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Breeding of Agricultural Animals

Course developer

Prior knowledge

LauZ5143, Biological Basis of Animal Husbandry

LauZ5164, Research Methodology in Animal Husbandry

LauZM015, Biochemical and Physiological Aspects of Animal Nutrition

Course abstract

The aim of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge of the importance of agricultural animal breeding work in breeding populations, using classical, molecular and quantitative genetics research methods in selection and pairing as well as in the development of breeding programs. The study course provides knowledge about breeding methods, the application of molecular genetics principles in the control of the breeding of farm animals, the detection of monogenic recessive diseases and the determination of pedigree values based on genomic information. Students gain an understanding of the application of molecular marker technology in practical biotechnology and animal breeding.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course master student will have:
knowledge on the breeding of farm animals based on the use of classical and molecular genetics in the evaluation of the productive traits of farm animals and the development of breeding programs, taking into account the response to sampling, selection and genetic diversity (developed and presented practical works, successfully passed theoretical exam);
skills in formulating breeding goals and developing and monitoring breeding programs in various species of farm animals, being aware of the risks of breeding work in closed populations, interpreting and presenting information from scientific publications (developed and presented practical works, independently prepared 3 presentations, successfully passes exam);
competences competence to evaluate the methods used in the selection of agricultural animals, to understand the principles of genome selection in animal husbandry and to use them in practical and scientific work (developed and presented practical works, independently prepared 3 presentations, successfully passes exam).

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Concept of breeding, scientific and practical importance of breeding. Agricultural animal breeding methods. [L – 2 h]
2. Selection directions and goals. Peculiarities of selection work in different species of farm animals. [L – 1h; P – 1h]
3. Agriculture animal breeding programs, their evaluation, the seven steps necessary to create a breeding program. [L – 2h; P – 2h]
4. Seminar. Breeding and crossbreeding programs for agricultural animals. [P – 4h]
5. Genetic variations. Congenital and non-congenital variability of organisms, its importance in the diversity of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of animals. [L – 2h; P – 2h]
6. Application of molecular genetics in animal breeding. The use of genetic markers, including single nucleotide polymorphism methods, in the analysis of the genome of farm animals and the detection of hereditary genetic diseases. [L – 2h; P – 2h]
7. Breeding control of farm animals using pedigree and genomic test results. [L – 1h; P – 1h]
8. Seminar. Monogenic hereditary pathologies in farm animals. [P – 4h]
9. Use of modern biotechnological methods in animal breeding. Basic principles of genome selection, their use in the selection of functional and productivity traits of farm animals. [L – 2h; P – 2h]
10. Selection and pairing. Use of breeding indexes in the breeding process. [L – 2h; P – 2h]
11. Endangered populations of agricultural animals in Latvia. Genetic study of the economically important traits. [L – 2h]
12. Seminar. Planning of selection work in farm animal breeds using the results of genome analyses. [P – 4h]

Requirements for awarding credit points

Examination. The exam task consists of the theory of the material of the theoretical and practical works learned in the study course. Practical works have been developed. Prepared three papers on learned topics from scientific literature sources. Attendance of lectures and practical works is mandatory.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The master's student independently studies of scientific literature, solving tasks and preparation of presentations on selected topics. Presentations must be public defended.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Exam evaluation depends of the semester cumulative assessment: the average grade of the three presentations, which is 60% (20% each) and 40% of the exam grade. Presentations are graded on a ten-point scale. The presentation is also evaluated by the other master's students of the group, taking into account the content of the presentation, the quality of the scientific literature used, the design of the presentation and presentation skills and answers to questions.

Compulsory reading

1. Pierce B. A. Genetics: A Conceptual Approach. 1st ed. W. H. Freeman & Company, 2003. 736 p.
2. Molecular and Quantitative Animal Genetics. H. Khatib (ed.). Wiley-Blackwell, 2015. 336 p. ISBN 978-1-118-67740-7 [LF, Dzīvnieku zinātņu institūts, 1 eks.]
3. Achieving sustainable production of milk. Volume 1. Milk composition, genetics and breeding. Edited by Dr. N. Van Belzen. Published bu Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited, 2017. 339 p. ISBN 978-1-78676-044-9.
4. Bourdon R. M. Understanding Animal Breeding. Pearson: New International Edition. USA: Pearson education limited, 2014. 513 p.

Further reading

1. Misiņa M., Loža V. Ģenētika ar selekcijas pamatiem. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1991. 397 lpp.
2. Griffiths A.J.F., et al. Modern Genetic analysis. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2000. 675. p.
3. Nicholas F. W. Introduction to Veterinary Genetics. UK: Oxford University Press, 1996. 317 p.
4. OMIA. Dzīvnieku iedzimstošo pazīmju datubāze: https://omia.org/home/

Periodicals and other sources

1. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Wiley. Online ISSN: 1439-0388.
2. Animal. Journal Science Direct, Elsevier. Cambridge University Press. ISSN: 1751-7311 (Print), 1751-732X (Online).
• 3. Zinātniskie žurnāli un rakstu krājumi, kas pieejami LBTU FB abonētajās datu bāzēs.

Notes

Compulsory study course (part A) for Master study programme “Agriculture” with specialization “Animal Husbandry”