title: Evaluation of the efficiency of artificial neural networks for genetic value prediction.
abstract: Artificial neural networks have shown great potential when applied to breeding programs. In this study, we propose the use of artificial neural networks as a viable alternative to conventional prediction methods. We conduct a thorough evaluation of the efficiency of these networks with respect to the prediction of breeding values. Therefore, we considered eight simulated scenarios, and for the purpose of genetic value prediction, seven statistical parameters in addition to the phenotypic mean in a network designed as a multilayer perceptron. After an evaluation of different network configurations, the results demonstrated the superiority of neural networks compared to estimation procedures based on linear models, and indicated high predictive accuracy and network efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.|Laboratório de Bioinformática, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia Agronômica, ]Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Dracena, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tomaz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Viçosa Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.|Laboratório de Bioinformática, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Sant'Anna
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Viçosa Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.|Laboratório de Bioinformática, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: V Q
authors.initials: VQ
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Viçosa Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.|Laboratório de Bioinformática, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.|Laboratório de Bioinformática, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding / Q000379:methods; D056084:Genetic Fitness; D005838:Genotype; D008957:Models, Genetic; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D010641:Phenotype; D012641:Selection, Genetic