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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Genetics and Animal Breeding » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #212064
Title: Technical Note: Computing numerator relationships between any pair of animals

Author
item Van Vleck, Lloyd

Submitted to: Genetics and Molecular Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2007
Publication Date: 9/30/2007
Citation: Van Vleck, L.D. 2007. Technical Note: Computing numerator relationships between any pair of animals. Genetics and Molecular Research. 6(3):685-690.

Interpretive Summary: A simple method is described to compute the numerator relationship between any or all pairs of animals in the numerator relationship matrix. The method depends on output of the MTDFNRM program from the MTDFREML set of programs. An option of the MTDFNRM program creates a file including the inbreeding coefficient for each animal. The method also makes use of how the inbreeding coefficient is calculated: one-half of the relationship between the animal's parents. Then to obtain the numerator relationship between any pair of animals, augment the original pedigree file with a dummy animal with identification number (ID) greater than for any animal in the original pedigree file. Include the ID as parents, the pair of animals for which the relationship is wanted. Then run MTDFNRM with the option to create a file of ordered and original ID for animals and their parents as well as the inbreeding coefficients. Then multiply the inbreeding coefficient for a dummy animal by two to obtain the numerator relationship between the two animals designated as parents.

Technical Abstract: A simple method is described to compute the numerator relationship between any or all pairs of animals in the numerator relationship matrix. The method depends on output of the MTDFNRM program from the MTDFREML set of programs. An option of the MTDFNRM program creates a file including the inbreeding coefficient for each animal. The method also makes use of how the inbreeding coefficient is calculated: one-half of the relationship between the animal's parents. Then to obtain the numerator relationship between any pair of animals, augment the original pedigree file with a dummy animal with identification number (ID) greater than for any animal in the original pedigree file. Include the ID as parents, the pair of animals for which the relationship is wanted. Then run MTDFNRM with the option to create a file of ordered and original ID for animals and their parents as well as the inbreeding coefficients. Then multiply the inbreeding coefficient for a dummy animal by two to obtain the numerator relationship between the two animals designated as parents.