Abstract
This paper reviews some methods for major gene detection in animal populations using phenotypic and genetic relationship (pedigree) information only. The key methods are regression (eg. Findgene) and Gibbs sampling. Both methods use segregation analysis and a mixed linear model fitting the major gene effects and probabilities, polygenic effects and the fixed environmental effects in the analysis of one quantitative trait. Segregation analysis by peeling gives probability for each genotype configuration for each individual, conditional on phenotypic information and genetic relationships in pedigreed data sets across the population. The limitations and advantages of this method compared to quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection with molecular markers are analysed. The use of this methods in the design of more efficient genome screening studies for QTL detection are discussed.
