Including coefficients of inbreeding in BLUP evaluation and its effect on response to selection

Stochastic simulation was used to study the effect on selection response of accounting for inbreeding versus ignoring it in the construction of the in verse of the relationship matrix used In mixed model equations (MME) to obt ain BLUP of breeding values. Three different heritabilities of 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 and two different family structures were used. Selection of replac ement animals was based on best linear unbiased predictors(BLUP) of breedin g values using an animal model. Average inbreeding coefficients (F) were in the range of 0.4-0.5 after 11 generations of selection. Even with such inb reeding levels, no significant differences in selection responses were foun d between accounting or ignoring F in MME construction over the range of he ritabilities and family structures.