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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Being fruitful: genetics of reproduction in Arabidopsis.

Reproduction in flowering plants requires a series of interactions between the haploid and diploid phases of the life cycle of the plant. Mutations that affect these interactions have been identified in Arabidopsis, thus giving insight into the processes of gamete development and pollination. These studies promise to yield new information on diverse topics in plant biology, from cell-cell recognition to the evolution of mating interactions.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed1980

Fraternity size and swine reproduction. II. Genetical consequences.

A model for swine fecundity that includes the effect of fraternity size is given. Over a range of plausible values for the parameters of the model, the dam-daughter correlation for number born tended to be negative. Thus, selection of replacement gilts born and reared in large litters would not bring about desirable genetic changes in litter size.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Genetic variation in male effects on female reproduction and the genetic covariance between the sexes.

Males of many insect species increase the fecundity and/or egg size of their mates through the amount or composition of their nuptial gifts or ejaculate. The genetic bases of such male effects on fecundity or egg size are generally unknown, and thus their ability to evolve remains speculative. Likewise, the genetic relationship between male and female investment into reproduction in dioecious species, which is expected to be positive if effects on fecundity are controlled by at least some of the same genes in males and females, is also unknown. Males of the seed beetle Stator limbatus contribute large ejaculates to females during mating, and the amount of donated ejaculate is positively correlated with male body mass. Females mated to large males lay more eggs in their lifetime than females mated to small males. We describe an experiment in which we quantify genetic variation in the number of eggs sired by males (mated to a single female) and found that a significant proportion of the phenotypic variance in the number of eggs sired by males was explained by their genotype. Additionally, the number of eggs sired by a male was highly positively genetically correlated with his body mass. The between-sex genetic correlation, that is, the genetic correlation between the number of eggs sired by males and the number of eggs laid by females, was highly positive when eggs were laid on Acacia greggii seeds. This indicates that males that sire many eggs have sisters that lay many eggs. Thus, some of the genes that control male ejaculate size (or some other fecundity-enhancing factor) when expressed in males appear to control fecundity when expressed in females. We found no significant interaction between male and female genotype on fecundity.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The effect of synchronization on genetic parameters of reproductive traits in dairy cattle.

Genetic evaluation and selection is one strategy for improving female reproductive performance. Many producers use synchronization of ovulation or estrus to manage reproduction. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of reproductive synchronization on genetic parameter estimates of days to first breeding (DFB), days open (DO), and pregnancy rate at 120 d postpartum (PR120). Data were collected from 64 producers participating in an artificial insemination progeny testing program and using Dairy Comp 305 herd management software to record reproductive treatments and events. Data included 18,359 records for DFB and 16,379 records for DO and PR120. Synchronization was classified by breeding codes at time of insemination. The traits DFB and DO were analyzed using a linear model with age at calving, herd-year-season, and parity as fixed effects and sire and residual as random effects. For PR120, a threshold sire model was used with fixed effects as in the DFB and DO models. Three models were applied to the complete data sets of all traits; a base model with no synchronization effect, an expanded model with a fixed synchronization effect, and an interaction model with a random sire by herd management interaction. Herd management categories were based on an individual herd's use of synchronization protocols. Also, data subsets were analyzed separately based on cow synchronization treatment and herd management categories. Synchronized records for DFB had on average 40% higher sire variance and 60% lower residual variance than nonsynchronized records. Heritability for DFB ranged from 0.01 to 0.09. Sire variance was 40% lower for DO and 25% lower for PR120 in first synchronized records than either later-synchronized or nonsynchronized records. Residual variances for DO varied by 3% among cow treatment categories and 14% for herd management categories. Heritabilities ranged from 0.03 to 0.07 for DO and 0.10 to 0.26 for PR120. Including a fixed effect for synchronization in the DO model reduced sire variance by 33% and residual variance by 10%. Sire by herd management interactions were less than 2% of the total variance for all traits. Accounting for synchronization, especially for DFB, may improve accuracy of genetic parameter estimates and animal evaluations.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Genetic divergence and reproductive isolation in the Ochthebius (Calobius) complex (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae).

