The probabilistic determination of identity-by-descent sharing for pairs of relatives from pedigrees

Abstract

Methods for detecting genetic linkage are more powerful when they fully use all of the data collected from pedigrees. We first discuss a method for obtaining the probability that a pedigree member has a given genotype, conditional on the phenotypes of his relatives. We then develop a rapid method to obtain the conditional probabilities of identity-by-descent sharing of marker alleles for all related pairs of individuals from extended pedigrees. The method assumes that the individuals are noninbred and that the relationship between genotype and phenotype is known for the marker locus studied. The probabilities of identity-by-descent sharing among relative pairs, conditional on marker phenotype information, can then be used in any of the model free tests for linkage between a trait locus and a marker locus.