomic selection has facilitated better selection decisions to be made on younger selection candidates that may not have phenotypic measurements. When combining genomic selection with reproductive technologies the rate of genetic gain could be further accelerated. However intensive use of the best females in breeding programs can also increase the rate of inbreeding to unsustainable levels. This thesis aimed to stochastically simulate breeding programs where reproductive and genomic technologies are optimally implemented while maintaining a sustainable increase of inbreeding. The impacts of using reproductive technologies and/or genomic selection were evaluated for breeding programs across species. Furthermore, the thesis investigated a cost-benefit analysis of using reproductive technologies which led to a further study that optimized the use of reproductive technologies that considered their costs as well as future co-ancestry during selection.