The reproductive isolation in hydrenid beetles of the Ochthebius complex was studied by analysing gene exchange in natural populations of O. quadricollis, Ochthebius sp. A and O. brevicollis steinbuehleri collected along the Mediterranean coasts. The ranges of these three species are largely allopatric, but sympatric areas were detected between contiguous taxa, ie, O. quadricollis and Ochthebius sp. A; Ochthebius sp. A and O. b. steinbuehleri. Three levels of reproductive isolation and genetic divergence were observed. One level involves extensive intraspecific genetic divergence within the biological species O. quadricollis, Ochthebius sp. A and O. brevicollis, associated with both physical barriers (eg, sea and sand stretches) and the low dispersal capacity of larvae and adults. The finding of transitional samples between the most differentiated population groups should indicate, however, that there is still some gene flow between the populations of the three taxa. Another level is found between Ochthebius sp. A and O. b. steinbuehleri, whose gene pools appear to be fairly distinct in spite of the fact that reproductive isolation is still incomplete: in their few syntopic sites, some F1 hybrids appeared indeed to have lower fitness, since backcrosses or recombinant genotypes were never observed. The final level in the evolution of reproductive isolation (full reproductive isolation) has been achieved by the species O. quadricollis and Ochthebius sp. A. No F1 or F(n) hybrids, nor backcrosses were found in their sympatric areas. The relative importance of ecological factors and evolutionary forces in the prevention of gene exchange between taxa are discussed.

Alleles↗
PubMed1990

Model identifying the reproductive decision after genetic counseling.

To assess the identifiability of reproductive planning after genetic counseling, a model was designed to study 8 relevant factors influencing reproductive decisions after genetic counseling. Altogether, 164 couples were interviewed at home 2 to 3 years after genetic counseling. The factors were arranged in a flow chart distinguishing 3 groups: reproductive outcome prior to genetic counseling, desire to have children, and interpretation of information gained from genetic counseling. The model based upon these retrospective data showed that reproductive decisions were identified correctly in 91% of the cases. The model consisted of 8 factors and documented the urgency of the desire to have children and the interpretation of the genetic risk. In addition, linear discriminant analysis of the 8 relevant factors enabled identification of the reproductive decision in 96% of the cases. This model may prove helpful to counselors and counselees by showing what other couples have decided in comparable circumstances and for which reasons.

Discriminant Analysis↗
PubMed1997

Dynamics of the emergence of genetic resistance to biocides among asexual and sexual organisms.

A stochastic, agent based, evolutionary algorithm, modeling mating, reproduction, genetic variation, phenotypic expression and selection was used to study the dynamic interactions affecting a multiple-gene system. The results suggest that strong irreversible constraints affect the evolution of resistance to biocides. Resistant genes evolve differently in asexual organisms compared with sexual ones in response to various patterns of biocide applications. Asexual populations (viruses and bacteria) are less likely to develop genetic resistance in response to multiple pesticides or if pesticides are used at low doses, whereas sexual populations (insects for example) are more likely to become resistant to pesticides if susceptibility to the pesticide relates to mate selection. The adaptation of genes not related to the emergence of resistance will affect the dynamics of the evolution of resistance. Increasing the number of pesticides reduces the probability of developing resistance to any of them in asexual organisms but much less so in sexual organisms. Sequential applications of toxins, were slightly less efficient in slowing emergence of resistance compared with simultaneous application of a mix in both sexual and asexual organisms. Targeting only one sex of the pest speeds the development of resistance. The findings are consistent to most of the published analytical models but are closer to known experimental results, showing that nonlinear, agent based simulation models are more powerful in explaining complex processes.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1999

