Sire Evaluation of Count Traits with a Poisson-Gamma Hierarchical Generalized Linear Model

A Poisson error model as a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) has been suggested for genetic analysis of counted observations. One of the assumptions in this model is the normality for random effects. Since this assumption is not always appropriate, a more flexible model is needed. For count traits, a Poisson hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM) that does not require the normality for random effects was proposed. In this paper, a Poisson-Gamma HGLM was examined along with corresponding analytical methods. While a difficulty arises with Poisson GLMM in making inferences to the expected values of observations, it can be avoided with the Poisson-Gamma HGLM. A numerical example with simulated embryo yield data is presented.