Summary
Analysis of variance and proband methods for estimating heritabilities and genetic correlations in low incidence, binomially distributed traits are compared using a computer simulation. It is concluded that reliable but conservative results are obtained by the proband method for heritabilities while analysis of variance techniques are more appropriate for estimating genetic correlations. These results apply providing that the incidences involved are not much less than 0ยท01, and that the true genetic correlation is not very small.
These methods are then applied to pedigree broiler data, including information on live-weight and various skeletal defects. It appears that all the defects considered are heritable, that leg problems have positive genetic correlations with weight, and that it is reasonable to group abnormalities together for the purposes of selection.
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Mercer, J., Hill, W. Estimation of genetic parameters for skeletal defects in broiler chickens. Heredity 53, 193โ203 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1984.75
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1984.75
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