Three-dimensional partial zona dissection for preimplantation genetic diagnosis and assisted hatching.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new approach to partial zona dissection of oocytes and embryos for facilitating preimplantation genetic sampling and assisted hatching. DESIGN: Controlled clinical study. SETTING: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis and IVF program, Reproductive Genetics Institute/IVF Illinois, Chicago, Illinois. PATIENT(S): Three hundred forty patients undergoing IVF in whom preimplantation genetic diagnosis or assisted hatching was required. INTERVENTION(S): Three-dimensional partial zona dissection and conventional partial zona dissection were performed, with the use of a simple microneedle, on embryos before preimplantation genetic sampling or on day 3 of embryo development before ET. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rate, implantation rate, and ease of preimplantation genetic sampling. RESULT(S): A pregnancy rate of 42% and an embryo implantation rate of 17.6% were obtained in the group in which three-dimensional partial zona dissection was performed, compared with a pregnancy rate of 33% and an implantation rate of 14.7% in the control group, which underwent conventional partial zona dissection. Preimplantation genetic sampling can be performed without distortion of the blastomere configuration in the embryo. CONCLUSION(S): Three-dimensional partial zona dissection is a safe and simple mechanical means of creating an opening sufficient for the atraumatic removal of material from oocytes and embryos for preimplantation genetic diagnosis and assisted hatching.

Dissection↗
PubMed1999

A simplified and efficient method for obtaining metaphase chromosomes from individual human blastomeres.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable and cost-effective technique for karyotyping single human blastomeres for preimplantation diagnosis of chromosomal translocations. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis and IVF program, Reproductive Genetics Institute/IVF Illinois, Chicago, Illinois. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing IVF and preimplantation genetic diagnosis. INTERVENTION(S): Individual human blastomeres were fused with enucleated or intact mouse zygotes. After blastomere-cytoplast fusion, heterokaryons were fixed at metaphase of the first cleavage division or treated with okadaic acid to induce premature chromosome condensation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Percentage of analyzable metaphase plates and ease and reliability of the procedure. RESULT(S): The effectiveness of the proposed technique with blastomeres from day 3 diploid embryos was 91%. Sixty-three metaphases were obtained from 69 blastomeres; 3 blastomeres had not fused, 1 heterokaryon had no chromatin (an anucleated cytoplasmic bleb was biopsied and fused), and 2 heterokaryons cleaved before they were fixed. CONCLUSION(S): Human blastomere fusion with an intact mouse zygote is an efficient and technically undemanding method for obtaining metaphase chromosome plates from individual human blastomeres for preimplantation testing for chromosomal translocations and aneuploidy.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Estimates of genetic parameters and genetic change for reproduction, weight, and wool characteristics of Columbia sheep.

Genetic parameters from both single-trait and bivariate analyses for prolificacy, weight and wool traits were estimated using REML with animal models for Columbia sheep from data collected from 1950 to 1998 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (USSES), Dubois, ID. Breeding values from both single-trait and seven-trait analyses calculated using the parameters estimated from the single-trait and bivariate analyses were compared with respect to genetic trends. Number of observations were 31,401 for litter size at birth and litter size at weaning, 24,741 for birth weight, 23,903 for weaning weight, 29,572 for fleece weight and fleece grade, and 2,449 for staple length. Direct heritability estimates from single-trait analyses were 0.09 for litter size at birth, 0.06 for litter size at weaning, 0.27 for birth weight, 0.16 for weaning weight, 0.53 for fleece weight, 0.41 for fleece grade, and 0.55 for staple length. Estimate of direct genetic correlation between littersize at birth and weaning was 0.84 and between birth and weaning weights was 0.56. Estimate of genetic correlation between fleece weight and staple length was positive (0.55) but negative between fleece weight and fleece grade (-0.47) and between staple length and fleece grade (-0.70). Estimates of genetic correlations were positive but small between birth weight and litter size traits and moderate and positive between weaning weight and litter size traits. Fleece weight was lowly and negatively correlated with both litter size traits. Fleece grade was lowly and positively correlated with both litter size traits, while staple length was lowly and negatively correlated with the litter size traits. Estimates of correlations between weight traits and fleece weight were positive and low to moderate. Estimates of correlations between weight traits and fleece grade were negative and small. Estimates of correlations between staple length and birth weight (0.05) and weaning weight were small (-0.04). Estimated breeding values averaged by year of birth from both the single-trait and multiple-trait analyses for the prolificacy and weight traits increased over time, but were unchanged for the wool traits. Estimated changes in breeding values over time did not differ substantially for single-trait and multiple-trait analyses, except for traits highly correlated with another trait that was responding to selection.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Genetic correlations between reproduction and production traits in swine.

