Use of data from crossbred animals for a genomic evaluation of pure line layer. XIth European symposium on poultry genetics (ESPG

Allais, Sophie

Burlot, Thierry

Herault, Frédéric

Le Roy, Pascale

Picard Druet, David

Varenne, Amandine

Forrer, Sarah Hastings Howard

Wellesley College

Letter from Sarah Forrer, Dayton, OH to Augusta Bruen, 1862 July 6

ProdInra

Use of data from crossbred animals for a genomic evaluation of pure line layer

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Use of data from crossbred animals for a genomic
evaluation of pure line layer
David Picard Druet, Amandine Varenne, Frédéric Herault, Thierry Burlot,
Sophie Allais, Pascale Le Roy
To cite this version:
David Picard Druet, Amandine Varenne, Frédéric Herault, Thierry Burlot, Sophie Allais, et al.. Use
of data from crossbred animals for a genomic evaluation of pure line layer. XIth European symposium
on poultry genetics (ESPG), Oct 2019, Prague, Czech Republic. Guarant International spol. s r.o.,
2019. ￿hal-02352494￿
23–25 OCTOBER 2019
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
XITH EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON POULTRY GENETICS
35
Acknowledgements
The authors extend their gratitude to the managers and personnel of the Hybrid Turkeys pedigree farm (Kitchener, Canada) for 
collecting and providing data used in this study. This study was part of the project entitled “Application of genomic selection in 
turkeys for health, welfare, efficiency and production traits” funded by the government of Canada through the Genome Canada 
Genomic Application Partnership Program and administered by Ontario Genomics (recipients: B.J. Wood (Industry) and C.F. Baes 
(Academic)). 
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breast meat yield and walking ability in a turkey line (Meleagris gallopavo). Genet Sel Evol Submitted.
abdalla, E.a., PEñagaricano, F., byrEm, t.m., WEigEl, k.a., and roSa, g.J.m. (2016) Genome-wide association mapping and pathway analysis of leukosis incidence 
in a US Holstein cattle population. Anim Genet 47:395–407. 
aguilar, i., i. miSztal, d.l. JohnSon, a. lEgarra, S. tSuruta, and t.J. laWlor. (2010) Hot topic: A unified approach to utilize phenotypic, full pedigree, and genomic 
information for genetic evaluation of Holstein final score1. J Dairy Sci 93:743–752. 
chriStEnSEn, o.F., and lund, m.S. (2010) Genomic prediction when some animals are not genotyped. Genet Sel Evol 42:1–8.
clark, S.a., and Van dEr WErF, J. (2013) Genomic best linear unbiased prediction (gBLUP) for the estimation of genomic breeding values. Methods Mol Biol 
1019:321-1030.
daEtWylEr, h.d., VillanuEVa, b., biJma, P., and WoolliamS, J.a. (2007) Inbreeding in genome‐wide selection. J Anim Breed Genet 124:369–376.
FragomEni, b.o., lourEnco, d.a.l., tSuruta, S., maSuda, y., aguilar, i., lEgarra, a., laWlor, t.J., and miSztal, i. (2015) Hot topic: Use of genomic recursions in sin-
gle-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) with a large number of genotypes. J Dairy Sci 98:4090–4094. 
goddard, m. (2009) Genomic selection: prediction of accuracy and maximisation of long term response. Genetica 136:245–257.
habiEr, d., tEtEnS, J., SEEFriEd, F.r., lichtnEr, P. and thallEr, g. (2010) The impact of genetic relationship information on genomic breeding values in German Hol-
stein cattle. Genet Sel Evol 42:1–12.
hayES, b.J., boWman, P.J., chambErlain, a.c., VErbyla, k., and goddard, m.E. (2009) Accuracy of genomic breeding values in multi-breed dairy cattle populations. 
Genet Sel Evol 41:1–9. 
lEgarra, a., aguilar, i., and miSztal, i. (2009) A relationship matrix including full pedigree and genomic information. J Dairy Sci 92:4656–4663.
miSztal, i., lEgarra, a., and aguilar, i. (2009) Computing procedures for genetic evaluation including phenotypic, full pedigree, and genomic information. J Dairy 
Sci 92:4648–4655.
Van taSSEll, c.P., Smith, t.P.l., matukumalli, l.k., taylor, J.F., SchnabEl, r.d., laWlEy, c.t., haudEnSchild, c.d., moorE, S.S., WarrEn, W.c., and SonStEgard t.S. (2008) 
SNP discovery and allele frequency estimation by deep sequencing of reduced representation libraries. Nat Methods 5:247–252.
VanradEn, P.m. (2008) Efficient Methods to Compute Genomic Predictions. J Dairy Sci 91:4414–4423. 
