The method for rearing an animal according to the present invention includes: grasping a tide-generating force; and feeding, to the animal, foods varying in fat ingredient content according to the variation level of the tide-generating force. In addition, the apparatus for rearing an animal according to the present invention is provided with a food feeding means for feeding, to the animal, foods varying in fat ingredient content according to the variation level of a tide-generating force.

The present disclosure provides a genomic selection (GS) breeding chip of Huaxi cattle and use thereof, and relates to the technical field of molecular breeding. The present disclosure provides a molecular marker combination for whole-genome genotyping of Huaxi cattle, where a genotyping object involves 112,177 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 3 Indels, including seven marker panels in total. In the present disclosure, a genome-wide breeding chip constructed with the molecular marker combination has functional relevance, pertinence and effectiveness, innovation, comprehensiveness, practicality, and cost-effectiveness. This breeding chip also shows uniform distribution of chromosomes in the whole-genome, high coverage, and moderate throughput of markers. This breeding chip has desirable compatibility with existing commercial chips and high cost performance.

The present disclosure provides a genomic selection (GS) breeding chip of Huaxi cattle and use thereof, and relates to the technical field of molecular breeding. The present disclosure provides a molecular marker combination for whole-genome genotyping of Huaxi cattle, where a genotyping object involves 112,177 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 3 Indels, including seven marker panels in total. In the present disclosure, a genome-wide breeding chip constructed with the molecular marker combination has functional relevance, pertinence and effectiveness, innovation, comprehensiveness, practicality, and cost-effectiveness. This breeding chip also shows uniform distribution of chromosomes in the whole-genome, high coverage, and moderate throughput of markers. This breeding chip has desirable compatibility with existing commercial chips and high cost performance.

The present invention discloses a breeding method for obtaining heterosis in lined seahorses, which comprises the following steps: S1, selecting parents of lined seahorse from populations with great differences in genetic background; S2, intensified rearing the parents before pregnancy; S3, matching and breeding the parents of lined seahorse from different geographical populations according to complete diallel cross method; S4, finely nursing pregnant seahorses; S5, respectively collecting all postlarvae (filial generations) hatched by each breeding group in one week; S6, rearing the filial generations; and S7, comparing survival rate and growth performance of filial generations. The present invention, via hybridization of different geographical populations to obtain lined seahorse, makes effective use of heterosis. Survival rate and growth rate of filial generations are apparently enhanced compared to that of those filial generations without hybridization. Such method enhances genetic diversity of lined seahorses and accelerates breeding of fine strain of lined seahorses.

The present invention discloses a breeding method for obtaining heterosis in lined seahorses, which comprises the following steps: S1, selecting parents of lined seahorse from populations with great differences in genetic background; S2, intensified rearing the parents before pregnancy; S3, matching and breeding the parents of lined seahorse from different geographical populations according to complete diallel cross method; S4, finely nursing pregnant seahorses; S5, respectively collecting all postlarvae (filial generations) hatched by each breeding group in one week; S6, rearing the filial generations; and S7, comparing survival rate and growth performance of filial generations. The present invention, via hybridization of different geographical populations to obtain lined seahorse, makes effective use of heterosis. Survival rate and growth rate of filial generations are apparently enhanced compared to that of those filial generations without hybridization. Such method enhances genetic diversity of lined seahorses and accelerates breeding of fine strain of lined seahorses.

A method is provided for determining quality of semen of a vertebrate animal. The method includes the following steps: measuring at least one absorption spectrum of a sample of the semen; selecting a number n of wave numbers .sub.j (j[1;n]) which are characteristic of the semen of the breed or of the species of the animal; determining from the absorption spectrum or spectra of a value of the absorption X.sub.j and/or a value of the second derivative of the absorption X.sub.j.sub.(j[1;n]) for each of the n wave numbers .sub.j (j[1;n]); and calculating a non-return rate Y at a predefined number of days from the absorption values X.sub.j and/or from the second derivative of the absorption X.sub.j previously determined.

A method is provided for determining quality of semen of a vertebrate animal. The method includes the following steps: measuring at least one absorption spectrum of a sample of the semen; selecting a number n of wave numbers .sub.j (j[1;n]) which are characteristic of the semen of the breed or of the species of the animal; determining from the absorption spectrum or spectra of a value of the absorption X.sub.j and/or a value of the second derivative of the absorption X.sub.j.sub.(j[1;n]) for each of the n wave numbers .sub.j (j[1;n]); and calculating a non-return rate Y at a predefined number of days from the absorption values X.sub.j and/or from the second derivative of the absorption X.sub.j previously determined.

Applicants have identified that three critical phenotypic/genetic measures are highly correlated with transition period health and may be used in selection and breeding protocols and/or in combination with traditional breeding and marker assisted selection methods to improve predictability of transition period health. According to the invention genetic evaluations for mastitis, ketosis, and metritis have been found to be highly predictive of overall transition health. The genetic evaluations are produced by directly measuring thousands of clinical cases of mastitis, ketosis, and metritis in ancestors of a particular animal and using this data in selection. Applicant's selection criteria can quickly impact a breeders population by reducing transition cow disease incidence in the initial population and in progeny.

Applicants have identified that three critical phenotypic/genetic measures are highly correlated with transition period health and may be used in selection and breeding protocols and/or in combination with traditional breeding and marker assisted selection methods to improve predictability of transition period health. According to the invention genetic evaluations for mastitis, ketosis, and metritis have been found to be highly predictive of overall transition health. The genetic evaluations are produced by directly measuring thousands of clinical cases of mastitis, ketosis, and metritis in ancestors of a particular animal and using this data in selection. Applicant's selection criteria can quickly impact a breeders population by reducing transition cow disease incidence in the initial population and in progeny.

The present invention provides methods for estimating the breeding value of individuals in populations such as those having small effective population size (Ne) e.g., to identify selection candidates having high breeding values, wherein the methods comprise inferring one or more genotypes for one or more markers at a locus or QTL to be the same as for an ancestor or founder or a subset of ancestors and/or founders from which a corresponding chromosome segment is derived and estimating the breeding value of the individual based on the inferred genotype(s).