Apart from aesthetic and fancier interests, animal breeding is primarily an economic undertaking. Therefore, breeding goals and programmes must be determined with proper consideration of economic factors dictated by the management system and market demand for the end products.
Definition and Scope of Animal Breeding
Breeding is the production of plants and animals, particularly for developing new or improved types. Breeding can be applied to both plants and animals, and when it concerns animals, it is referred to as animal breeding or livestock breeding.
Animal breeding is the application of scientific knowledge to the genetic improvement of animals. To fully understand breeding, it is essential to define genetics.
Genetics is the branch of biology that studies heredity (similarity) and genetic variations (differences). It examines how living organisms inherit characteristics from their ancestors and seeks to identify which traits are inherited and how they are passed from one generation to the next.
Therefore, animal breeding applies genetic principles to develop new breeds with improved characteristics. Genetic principles are utilized in improving animals through selection and mating, forming the foundation of breeding programmes, which involve both management systems and breeding methods.
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Common Terms Used in Animal Breeding
1. Gene The basic unit of heredity, carrying genetic information from parents to offspring across generations.
2. Alleles Alternate forms of a gene; two genes occupying the same locus on homologous chromosomes and influencing the same trait.
3. Locus A fixed location on a DNA strand where a gene or one of its alleles is located.
4. Homozygous Possessing identical genes (one from each parent) for a particular characteristic.
5. Heterozygous Possessing two different genes for a specific characteristic.
6. Dominant The trait that appears in the heterozygous condition, masking the effect of the other gene.
7. Recessive The trait that is masked in the heterozygous condition.
8. Phenotype The physical expression or appearance of an organism.
9. Genotype The genetic makeup or composition of an organism.
10. Hybrid The offspring of genetically pure parents differing in one or more hereditary factors.
11. F1 Generation The first filial generation resulting from a specific mating (i.e., the hybrid). Offspring from mating the F1 generation are the F2 generation, and so on.
12. Monohybrid Cross A cross involving a single pair of genes or one trait.
13. Dihybrid Cross A cross involving two pairs of genes or traits.
14. Segregation The separation of gene pairs during gamete formation.
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Aims and Objectives of Animal Breeding
The goal of any breeding programme is to genetically enhance one or more traits of economic importance. The choice of an appropriate breeding programme depends on inheritance patterns, selection pressure, and generation interval.
The first step in developing an improvement programme is to define breeding objectives and establish suitable techniques for their measurement. While breeding objectives vary depending on the type and purpose of the animals being bred, the primary goal is to improve production efficiency and product quality for consumers through well-planned genetic and environmental improvements.
Specific Objectives of Animal Breeding:
- Improve growth rate.
- Increase production of animals and their products (e.g., milk, meat, eggs, wool).
- Enhance the quality of animals and their products.
- Improve resistance to various diseases.
- Increase the productive lifespan of animals.
- Enhance reproductive rates.
This article has outlined the concepts of breeding and animal breeding, the aims and objectives of animal breeding, and the selection of appropriate breeding programmes based on inheritance, selection pressure, and generation intervals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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