The concepts of veterinary genetics are crucial to understanding and controlling many diseases and disorders in animals.  They are also crucial to enhancing animal production. Accessible and clearly presented, Introduction to Veterinary Genetics provides a succinct introduction to the aspects of genetics relevant to animal diseases and production. Now in its third edition, this is the only introductory level textbook on genetics that has been written specifically for veterinary and animal science students. Coverage includes: basic genetics, molecular biology, genomics, cytogenetics, immunogenetics, population genetics, quantitative genetics, biotechnology, and the use of molecular tools in the control of inherited disorders.  This book describes in detail how genetics is being applied to artificial selection in animal production.   It also covers the conservation of genetic diversity in both domesticated and wild animals. New for the Third Edition: End-of-chapter summaries provide quick recaps. Covers new topics: epigenetics, genomics and bioinformatics. Thoroughly revised according to recent advances in genetics. Introduction to Veterinary Genetics is still the only introductory genetics textbook for students of veterinary and animal science and will continue to be an indispensable reference tool for veterinary students and practitioners alike.

Table of Contents:
Preface x 1 Basic genetics 1 Chromosomes 1 Meiosis and mitosis 4 The biochemistry of inheritance 11 What is a gene? 18 Gene regulation 22 Mutation 23 Genes, alleles, and loci 24 Simple or Mendelian inheritance 25 Linkage 27 Inactivation 32 Types of DNA 35 Further reading 38 Appendix 1.1 Banded karyotypes of domestic species 39 2 Molecular biology 46 Restriction enzymes 46 Recombinant DNA and DNA cloning 49 Complementary DNA 51 DNA sequencing 53 Polymerase chain reaction 55 Southern analysis and related technologies 58 DNA expression microarrays 58 The detection of variation in base sequence 60 Veterinary diagnosis 63 Variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), DNA fingerprints, and microsatellites 64 Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 68 Copy number variation (CNV) 69 Gene mapping 70 Whole-genome sequence assembly 74 Production of polypeptide from cloned DNA 76 Transgenesis 77 Antisense technology 80 RNA interference 81 Further reading 84 3 Single-gene disorders 85 Inborn errors of metabolism 85 Sex-limited inheritance 87 Genetic heterogeneity of disease 88 Type of gene action and type of disease 90 Phenocopies 91 A sample of single-gene disorders 92 A revolution in mapping and identifying the causal mutation of single-gene disorders 96 Further reading 98 Appendix 3.1 A sample of single-gene traits that have been characterized at the molecular level 98 4 Chromosomal aberrations 103 Abnormal chromosome number 103 Abnormal chromosome structure 107 Chromosomal aberrations in cancer 112 Evolution of karyotypes 113 Interspecific hybridization 113 Freemartins 114 Biological basis of sex 115 Classification of intersex 116 A sample of chromosomal aberrations 117 Further reading 119 Appendix 4.1 A sample of chromosomal aberrations in animals 119 5 Single genes in populations 121 Gene and genotype frequencies 121 Random mating 122 The Hardy–Weinberg law 123 Extensions to the Hardy–Weinberg law 125 Selection and mutation 127 Genetic drift and the founder effect 133 Extending population genetics to more than one locus 134 Further reading 137 6 Familial disorders not due to a single gene 139 Liability and threshold 139 The multifactorial model 139 More than one threshold 141 Some final points 143 Further reading 149 7 Is it inherited? 150 General evidence for a genetic aetiology 150 The four types of simple, Mendelian inheritance 151 Studying and analysing the data 153 Further reading 157 8 Immunogenetics 158 Antibodies 159 Red-cell antigens 160 The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) 163 Further reading 171 9 Pharmacogenetics 172 Genetic polymorphisms affecting drug metabolism 172 Genetics and anaesthesia 173 Warfarin resistance 174 Multifactorial pharmacogenetics 175 Further reading 178 10 Hosts, parasites, and pathogens 179 Host–pathogen interactions 179 Resistance in hosts 183 Resistance in parasites and pathogens 184 Control of parasites and pathogens 188 Increasing the level of resistance in hosts 190 Further reading 193 11 Single genes in animal breeding 195 Coat colour 195 Examples of coat-colour genes 195 Carpet wool 200 Prolificacy in sheep 200 Polledness 201 Muscular hypertrophy in cattle and sheep 201 Dwarf poultry 202 Genes for sexing chickens 202 Pedigree checking 204 Further reading 206 12 Relationship and inbreeding 207 The inbreeding coefficient 207 Relationship 208 The inbreeding coefficient revisited 209 A general expression for relationship and inbreeding 210 The base population 211 Inbreeding in populations 212 Inbreeding depression 212 Further reading 215 13 Quantitative variation 216 Quantitative traits 216 The performance of an individual animal 218 The differences between animals 220 Heritability 221 Correlations between traits 224 Quantitative trait loci (QTL) 224 Further reading 228 14 Selection between populations 230 Comparison between populations 230 Genotype–environment interaction 232 Further reading 234 15 Selection within populations 235 Estimated breeding values and accuracy of selection 235 Clues to a candidate’s breeding value for a trait 236 Combining clues from more than one source 236 Best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) 238 Correlated traits 239 Selection for more than one trait 240 The importance of inbreeding and genetic drift 242 Sire-reference schemes 243 Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genome-wide selection (GWS) 244 Further reading 247 16 Breed structure 249 The traditional pyramid 249 Closed-nucleus breeding schemes 249 Open-nucleus breeding schemes 250 Information nucleus 252 Further reading 253 17 Crossing 254 Regular crossing 254 Crossing to produce a synthetic 260 Grading-up 261 Further reading 265 18 Selection and regular crossing 267 Selection 267 Selection and regular crossing 267 Further reading 269 19 Biotechnology and the future 270 Artificial insemination (AI) 270 Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) 271 In vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of ova 272 Control of sex ratio 273 Recombinant proteins 273 Transgenesis 274 Animal cloning 275 Further reading 279 20 Conservation genetics 280 Measurement of genetic diversity within populations 280 Measurement of genetic diversity among populations 282 Importance of genetic diversity 283 Loss of genetic diversity 284 Conservation of genetic diversity 286 Further reading 289 21 Genetic and environmental control of inherited disorders 291 Environmental control of inherited disorders 291 Genetic control of single-gene disorders 294 Gene therapy 300 Genetic control of multifactorial disorders 300 Genetic control – some final points 302 Crossing: thinking outside the square 304 Further reading 306 Glossary 307 Index 310