scholarly journals Genetic parameters between somatic cell score and production traits for Holstein cattle in Southern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-70
Author(s):  
Gabrieli S Romano ◽  
Luis Fernando B Pinto ◽  
Altair A Valloto ◽  
José-Augusto Horst ◽  
Victor B Pedrosa

Background: Somatic cell score is an important parameter to predict milk quality and health of cows. However, in countries like Brazil, this trait is still not selected on a large scale, and no genetic parameters are reported in the literature. Objective: To estimate the variance components and genetic parameters for somatic cell score, milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage in Holstein cows. Methods: Records from 56,718 animals were used to estimate variance components, heritability, and genetic correlations using a multi-trait animal model by the REML method. Results: The heritability estimates were 0.19 for somatic cell score, 0.22 for milk yield, 0.26 for fat yield, 0.18 for protein yield, 0.61 for fat percentage, and 0.65 for protein percentage. The estimates of genetic correlations among analyzed traits ranged from -0.50 to 0.82. Conclusion: The low heritability observed for somatic cell score indicates that selection for this trait should result in benefits related to animal health and milk quality, but only in the long term. The low correlation between productive traits and somatic cell score indicates that inclusion of somatic cell score in animal breeding programs does not interfere negatively with the genetic selection for milk yield or solids.Keywords: Holstein; genetic correlation; genetic parameters; heritability; mastitis; milk quality; milk yield; multi-trait model; somatic cell score; variance components.  Resumen Antecedentes: El conteo de células somáticas es un parámetro importante para predecir la calidad de la leche y la salud de las vacas. Sin embargo, en países como Brasil, esta característica aún no se selecciona a gran escala y no se reportan parámetros genéticos en la literatura. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de varianza y parámetros genéticos para el conteo de células somáticas, producción de leche, producción de grasa, producción de proteína, porcentaje de grasa y porcentaje de proteína en vacas de la raza Holstein. Métodos: Se usaron registros de 56.718 animales para estimar los componentes de la varianza, heredabilidad y correlaciones genéticas usando un modelo animal multicaracterístico por medio del método REML. Resultados: Las estimaciones de heredabilidad fueron 0,19 para el conteo de células somáticas, 0,22 para la producción de leche, 0,26 para la producción de grasa, 0,18 para producción de proteína, 0,61 para el porcentaje de grasa y 0,65 para el porcentaje de proteína. Las estimaciones de correlación genética entre las características analizadas variaron entre -0,50 a 0,82. Conclusión: La baja heredabilidad encontrada para conteo de células somáticas demostró que la selección para esta característica podría resultar en beneficios para la salud animal y calidad de la leche, pero sólo a largo plazo. La baja correlación genética existente entre las características productivas y el conteo de células somáticas indica que la inclusión del conteo de células somáticas en programas de selección no interfiere negativamente en la selección genética para la producción de leche o sólidos.Palabras clave: calidad de leche; correlación genética; conteo de células somáticas; componentes de varianza; heredabilidad; Holstein; mastitis; modelo multicaracteristico; parametros geneticos; producción de leche; selección genetica. Resumo Antecedentes: O escore de células somáticas é um parâmetro importante para a predição da qualidade do leite, bem como para a saúde das vacas. No entanto, em alguns países como o Brasil, essa característica não é selecionada em larga escala e não há parâmetros genéticos disponíveis na literatura. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos para o escore de células somáticas, produção de leite, produção de gordura, produção de proteína, porcentagem de gordura e porcentagem de proteína em vacas da raça Holandesa. Métodos: Foi utilizado um total de 56.718 animais para estimar os componentes de variância, herdabilidade e correlações genéticas, considerando-se o modelo animal multicaracterística por meio do método REML. Resultados: As estimativas de herdabilidade foram de 0,19 para o escore de células somáticas, 0,22 para a produção de leite, 0,26 para a produção de gordura, 0,18 para produção de proteína, 0,61 para a porcentagem de gordura e 0,65 para a porcentagem de proteína. As estimativas de correlação genética entre as características analisadas variaram entre -0,50 a 0,82. Conclusão: A baixa herdabilidade encontrada para o escore de células somáticas demonstrou que a seleção para esta característica poderá resultar em benefícios para a saúde animal e qualidade do leite, porém, somente a longo prazo. A baixa correlação genética existente entre as características produtivas e o escore de células somáticas demonstrou que a inclusão do escore de células somáticas em programas de seleção não causa interferência negativa na seleção genética para a produção de leite ou sólidos.Palavras-chave: componentes de variância; correlação genéticas; escore de células somáticas; herdabilidade; mastite; modelo multicaracterística; parâmetros genéticos; produção de leite; qualidade do leite; raça Holandesa; seleção genética.

