How can we determine the breeding value?

How can we determine the breeding value?

• A. We estimate the phenotypic value
• B. We need to know the value of each allele
• C. We measure environmental noise
• D. We only know the dominance effects

Answer: (B)

Breeding value represents the additive genetic merit that can be transmitted to offspring. It’s calculated by summing the additive effects of all alleles an individual carries across all relevant loci. Because the total additive value comes from the specific alleles and their contributions, you must know the value of each allele to determine the breeding value. Estimating or observing the phenotypic value blends in environmental effects and non-additive genetic effects, so it isn’t a pure measure of what is passed on. Environmental noise represents variation from the environment, not genetics. Dominance effects are non-additive interactions between alleles and do not contribute to the additive breeding value.

Breeding value represents the additive genetic merit that can be transmitted to offspring. It’s calculated by summing the additive effects of all alleles an individual carries across all relevant loci. Because the total additive value comes from the specific alleles and their contributions, you must know the value of each allele to determine the breeding value.

Estimating or observing the phenotypic value blends in environmental effects and non-additive genetic effects, so it isn’t a pure measure of what is passed on. Environmental noise represents variation from the environment, not genetics. Dominance effects are non-additive interactions between alleles and do not contribute to the additive breeding value.