Estimating genetic parameters using an animal model with imaginary effects.docVIP

animal model with R K 1 AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Edinburgh Research Station, EH25 9PS; Roslin, Midlothian, Institute of Animal Genetics, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, 2 (Received 8 July 1988; accepted 24 November 1989) Summary - The estimation of additive genetic variance by maximum likelihood is discussed. The extension of reduced animal models, when parents are not inbred to allow the use of existing algorithms for maximum likelihood estimation of additive genetic variance, is described. This involves the introduction of imaginary effects with negative allow the computation to be carried out using only real arithmetic. This method has computational advantages when only a small proportion of animals have offspring. R.ésumé - Estimation de paramètres génétiques selon un modèle animal incluant des effets imaginaires - On discute l’estimation de la variance génétique additive par maximum de vraisemblance. On décrit l’extension des algorithmes disponibles par le maximum de vraisemblance de la variance génétique additive, consanguins. Ceci passe par pas l’introduction d’effets imaginaires, de variance négative, et conduit à des calculs en arithmétique complexe. Des méthodes sont développées pour n’utiliser que l’arithmétique réelle. Cette méthode présente des avantages numériques quand une faible proportion seulement des animaux ont des descendants. où les parents ne sont paramètre génétique / modèle animal / estimation / maximum de vraisemblance Additive genetic variance and heritability have most commonly been estimated in animal breeding data information from collateral relatives, such as half-sibs or full- sibs, or non-collateral relatives, such as parent-offspring. Covariances generated by these relationships provide the most information for estimating additive ge- netic variance. However, there is interest in combining these alternative estimates * Correspondence and reprints  (Nicholas a