Publisher's Synopsis
Genetics is the scientific study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. It comprises the principles and mechanisms by which traits are passed from parents to offspring, the structure and function of genes, and the ways in which genes interact with each other and with the environment to influence traits and behaviors. In livestock, genetics explores the factors that determine susceptibility, resistance, and immunity to various diseases in animals. This is crucial for improving animal welfare, breeding healthier livestock, and developing effective disease prevention and treatment strategies. Additionally, genomic selection techniques enhance the accuracy of breeding decisions by predicting an animal's genetic merit for disease resistance. Genomic technologies, such as next-generation sequencing and genotyping arrays, facilitate the identification of disease-causing mutations and the characterization of genetic pathways involved in disease progression. This book attempts to understand the critical aspects that fall under the discipline of livestock and how such aspects have practical applications. It is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the theory and practice of livestock genetics and health. This textbook will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.
