Uncontrolled Inbreeding

Abstract

The main objective of this review is provide a general overview of the current inbreeding status in major livestock types and to remind all animal breeders that increasing accuracy and intensity of selection are not the only considerations in a genetic improvement program. A second objective is to set the stage for detailed reviews of the situations in some individual species in this symposium. Intense selection in livestock without careful mating and large effective population size has led to uncontrolled inbreeding in many species. Modern and likely future genetic techniques will probably increase this trend unless steps to alleviate it are taken. Without control of inbreeding, deterioration in lowly heritable but economically important traits such as reproductive efficiency and survival is likely. All breeds and breeders in all species should take steps to reduce uncontrolled inbreeding to maintain genetic variation and improve competitiveness with other food protein sources.