Genetic correlations between reproduction and production traits were estimated in swine. Reproduction traits investigated were age at first service (AFS), number of live-born piglets in the first litter (NBA1), interval from weaning to first service after first litter (WTS1), number of live-born piglets in the second litter (NBA2), and interval from weaning to first service after the second litter (WTS2). Females generating the data were Norwegian Landrace born in nucleus herds between 1990 and 2000, and the number of records ranged from 13,792 to 56,932. Genetic correlations were estimated among the main production traits in the breeding goal: adjusted age at 100 kg live weight (A100), percentage of lean meat content (LMC), individual feed consumption from 25 to 100 kg (FC), and bacon side quality (BSQ). Average adjusted backfat thickness (BF) was included as a production trait. The A100 and BF traits were recorded on gilts on-farm with 190,454 records, whereas LMC, BSQ, and FC were recorded on-station with the number of records ranging from 12,487 to 12,992. Analyses were carried out with a multivariate animal model using average information restricted maximum likelihood procedures by first running each reproduction trait with A100 and BF, followed by each reproduction trait with LMC, BSQ, and FC. Average heritabilities for reproduction traits were as follows: AFS (0.38), NBA1 (0.11), WTS1 (0.06), NBA2 (0.12), and WTS2 (0.03); and for production traits: A100 (0.30), BF (0.44), FC (0.22), LMC (0.58), and BSQ (0.23). The highest genetic correlation was estimated between A100 and AFS (r(g)= 0.68), also resulting in a positive genetic correlation between FC and AFS. Growth (A100) was negatively (i.e., unfavorably) genetically correlated to NBA1 and NBA2 (r(g) = 0.60 and rg = 0.42 respectively), and so the genetic correlation to FC also became unfavorable (r(g)= 0.23 and r(g) = 0.20). Single-trait selection for enhanced LMC would also affect NBA1 and NBA2 unfavorably (r(g)= -0.12 and r(g)= -0.24). Correlations between BF at 100 kg live weight and reproduction traits were close to zero; however, a low genetic correlation between BF and WTS1 was obtained (r(g)= -0.12), indicating that selection toward reduced BF at 100 kg live weight may have an unfavorable impact on WTS1.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Effects of reproductive compensation and genetic drift on X-linked lethals.

A revival of interest in Haldane's equilibrium theory for X-linked lethals has been stimulated by the introduction of accurate tests for the detection of female heterozygotes in Lesch-Nyhan disease. Application of these tests appears to indicate an excess of familial cases. This excess can be attributed to ascertainment bias, a difference in female and male mutation rates, genetic drift, and reproductive compensation. Reproductive compensation will be particularly effective in increasing the proportion of familial cases if (1) birth control is widespread; (2) selection against affected males acts in utero; (3) affected sons show symptoms at an early age; and (4) sons are more highly valued than daughters. We demonstrate how only a few generations of reproductive compensation are sufficient to achieve an approximate equilibrium between selection and mutation showing a high proportion of familial cases. We also discuss the random fluctuations around equilibrium caused by genetic drift.

Contraception↗