why narrowing the gene pool is a bad thing

[knabe]

http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v32/n2/full/nbt.2782.html

The promise and challenge of high-throughput sequencing of the antibody repertoire
narrowing the gene pool potentially reduces immunity and/or adaptive flexibility.

 

[librarian]

Or maybe there are ways to hack the program. Remember this?
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2164-13-606/fulltext.html

BMC Genomics
December 2012, 13:606

A novel analytical method, Birth Date Selection Mapping, detects response of the Angus (Bos taurus) genome to selection on complex traits

Jared E Decker, Daniel A Vasco, Stephanie D McKay, Matthew C McClur, Megan M Rolf, JaeWoo Kim, Sally L Northcut, Stewart Bauck
, Brent W Woodward and 2 more
.....
Furthermore, natural selection may also be attempting to buffer the cellular environment against the deleterious effects of inbreeding. We found that spermatogenesis was an enriched ontology term describing the function of genes within the strongly selected regions of the genome (Additional file 3). Seminal plasma proteins have been associated with bull fertility [45], and selection may be increasing fertility to counter act the inbreeding depression of reproduction (alternatively, the use of AI may be selecting for increased fertility). Genes involved in response to oxidative stress were also identified; response to oxidative stress has been tied to mitigating inbreeding depression [46]. We also inferred that at least 6 heat shock proteins are under selection in Angus and that protein folding was an enriched biological process (Additional file 4). It has been hypothesized that heat shock proteins assist the organism to cope with protein instability and misfolding caused by homozygous nonsynonymous mutations that are elevated in frequency by inbreeding [46–50].
....Finally, our results suggest that natural selection has also acted in this domesticated population to increase immunity and possibly to buffer the organism against the effects of inbreeding depression

 

[aj]

I don't know that anyone disagree's with the value of having a wide genetic base for breeding programs. I pray that 100 years from now that the Shorthorn breed finds a niche in the worlds effort in providing a high protein product out of a low quality roughage and marginal quality land.

 

[trevorgreycattleco]

Think of all the good animals that were killed instead of bred clean. I've changed my opinions on defects. Especially on DS. Enough people with way more knowledge on it than I firmly believe it's completely overblown. With the testing available it's not hard to manage your carrier cattle. And I use to be of the thought you cull any and every carrier. Who knows what's coming down the pipe in the future. I think Knabe is spot on.

 

[HerefordGuy]

Or maybe there are ways to hack the program. Remember this?
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1471-2164-13-606/fulltext.html

BMC Genomics
December 2012, 13:606

A novel analytical method, Birth Date Selection Mapping, detects response of the Angus (Bos taurus) genome to selection on complex traits

Jared E Decker, Daniel A Vasco, Stephanie D McKay, Matthew C McClur, Megan M Rolf, JaeWoo Kim, Sally L Northcut, Stewart Bauck
, Brent W Woodward and 2 more
.....
Furthermore, natural selection may also be attempting to buffer the cellular environment against the deleterious effects of inbreeding. We found that spermatogenesis was an enriched ontology term describing the function of genes within the strongly selected regions of the genome (Additional file 3). Seminal plasma proteins have been associated with bull fertility [45], and selection may be increasing fertility to counter act the inbreeding depression of reproduction (alternatively, the use of AI may be selecting for increased fertility). Genes involved in response to oxidative stress were also identified; response to oxidative stress has been tied to mitigating inbreeding depression [46]. We also inferred that at least 6 heat shock proteins are under selection in Angus and that protein folding was an enriched biological process (Additional file 4). It has been hypothesized that heat shock proteins assist the organism to cope with protein instability and misfolding caused by homozygous nonsynonymous mutations that are elevated in frequency by inbreeding [46–50].
....Finally, our results suggest that natural selection has also acted in this domesticated population to increase immunity and possibly to buffer the organism against the effects of inbreeding depression

Thanks for the shout out librarian!

We are currently researching a threatened fish to see if we see similar selection patterns in other species.

Need to publish some results analyzing Holsteins.