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2271
Author(s):  
Francesco Tiezzi ◽  
Antonio Marco Maisano ◽  
Stefania Chessa ◽  
Mario Luini ◽  
Stefano Biffani

In spite of the impressive advancements observed on both management and genetic factors, udder health still represents one of most demanding objectives to be attained in the dairy cattle industry. Udder morphology and especially teat condition might represent the first physical barrier to pathogens’ access. The objectives of this study were to investigate the genetic component of teat condition and to elucidate its relationship with both milk yield and somatic cell scores in dairy cattle. Moreover, the effect of selection for both milk yield and somatic cell scores on teat condition was also investigated. A multivariate analysis was conducted on 10,776 teat score records and 30,160 production records from 2469 Italian Holstein cows. Three teat scoring traits were defined and included in the analysis. Heritability estimates for the teat score traits were moderate to low, ranging from 0.084 to 0.238. When teat score was based on a four-classes ordinal scoring, its genetic correlation with milk yields and somatic cell score were 0.862 and 0.439, respectively. The scale used to classify teat-end score has an impact on the magnitude of the estimates. Genetic correlations suggest that selection for milk yield could deteriorate teat health, unless more emphasis is given to somatic cell scores. Considering that both at national and international level, the current selection objectives are giving more emphasis to health traits, a further genetic deterioration in teat condition is not expected.


1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. L. Mason ◽  
V. E. Vial ◽  
R. Thompson

SUMMARYA beef progeny test was organized for 66 British Friesian bulls standing at AI centres in England. Eighty-one progeny groups averaging 8-5 steers each were reared on the farms of various co-operating organizations and their growth and carcass characters were recorded. Heritability of various measurements of gain varied from 0 to 0·34, of carcass conformation measures from 0·24 to 0·50, of muscle and fat percentage in the rib joint was 0·58 and 0·46 respectively, of other measures of fatness varied from 0·04 to 0·18, of weight of feet was 0·4 and of weight of hide 0·5.Phenotypic correlations among beef characters gave no indication that carcass composition could be predicted from the external carcass measurements or subjective scores used in this study. Genetic correlations suggested that selection for weight for age would produce a fatter and more compact carcass. Genetic correlations were high and negative between milk yield (contemporary comparison) and weight for age, carcass weight/length, and blockiness of leg, and high and positive between milk yield, and carcass depth/length and percentage bone in the rib joint. Their standard errors were also high.


2015 ◽  
pp. 4962-4973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Rincón F ◽  
Juan Zambrano A ◽  
Julián Echeverri

