Reciprocal Recurrent Genomic Selection for Total Genetic Merit in Crossbred Individuals

Genomic Selection (GS: Meuwissen et al, 2001) aims to provide genomic estimated breeding values (gEBVs) as criteria for selection by exploiting associations between genetic markers and phenotypes. This process generally assumes additive genetic merit, implicitly regressing individual phenotype on the number of specific alleles carried, separately for each locus. gEBVs are thus based on estimated allele substitution effects at QTL or at linked marker loci. This paper aims to give proof of concept that genomic selection can be used to breed for dominance effects as well as additive effects, without having to fit both these effects in statistical models. This leads to increasing heterosis in crossbred animals though genomic selection within the contributing parental lines. Should this work under real conditions, the benefits could be substantial, particularly in the pig and poultry industries.