Short communication ADAM: A computer program to simulate selective breeding schemes for animals L.D. Pedersen a,b,c, ⁎, A.C. Sørensen a, ⁎, M. Henryon a , S. Ansari-Mahyari a,b,d , P. Berg a a Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, Blichers Allé 20, P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark b Department of Large Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Højbakkegård Allé 5, DK-2630 Tåstrup, Denmark c AgroTech. Udkærsvej 15, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark d Department of Genomics, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran article info abstract Article history: Received 26 September 2007 Received in revised form 1 April 2008 Accepted 27 June 2008 ADAM is a computer program that models selective breeding schemes for animals using stochastic simulation. The program simulates a population of animals and traces the genetic changes in the population under different selective breeding scenarios. It caters to different population structures, genetic models, selection strategies, and mating designs. ADAM can be used to evaluate breeding schemes and generate genetic data to test statistical tools. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Computer program Stochastic simulation Selective breeding schemes ADAM has five major benefits when evaluating breeding schemes. First, it uses stochastic simulation, which is an ac- curate method when modelling complex breeding schemes. Second, it allows a plethora of breeding schemes to be eval- uated. Third, ADAM uses new methods, such as marker and gene-assisted selection, selective genotyping (Ansari-Mahyari et al., 2008), MOET, and sexed semen. Fourth, ADAM allows new technologies and techniques to be tested under different breeding scenarios. Finally, the program can be easily ex- panded to include new methods and strategies because it has a modular design. To the best of our knowledge ADAM is the first program with such generality. ADAM uses a set of user-defined parameters to specify the base population, genetic model, population structure, and selection and mating decisions when simulating breeding schemes. Base population and genetic model. The program generates a base population and simulates descendant generations through a series of time steps. The genetic model of the base population underlines the genetic makeup of the descendant generations. The model for single and multiple traits is based on one of the following: a) infinitesimal model, mimicking a polygenic makeup, b) finite-locus model, mimicking individual genes and/or gen- etic markers, and c) mixed-inheritance model, combining the infinitesimal and finite-locus models. Population structure. The user-defined parameters spe- cify the reproductive and life-cycle characteristics of the population. Such characteristics include the reproductive age of the animals, the age when traits are realised, the availability of germ plasm, and the number of herds in the population. Selection and mating decisions. Selection and mating is carried out in each time step. Selection is carried out on single or multiple traits by random, truncation, or optimum con- tribution selection. Truncation and optimum contribution selection are based on one of the following criteria: a) phenotype, b) BLUP (best linear unbiased prediction based on phenotype and pedigree information), Livestock Science 121 (2009) 343–344 ⁎ Corresponding authors. Sørensen is to be contacted at Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, Blichers Allé 20, P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. Tel.: +45 89991321; fax: +45 89991300. Pedersen, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, Blichers Allé 20, P.O. Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. Tel.: +45 89991660; fax: +45 89991300. E-mail addresses: Louise.DybdahlPedersen@agrsci.dk (L.D. Pedersen), AndersC.Sorensen@agrsci.dk (A.C. Sørensen). 1871-1413/$ – see front matter © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2008.06.028 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Livestock Science journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/livsci