Genomic Selection: A Perspective of Artificial Insemination in Cattle

Economically important traits, determined by multiple genes, make the animal breeding a complex science. Because of the long generation intervals in the methods used for selection, as the main component of genetic improvement, the improvement rates are lower. Therefore, the genomic selection accelerates the selection procedures, breeding control and genetic improvement studies. By means of bull selection with genomic selection, it can be decided if the calf would be a suitable bull in future with DNA investigations of that calf for the required properties of a bull. Although the idea using DNA markers for improving and accelerating the genetic progress in farm animals had existed for a long time, this method has been used in animal breeding with improving technologies. By doing so, gene markers have started to be used; gene maps of animal species have been created. As a result of selection by using the genes markers for artificial insemination (AI) practices will be able to allow the progress to occur faster. For example, one of these advances is to minimise the extra costs due to prolonged storage of test bull semen. In this review, benefits of genomic selection methods on the selection of breeding bulls and AI technology are discussed.