ABSTRACT Objective. Determine the genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk yield, fat percentage, protein percentage and somatic cell score. Materials and methods. 18134 lactation records were used to Holstein and 1377 lactations for Jersey in different herds. The (co) variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using the software Multiple Trait Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood MTDFREML. Results. The Holstein and Jersey heritability’s (and standard error) for milk yield were: 0.16 (0.082) and 0.15 (0.306), 0.30 (0.079) and 0.37 (0.319) for protein percentage, 0.32 (0.076) and 0.46 (0.313) for fat percentage and for somatic cell score were: 0.01 (0.054) and 0.01 (0.233), respectively. The largest genetic correlations were found between the percentage of fat and percentage of protein, with values of 0.82 (0.126) and 0.98 (0.852) for Holstein and Jersey respectively. The lowest correlations were between fat percentage and somatic cell score with -0.01 (1.147) and -0.01 (1. 734). Phenotypic correlations were generally found low and repeatability showed a significant effect of permanent environment on milk production per lactation. Conclusions. It is important to emphasize the development of research to help guide breeding programs in the tropics, using selection indices of multi-traits.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ptak ◽  
W. Jagusiak ◽  
A. Żarnecki ◽  
A. Otwinowska-Mindur

The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations of lactational and daily somatic cell scores with descriptive and linear type traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. Data were: test-day somatic cell scores and conformation evaluations of 24 599 primiparous cows, daughters of 802 sires. Cows calved from 2006 to 2007. The lactational somatic cell score was calculated as the average of four test-day somatic cell scores at least. The daily somatic cell score was the test-day somatic cell score closest to the date of type evaluation. A multi-trait animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters. (Co)variance components were estimated by a Bayesian algorithm via Gibbs sampling. The heritability of lactational somatic cell score was 0.20 and it was much higher than that of daily somatic cell score (0.13). Heritabilities of type traits were high to moderate for height at rump (0.46), size (0.39), overall conformation score (0.30), two linear rump traits (0.28–0.29) and three linear teat traits (0.26–0.29). The genetic correlation between lactational and daily somatic cell scores was 0.84. In many cases, daily somatic cell score showed higher genetic correlations with type traits than lactational somatic cell score. Descriptive udder and feet and legs scores were genetically correlated negatively with both lactational (–0.22 and –0.20) and daily somatic cell scores (–0.28 and –0.33). Somatic cell traits were genetically correlated positively with rump angle (0.21 and 0.19) and negatively with fore udder height (–0.26 and –0.29), udder depth (–0.23 and –0.17) and central ligament (–0.14 and –0.16). Due to higher heritability, direct selection for lower lactational somatic cell score would be more effective than selection for lower daily somatic cell score. The magnitude of obtained heritabilities and the favourable genetic correlations indicate that the selection utilizing some type traits could improve the resistance to mastitis.


2010 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Penasa ◽  
A. Cecchinato ◽  
M. Battagin ◽  
M. De Marchi ◽  
D. Pretto ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e50181
Author(s):  
Mahdi Elahi Torshizi ◽  
Homayoun Farhangfar

The objective of this study was to estimate lactation curve parameters with Dijkstra mechanistic model and to evaluate genetic and phenotypic relationships between the parameters and the average somatic cell count in primiparous cows. The finding indicated that heritability estimates for partial milk yield (PMY1, PMY2 and PMY3), total 305-day milk yield (TMY305), decay parameter (λ2), age at first calving (AFC) and peak yield (PY) were moderate while the heritability of persistency (PS%), average somatic cell score (AVGSCS), time to peak yield (TP), initial milk production (λ0), specific rate of cell proliferation at parturition (λ1), and specific rate of cell death (λ3) were quite low. Genetic correlations between both AFC and PS% traits with average somatic cell scores was negative (-0.047 and -0.060) but low positive genetic correlation were between partial milk yields (PMY1 and PMY3) while negative genetic correlation (-0.06) was obtained between TMY305 and AVGSCS. Differences between TMY305 of cows with less than 100000 cells mL-1 and cows with >1,500,000 cells mL-1 was approximately 708 Kg and is equivalent to 8% loss of milk yield/cow during lactation period and also loss of persistency (11.1 %( was shown for the extreme classes of SCC in this study.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Rzewuska ◽  
J. Jamrozik ◽  
A. Żarnecki ◽  
T. Strabel