VanradEn, P.m., Van taSSEll, c.P., WigganS, g.r., SonStEgard, t.S., SchnabEl, r.d., taylor, J.F., and SchEnkEl, F.S. (2009) Invited Review: Reliability of genomic pre-
dictions for North American Holstein bulls. J Dairy Sci 92:16–24. 
Use of data from crossbred animals for a genomic evaluation of 
pure line layer
David Picard Druet1, Amandine Varenne2, Frédéric Hérault1, Thierry Burlot2, Sophie Allais1, Pascale Le Roy1
1PEGASE, INRA, Agrocampus Ouest, 16 Le Clos, 35590 Saint-Gilles, France; 2NOVOGEN, 5 rue des Compagnons, 22960 Plédran, France
Corresponding author: pascale.le-roy@inra.fr
Keywords: laying hens, egg quality, genomic evaluation, accuracy, crossbred
Introduction
In poultry selection programs, pyramidal schemes are traditionally used to produce crossbred animals issued from several pure 
lines. Each pure line is selected independently of the others and its genetic evaluation is carried out using purebred performan-
ces. One major drawback is that the performances of purebred individuals (PB) may prove to be an imperfect predictor of the 
performances of crossbred individuals (CB). Indeed, because of the presence of non-additive genetic effects, e.g. dominance and 
epistasis, and genotype by environment interactions, the genetic correlation between PB and CB for a given trait can be signifi-
cantly different from 1 (Wei and Steen, 1991).
To overcome this limitation, Wei (1992) proposed the joint use of both PB and CB information. Recent studies confirmed the inte-
rest of this strategy in optimizing genomic selection in crossbreeding schemes (Esfandyari et al., 2015). However, in practice, this 
approach has its limitations since only purebred selection candidates are genotyped. To overcome this problem, Christensen et 
al. (2014) extended the Wei and van der Werf (1994) model in order to implement the single step method (ssGBLUP, Aguilar et al., 
2010) which allows for a joint evaluation of animals, whether genotyped or not.
Furthermore, a strategy commonly applied by layers breeding companies consists in checking the overall ability for combination 
of purebred males, by using the performances of different crossbred progeny. In this case, genotyping is available only for these 
purebred males, that represent only one of the various purebred lines used in the crossbreeding scheme. The performances are 
recorded on their crossbred daughters, which are half-sisters with unknown dam pedigree. In Picard Druet et al. (2019), the rele-
23–25 OCTOBER 2019
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
XITH EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON POULTRY GENETICS
36
vance of genomic evaluation of egg quality traits using the ssGBLUP was analysed in a purebred line, i.e. using purebred perfor-
mances. The present study focuses on the use of performances from crossbred individuals issued from the same purebred line.
Material and Methods
Animals and genotypes: PB individuals come from a pure line of Rhode Island layers selected by Novogen. Hens were hatched 
in 12 batches, born between 2008 and 2015, which corresponds to 4 generations (PB1 to PB4). Egg quality traits were measured 
once a week, from 60 weeks of age to 80 weeks of age (7 982 hens issued from 514 sires and 1 759 dams). Purebred birds were 
genotyped using the 600K Affymetrix® Axiom® HD genotyping array (Kranis et al., 2013) for 580 961 SNP markers. After quality 
control was completed, 302 102 SNPs genotypes of 1 214 males and 1 148 females were kept for the study. In addition, the per-
formances of CB individuals, which were crossbred offspring issued from PB1 to PB3 males (37 232 hens issued from 1 384 sires), 
were available. Each purebred male had 45 crossbred daughters in expectation, with unknown dams of different genetic type. 
Crossbred hens were hatched in collective cages of 12 half-sisters from the same sire. Egg quality traits were measured once they 
reached 70 weeks of age.
Traits: Three egg quality traits were studied: egg weight (EW), eggshell color (ESC), and eggshell strength (ESS). The first step 
consisted in measuring EW (in g). Then, eggshell color was measured with a Minolta chromameter and three measurements were 
recorded: redness of eggshell a*, yellowness of eggshell b* and lightness of eggshell L*. Eggshell color was then calculated as: 
