基因组选择是一种利用高密度芯片全部位点与目的基因存在的连锁不平衡估计基因组育种值的方法,目前已相继在英国、法国、澳大利亚和新西兰等国家的畜禽育种中得到应用并有效提升了育种效率。在我国,基因组选择已在奶牛、生猪和肉鸡的育种中开始应用并取得了一定的成效。我国是世界养羊大国,但在羊的养殖管理、育种水平以及生产效率等方面依旧与发达国家存在较大差距。目前,已有育种工作者尝试对绵羊开展基因组选择育种研究,但至今尚未有比较系统的应用案例。基于绵羊育种基础薄弱的现状,开展基因组选择对我国肉羊产业发展具有重要作用。本文综述了畜禽基因组选择的研究进展及其在绵羊育种中的应用,并对该技术在今后绵羊生产中的指导作用进行了展望。

Genome selection is a method for estimating genomic breeding values using linkage disequilibrium between all sites of high-density chips and target genes. Genome selection has been applied to enhance livestock breeding efficiency in countries such as UK, France, Australia and New Zealand. In China, this technique has been successfully practiced in dairy cattle, swine, and broiler, and achievedsignificant progress. China raises the majority of sheep throughout the world. However, a large technological gap in sheep breeding and production efficiency exists between China and other developed countries. Some breeders have attempted to use genome selection in sheep breeding; however, there are no good cases till now. Based on the current level of animal breeding, the genome selection method should play an important role in the future of the meat sheep industry. In this review, we summarize the research of genome selection in livestock and poultry as well as some applications in sheep breeding. We also describe the prospects for the future application of this technology to improve the efficiency, quality and outcomes of sheep production.