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Even though there are computer programs, which will calculate the inbreeding coefficient automatically, based on pedigrees entered into a database, it is still handy to be able to calculate the inbreeding in less complicated pedigrees manually. Here is a short description on how to calculate the inbreeding coefficient from a pedigree by using the path coefficient method.
In the arrow pedigree we search all paths that go from one parent to the other without passing any individual more than once. For each path we count the number of individuals involved. The contribution from each path to the inbreeding coefficient is 1/2 raised to the number of individuals involved in the path. From the arrow pedigree in example 1 we then get two paths from one parent to the other: CAD -> (1/2) = 1 / (2 x 2 x 2) = 1/8 CBD -> (1/2) = 1 / (2 x 2 x 2) = 1/8 The inbreeding = 1/8 + 1/8 = 1/4 = 0.25 = 25%
If the common ancestor, i.e. where the path turns and goes downwards again, is inbred we have to take that into account. (For the two paths in the example above the common ancestors, A and B respectively, are underlined.) Calculate the inbreeding coefficient for the inbred common ancestor by using the path coefficient method. Add 1 to this inbreeding coefficient and multiply with the contribution given by the path in question. So if the number of individuals along a path is n, and the inbreeding coefficient for the common ancestor is F, the total contribution to the inbreeding coefficient will be (1/2)^n x (1+F).
The sum of the contributions of all the paths will then be the inbreeding coefficient.
Example 2
The existing paths are BDC, BDFEC, BEFDC, BDEC, BEDC, BEC. The common ancestor D is inbred and the arrow pedigree for him looks like this:
The inbreeding in D is then (1/2) = 1/4. The contribution to the inbreeding coefficient from each path will then be: Path BDC BDFEC BEFDC BDEC BEDC n 3 5 5 4 4 F 1/4 0 0 0 0 (1/2)^n x (1+F) (1/2) x (1+1/4) = 1/8 x 5/4 = 5/32 (1/2)^5 x (1+0) = 1/32 (1/2)^5 x (1+0) = 1/32 (1/2)^4 x (1+0) = 1/16 (1/2)^4 x (1+0) = 1/16 total = 0.15625 = 0.03125 = 0.03125 = 0.0625 = 0.0625
BEC
3 0
= 0.125
OK, it took a lot of effort and money to make this so called isogene line, and many cats died on the way. But if we now finally have reached to this point, then we have a line that is 100% healthy from a genetic point of view! Yippeeee!!! It is possible, this can be done, if you are careful not to let the level of homozygosity increase more quickly than you manage to weed out the bad genes. This has been done with mice that are to be used for scientific tests. It works very well! But... they only manage to get about one line out of twenty to survive. The other 19 lines are dying in the process. Maybe better not to take that chance? Also, the immune system is not very good in homozygous individuals. The immune system works much better if the loci involved are heterozygous, since this gives the individual the possibility to develop more DIFFERENT kinds of antibodies, not just lots of antibodies of the SAME kind. This is not a major problem in laboratory mice, since their environment is quite protected from (undesired) contagious diseases, and since it isn't exactly considered to be a tragedy, unfortunately, if a laboratory mouse dies. If on the other hand a much loved pet cat and family member dies it is indeed very sad. Hmmm... Perhaps not such a good idea after all?! On top of that mutations happen spontaniously and would with time destroy our fine genotype. You have to count on one or two new mutations in every individual. I think we had better change our strategy!