ESC = 100 - (L* - a* - b*). Finally, shell strength was measured using a compression machine, to evaluate the static stiffness of the 
shell. The egg was compressed between two flat plates moving at constant speed. ESS is the maximum force recorded before 
eggshell fracture (in N, multiplied by 100).
Genetic and genomic evaluations: Performances were centred and standardized prior to evaluations. Each trait was first eva-
luated using PB performances only, applying an uni-trait animal model. Then, 3 bi-variate animal models (EW(PB) and EW(CB), 
ESC(PB) and ESC(CB), ESS(PB) and ESS(CB)) were applied. For all the traits, the statistical model took into account environmental 
effects: batch, cage position in the poultry house, waiting time between sample and egg measurement covariable (in days), and 
age of the hen (in weeks) covariable. For PB performances, several measurements were available for each hen, and a random 
common environmental effect of the hen was taken into account in the model. The evaluations were performed using the BLUP 
methodology (to obtain Estimated Breeding Values (EBV)) and the single-step GBLUP methodology (to obtain Genomic Estima-
ted Breeding Values (GEBV)), implemented in the BLUPF90 family of programs (Misztal et al., 2002). Variance-covariance matrices 
were estimated using REMLF90. Standard errors of genetic parameters estimates were then obtained with AIREMLF90.
Reliability of prediction: To assess the relevance of the evaluations, the estimated breeding values, i.e. EBVs and GEBVs of selec-
tion candidates, were compared to their true breeding values (TBVs). For the purpose of this study, a male candidate population 
comprised of 93 PB3 males, with PB4 daughters and CB3 daughters, was used. However, their TBVs were unknown and the LR 
method (Legarra and Reverter, 2018) was therefore used. This method is based on a comparison between evaluations realized 
with complete and partial data sets, as the deviation between GEBVs resulting from consecutive evaluations is a function of GE-
BVs respective accuracy. Two different cases of partial data sets were studied, based on the amount of phenotypic information 
available when the evaluation was carried out: at the birth of candidates and at 80 weeks of age. In the first case, the phenotyped 
population was limited to the ancestors of the candidates. In the second case, the phenotyped population included the ances-
tors as well as the contemporary relatives of the candidates. This case corresponds to the classical scheme in layers selection. The 
available phenotypes made up the complete data set, which included the performances of candidates’ daughters (PB and CB). 
The correlation between (G)EBVs resulting from complete and partial evaluations was an estimate of their relative accuracy. In 
order to compare evaluations, in a given case, the ratio between their relative accuracy was used. This statistics allows to quantify 
the expected increase in accuracy from one evaluation to the other.
Results and Discussion
Table1 Genetic parameters 
Trait Heritability PB Heritability CB Genetic correlation
EW 0.43 0.76 0.82
ESC 0.37 0.48 0.78
ESS 0.21 0.28 0.73
Genetic parameters: Genetic parameters were very steady between REMLs carried out with BLUP and REMLs carried out with 
GBLUP, regardless of the trait studied. The same variance-covariance matrix, i.e. the one obtained with genomic evaluation using 
the complete data set, was then used to perform subsequent BLUP and GBLUP evaluations. Estimates of heritability in PB were 
in accordance with the literature (Table 1). As expected, they were higher in CB, which is probably due to the presence of non-
-additive effects, in particular as what regards EW. Moreover, for all traits, a strong link was observed between PB and CB traits, 
with genetic correlations estimated between 0.73 and 0.82 (Table 1). However, these values were significantly different from 1. 
This shows the potential interest of bi-variate models in obtaining accurate estimates of (G)EBVs, for both PB traits and CB traits.
(G)EBVs relative accuracy: For all traits and all evaluations, relative accuracy of (G)EBVs dramatically increased between the eva-
luation carried out at birth and the one carried out at 80 weeks of age (Table 2 by line). When using bi-trait models, the accuracy 