 Genetic parameters for somatic cell score in the first three lactations of Polish Holstein-Friesian cattle were estimated. A multiple-lactation model was applied with random herd-test-day effect, fixed regressions for herd-year and age-season of calving, and random regressions for the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. The large data set was used that included over one million test-day records and more than 58 000 cows. Estimates of covariance components and genetic parameters were obtained by Bayesian methods using the Gibbs sampler. Average daily heritabilities of somatic cell score (SCS) in the first three lactations were 0.11, 0.12 and 0.14 for the first, second and third lactation, respectively. Estimates of daily heritabilities were rather independent of days in milk (DIM), with no serious abnormalities at the beginning or the end of lactation. Average genetic correlations between SCS on the same DIM were 0.68, 0.62 and 0.70 for first and second, first and third, and second and third parities, respectively, and did not exceed 0.77. The low level of heritability estimates and relatively low genetic correlations between lactations would suggest that selection based on the first lactation only could limit a response in mastitis resistance for later lactations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzane Shokri-Sangari ◽  
Hadi Atashi ◽  
Mohammad Dadpasand ◽  
Fateme Saghanejad

Background: Lactation persistency influences cow health and reproduction and has an impact on the feed costs of dairy farms. Objective: To estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters of 100- and 305-d milk yield, and lactation persistency in Holstein cows in Iran. Methods: Records collected from January 2000 to December 2012 by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran (Karaj, Iran) were used. The following four measures of lactation persistency were used: P21: Ratio of milk yield in the second 100-d in milk (DIM) divided by that of the first 100-d. P31: Ratios of milk yield in the third100-d divided by that of the first 100-d. PW: The persistency measure derived from the incomplete gamma function. PJ: The difference between milk yield in day 60th and 280th of lactation. Results: The estimated heritability of lactation persistency for the three first parities (first, second, and third lactation) ranged from 0.01 to 0.06, 0.02 to 0.10, and 0.01 to 0.12, respectively. Genetic correlations among lactation persistency measures for the three first parities ranged from 0.77 to 0.98, 0.65 to 0.98, and 0.58 to 0.98, respectively; while corresponding values for genetic correlations among lactation persistency with 305-d milk production ranged from 0.18 to 0.63, 0.32 to 0.75, and 0.41 to 0.71, respectively. The estimated repeatability for lactation persistency measures ranged from 0.06 to 0.20. Conclusion: The moderate positive genetic correlation between lactation persistency and 305-d milk yield indicates that selection for increasing milk yield can slightly improve lactation persistency.Key words: dairy cattle, heritability, lactation curve, milk yield, persistency, repeatability. ResumenAntecedentes: La persistencia de la lactancia tiene una gran influencia en la salud, la reproducción y los costos de alimentación de las granjas lecheras. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de (co)varianza y los parámetros genéticos de la producción de leche a 100 y 305 d, asi como la persistencia de la lactancia en vacas Holstein en Irán. Métodos: Se utilizaron registros recopilados entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2012 por el Centro de cría de animales de Irán (Karaj, Irán). Se utilizaron las siguientes cuatro medidas de persistencia de la lactancia: P21: Proporción de producción de leche en los segundos 100-d en leche (DIM) dividida por la de los primeros 100-d. P31: Proporcion de producción de leche en los terceros 100-d dividido por el de los primeros 100-d. PW: medida de persistencia derivada de la función gamma incompleta. PJ: diferencia entre el rendimiento de leche en el 60 y el 280 día de lactancia. Resultados: La heredabilidad estimada de la persistencia de la lactancia para los tres primeros partos (primera, segunda y tercera lactancia) varió de 0,01 a 0,06; 0,02 a 0,10; y 0,01 a 0,12, respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas entre las medidas de persistencia de lactancia para los tres primeros partos variaron de 0,77 a 0,98; 0,65 a 0,98; y 0,58 a 0,98, respectivamente; mientras que los valores correspondientes para las correlaciones genéticas entre la persistencia de la lactancia con la producción de leche a 305 d variaron de 0,18 a 0,63; 0,32 a 0,75; y 0,41 a 0,71, respectivamente. La repetibilidad estimada para las medidas de persistencia de la lactancia varió de 0,06 a 0,20. Conclusión: La correlación genética positiva moderada entre la persistencia de la lactancia y la producción de leche a 305-d indica que la selección para aumentar la producción de leche puede mejorar ligeramente la persistencia de la lactancia.Palabras clave: curva de lactancia, ganado lechero, heredabilidad, persistencia, producción de leche, repetibilidad. ResumoAntecedentes: A persistência da lactação tem grande influência nos custos de saúde, reprodução e alimentação em fazendas leiteiras. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes da variância (co)variância e os parâmetros genéticos da produção de leite de 100 e 305 d e a persistência da lactação em vacas Holandesas no Irã. Métodos: Os dados utilizados foram registros coletados de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2012 pelo Centro de Criação de Animais do Irã (Karaj, Irã). As seguintes quatro medidas de persistência de lactação foram utilizadas: P21: Razão da produção de leite no segundo 100-d em leite (DIM) dividido pelo primeiro 100-d. P31: Razões da produção de leite na terceira 100d dividida pela da primeira 100-d. PW: A medida de persistência derivada da função gama incompleta. PJ: A diferença entre a produção de leite no 60º e 280º dia de lactação. Resultados: A hereditariedade estimada da persistência da lactação para as três primeiras paridades (primeira, segunda e terceira lactação) variou de 0,01 a 0,06; 0,02 a 0,10; e 0,01 a 0,12, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas entre as medidas de persistência da lactação para as três primeiras paridades variaram de 0,77 a 0,98; 0,65 a 0,98; e 0,58 a 0,98, respectivamente; enquanto os valores correspondentes para correlações genéticas entre a persistência da lactação com produção de leite de 305d variaram de 0,18 a 0,63; 0,32 a 0,75; e 0,41 a 0,71, respectivamente. A repetibilidade estimada para medidas de persistência de lactação variou de 0,06 a 0,20. Conclusão: A correlação genética positiva moderada entre a persistência da lactação e a produção de leite de 305d indicou que a seleção para aumentar a produção de leite melhoraria ligeiramente a persistência da lactação.Palavras-chave: curva de lactação, gado de leite, hereditariedade, persistência, produção de leite, repetibilidade.


