Assessing pig genetic diversity

Publication date: 07/05/2025
Extent: 16 pages

Contributions by: R. Bozzi, F. Tiezzi and M.C. Fabbri, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

Chapter synopsis:

The preservation of genetic diversity is particularly important because human selection processes have resulted in a small number of commercial breeds and a large number of small, residual populations. This chapter looks at ways of analyzing pig genetic diversity. It then reviews what these techniques show about the current state of genetic diversity in traditional, local breeds. As the chapter suggests, optimal contribution selection (OCS), genomic selection (GS), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques represent valid strategies for maintaining genetic diversity. In the future, strategies in swine epigenomics and microbiomics will play an important role, especially in improving animal resilience.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2024.0137.01