gain between genetic evaluation and genomic evaluation was always significant, although it varied depending on the trait and 
the period of evaluation (Figure 1). The deviation between PB traits and CB traits was moderate for what regards EW and ESC. It 
was greater for ESS, ranging from 13% (ESS in PB at birth) to 48% (ESS in CB at birth). As a consequence, genomic evaluation of 
ESS(CB) sounds very promising.
23–25 OCTOBER 2019
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
XITH EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON POULTRY GENETICS
37
Table 2 Relative accuracy of (G)EBVs
Trait Evaluation At birth At 80 weeks
EBV GEBV EBV GEBV
EW(PB) Unitrait PB 0.35 0.54 0.49 0.63
Bitrait PB&CB 0.41 0.54 0.65 0.78
EW(CB) Bitrait PB&CB 0.29 0.42 0.59 0.72
ESC(PB) Unitrait PB 0.30 0.42 0.35 0.54
Bitrait PB&CB 0.43 0.57 0.58 0.76
ESC(CB) Bitrait PB&CB 0.37 0.51 0.56 0.76
ESS(PB) Unitrait PB 0.49 0.52 0.57 0.71
Bitrait PB&CB 0.46 0.53 0.70 0.82
ESS(CB) Bitrait PB&CB 0.23 0.44 0.49 0.70
The role played by CB performances in the accura-
cy of (G)EBVs for PB traits is presented in Figure 2. 
The gain for EBVs and for GEBVs was quite similar, 
with slightly higher values for EBVs. CB performan-
ces proved useful in the case of ESC, with a gain 
ranging from 26% to 40%. Accuracy gain was lower 
in the case of EW (from 15% to 20%), and null in 
the case of GEBVs carried out at birth. In the case 
of ESS, the gain only shows at 80 weeks of age for 
both EBVs and GEBVs. 
Conclusion
Whichever egg quality trait, the genetic correla-
tion observed between PB performances and CB 
performances shows that these traits should be 
considered and evaluated as two different traits. In 
every case, genomic evaluation proved more accu-
rate than genetic evaluation. Great heterogeneity 
in accuracy gain was observed from one trait to 
the other. This heterogeneity could be due to the 
differences in the genetic architecture of the traits 
(Romé et al., 2015). Notably, the potential accuracy 
gain resulting from the inclusion of CB performan-
ces in the evaluation of PB traits, varied depending 
on the trait and on the period of evaluation.
References
Aguilar, I., Misztal, I., Johnson, D.L., Legarra, A., Tsuruta, S. 
and Lawlor, T.J. (2010) A unified approach to utilize phenoty-
pic, full pedigree, and genomic information for genetic evalua-
tions of Holstein final score. J Dairy Science 93: 743-752.
Christensen, O.F., Legarra, A., Lund, M.S. and Su G. (2015) 
Genetic evaluation for three-way crossbreeding. Genetics Selec-
tion Evolution 47: 98.
Esfandyari, H., Sorensen, A.C. and Bijma, P. (2015) Maxi-
mizing crossbred performance through purebred genomic 
selection. Genetics Selection Evolution 47: 16.
Kranis, A., Gheyas, A.A., Boschiero, C., Turner, F., Yu, L., 
Smith S., et al. (2013) Development of a high density 600K 
SNP genotyping array for chicken. BMC Genomics 14:59.
Legarra, A. and Reverter, A. (2018) Semi-parametric estimates of population accuracy and bias of predictions of breeding values and future phenotypes using 
the LR method. Genetics Selection Evolution 50: 53.
Misztal, I., Tsuruta, S., Strabel, T., Auvray, B., Druet, T. and Lee, D. (2002) BLUPF90 and related programs. In: Proceedings of the 7th World Congress on Genetics 
Applied to Livestock Production, Montpellier, 28: 743.
Picard Druet, D., Varenne, A., Herry, F., Hérault, F., Allais, S., Burlot, T. and Le Roy P. (2019) Ability of genomic evaluation for egg quality traits in layers. BMC 
Genetics, in revision.
Wei, M. (1992) Combined crossbred and purebred selection in animal breeding. Ph. D. Thesis, Wageningen University, Netherlands. 
Wei, M. and Steen, H.A.M (1991) Comparison of reciprocal recurrent selection with pure-line selection systems in animal breeding. Animal Breeding Abstracts 
59: 281-298.
Wei, M. and van der Werf, J.H.J. (1994) Maximizing genetic response in crossbreds using both purebred and crossbred information. Animal Production 59: 401-
413. 
 
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Figure 1 Accuracy gain between EBVs andGEBVs resulting from bi-trait 
evaluations.
Figure 2 Accuracy gain between uni-trait PB evaluation and bi-trait 
PB&CB evaluation.


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Letter from Sarah Forrer, Dayton, OH to Augusta Bruen, 1862 July 6

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