Journal of Animal Science, Vol 70, Issue 4 1068-1076, Copyright © 1992 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Restricted maximum likelihood estimation of additive genetic variance when selected base animals are considered fixed

J. H. van der Werf
Department of Animal Breeding, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.

A method to estimate genetic parameters with a model that considers selected base animals as fixed was investigated. The model estimates genetic variance as a conditional variance based on the Mendelian sampling of gametes from the base parents. In a simulation study, 20 sires were selected and each was mated to 20 dams to create 400 animals for the next generation. Selection was for five generations, but only animals of Generations 4 and 5 were assumed to have performance records and known parents. Simulated values for additive genetic and residual variance were 10. Estimated genetic variance was 8.58 when base animals were assumed random and 6.03 when they were assumed fixed. Residual variance was overestimated in the latter case. When males of Generation 4 were not selected to have progeny, estimated genetic variance was 9.91. It was concluded that estimates for genetic parameters in a model with base animals assumed as fixed were not biased by selection of base animals, but a new bias was introduced if descendants of fixed base animals were selected. Estimation of genetic variance from dairy records of daughters of AI test bulls gave differences of up to 8% when the model removed bias from selected base animals.