Additive Genetic Model with Groups and Relationships

Abstract

From simple genetic assumptions, matrix expressions are derived for the first and second moments of a random vector of breeding values. Emphasis is on structure in these matrix representations that can be exploited computationally in a mixed model analysis. Also derived are mixed model equations corresponding to a model in which the random vector has nonnull mean. These equations are particularly advantageous for fitting a particular kind of animal model with groups and relationships.