Unit 6

Animal Genetics and Breeding Practices

6.1 Introduction to animal genetics and breeding1

Genetics is the study of genes and their effects on living organisms. Genes are small sections of
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that are moleecule inherited by offspring from their parents and
coded specific traits of an organisms.
Animal geneticists have identified elements within genes that can enhance animal growth,
health, and the ability to utilize nutrients and reduce environmental impacts.
Animal genetics is one of the pillars of livestock development alongside animal health, animal
nutrition and husbandry issues such as animal housing.
The objectives of animal breeding are to:
 increase animal yield or productivity
 improve the desirable quality of animal product
 produce disease-resistant animals1
6.2. Breed Improvement Methods
Genetic improvement is based on the principle that the products (such as milk, meat,& wool)
and services ( transport, draught power or cultural services) provided by animals are functions
of their genes and their living environment.
There are three methods of genetic improvement applied in farm animals.
 breed introduction
 selection and
 breeding
6.2.1. Breed Introduction
is bringing high-quality breeds of livestock into the farm or a country.
Before introducing such animals from another farm/country, it is important to be sure that the
breeds possess higher quality characteristics than the local ones.
There are different breeds of farm animals around the world.
These are the
 local breeds
 exotic breeds
 cross breeds
local breeds
 are usually small animals.
 are mature slowly and are poor producers
 are adapted to the local environment and resistant to diseases.
Exotic breeds
 are breed that are not native to Ethiopia,
 are often larger animals.
 are mature early.
 are good producers but they not adapt to the local environment and fall victim to
various diseases.
cross-breeds
 which possess the most desirable qualities of both exotic and local breeds.
Advantages of breed introduction
 Characteristics which are not originally present in the local breeds are introduced Breed
introduction enhances productivity
 Crossbreeds may perform better than local breed if adapted to the local environment
Disadvantages of introduction
 It may introduce new diseases and pests to the area
 Exotic breeds may struggle to adapt to the new area
 Exotic breeds may not reach full productivity in the new environment
6.2.2. Selection
Proper selection is the process of allowing genetically superior animals to be parents of future
generations while culling others.
There are two types of selection.
Natural selection: is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend
to survive, pass on the genes, and produce more offspring.
It is a mechanism of evolution that causes species to change and diverge over time.
Artificial selection: farmers select and mate the best animals. This increases the health and
productivity of animals. There are several methods of artificial selection.2
 Mass selection:
 Progeny selection:
 Family selection:
 Pedigree selection:
Advantages of selection
 It ensures that only the best naturally available animal is selected
 Animals with desirable characteristics are selected.
 Animals from best breeds are bred for distribution.
 Animals with undesirable characteristics are detected and culled.
 Selection reduces the spread of diseases & parasites associated with breeding stocks.
Disadvantages of selection
 Selection is very costly in terms of time and money
 It requires expertise which may not be readily available
  It may bring about elimination or exclusion of some desirable traits of some parent
stock
 No new desirable characteristics that do not occur in the existing stock are introduced3
6.2.3. Breeding
Breeding involves the development of animals by transferring inherited qualities from parents
to offspring. This is achieved through mating. There are different methods of breeding, which
can be categorized as related or unrelated breeding systems.
 In-breeding:
 Line-breeding:
 Out breeding:
 Cross breeding:
6.3. Farm Animal Reproductive Technologies3
Animal breeding is aiming at the improvement of animals by changing their genetic abilities for
important traits. These traits are determined by the requirements and wishes from the society
which might change over time.
6.3.1. Artificial Insemination (AI)
Is the process of collecting sperm cells from male animals and depositing them into the
reproductive tract of a female (vagina, cervix or uterus) by a method other than natural mating.
3
Advantages of Artificial Insemination (AI)
 Wider variety of superior males used
 Increase number of females that can be breed to a superior male
 Reduces spread of infectious diseases such as contagious abortion and vibriosis
 Don’t have to keep a male animal on the farm. Mostly semen is brought from AI
centers.
 It helps in maintaining the accurate breeding and parturition records.
 Old, heavy and injured males can be used.

Disadvantages/limitations of Artificial Insemination (AI)

 Requires well-trained operators.
 Requires specialist equipment and facilities.
 Requires more time than natural services.
 Improper cleaning of instruments and in sanitary conditions may lead to lower fertility.
 If the bull is not properly tested, the spreading of genital diseases will be increased.

6.3.2. Embryo Transfer (ET)

Is an artificial method of breeding whereby newly formed embryos prior to implantation are
removed from a female animal (donor) and transferred into the reproductive tract of another
female (recipient) of the same species. The donors are highly productive or are superior while
the recipients are an inferior in productivity.

Advantages of Embryo Transfer (ET)

 Allows a producer to quickly multiply the number of offspring of the top females
 Is an easier and more rapid exchange of genetic material between countries
 Involves no transport of live animals
 Reduces risks of disease transmission
 Enhances storage and expansion of rare genetic stock

Disadvantages of Embryo Transfer (ET)

 The technique requires a high cost.
 It requires skilled technicians.
 It may be time consuming4

6.4. Animal Identification and Record Keeping

Maintaining herd performance records is one of the best management tools for a successful
genetic improvement program.4Performance records help producers identify areas of
weakness in the overall herd/ flock performance. Information on animals’ performance help a
farmer to make informed decisions about flock management, the selection of new breeding
stock and culling low performing animals.
Individual animal identification allows producers to keep records of an animal’s parentage, birth
date and production records. There are many identification systems. Permanent identifications
include branding, ear tags, tattooing, ear notches or microchips.
There are also some simple temporary methods to mark the animals. Tail marking with a pen
and chalk, clipping their hair, or dying their fur are simple techniques to identify animals. 4