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 539-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Zink ◽  
L. Zavadilová ◽  
J. Lassen ◽  
M. Štípková ◽  
M. Vacek ◽  
...  

Genetic and phenotypic correlations between production traits, selected linear type traits, and somatic cell score were estimated. The results could be useful for breeding programs involving Czech Holstein dairy cows or other populations. A series of bivariate analyses was applied whereby (co)variance components were estimated using average information (AI-REML) implemented via the DMU statistical package. Chosen phenotypic data included average somatic cell score per a 305-day standard first lactation as well as the production traits milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage per the standard first lactation. Fifteen classified linear type traits were added, as they were measured at first lactation in the Czech Holstein population. All phenotypic data were collected within the progeny testing program of the Czech-Moravian Breeders Corporation from 2005 to 2009. The number of animals for each linear type trait was 59 454, except for locomotion, for which 53 424 animals were recorded. The numbers of animals with records of milk production data were 43 992 for milk yield, fat percentage, protein percentage, and fat-to-protein percentage ratio and 43 978 for fat yield and protein yield. In total, 27 098 somatic cell score records were available. The strongest positive genetic correlation between production traits and linear type traits was estimated between udder width and fat yield (0.51 ± 0.04), while the strongest negative correlation estimated was between body condition score and fat yield (−0.45 ± 0.03). Other estimated correlations were between those two extremes but generally they were close to zero or positive. The strongest negative phenotypic correlations were estimated between udder depth and milk yield and protein yield (both −0.17), while the strongest positive phenotypic correlations were estimated between milk yield, protein yield, and udder width (both 0.32).  


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