Genetic correlations between growth and reproductive traits in Zandi sheep

2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 895-899
Author(s):  
Kourosh Mohammadi ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Beigi Nassiri ◽  
Enayat Rahmatnejad ◽  
Rostam Abdollahi-Arpanahi ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Reza Hossaini ◽  
...  
2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 2979-2986 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.C. Regatieri ◽  
A.A. Boligon ◽  
F. Baldi ◽  
L.G. Albuquerque

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1885) ◽  
pp. 20180951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Tuni ◽  
Chang S. Han ◽  
Niels J. Dingemanse

Reproductive traits involved in mate acquisition (pre-mating traits) are predicted to covary with those involved in fertilization success (post-mating traits). Variation in male quality may give rise to positive, and resource allocation trade-offs to negative, covariances between pre- and post-mating traits. Empirical studies have yielded mixed results. Progress is hampered as researchers often fail to appreciate that mentioned biological mechanisms can act simultaneously but at different hierarchical levels of biological variation: genetic correlations may, for example, be negative due to genetic trade-offs but environmental correlations may instead be positive due to individual variation in resource acquisition. We measured pre-mating (aggression, body weight) and post-mating (ejaculate size) reproductive traits in a pedigreed population of southern field crickets ( Gryllus bimaculatus ). To create environmental variation, crickets were raised on either a low or a high nymphal density treatment. We estimated genetic and environmental sources of correlations between pre- and post-mating traits. We found positive genetic correlations between pre- and post-mating traits, implying the existence of genetic variation in male quality. Over repeated trials of the same individual (testing order), positive changes in one trait were matched with negative changes in other traits, suggesting energy allocating trade-offs within individuals among days. These findings demonstrate the need for research on pre- and post-mating traits to consider the hierarchical structure of trait correlations. Only by doing so was our study able to conclude that multiple mechanisms jointly shape phenotypic associations between pre- and post-mating traits in crickets.


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
M. Orunmuyi ◽  
I. A. Adeyinka ◽  
O.O Oni

A study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of fertility and hatchability in two strains of Rhode Island Red (RIR) Chickens denoted as Strain A and Strain B respectively using the full-sib (sire +dam variance) and maternal half-sib (dam variance) components. The birds were obtained from the selected populations of RIR Chickens kept at the poultry breeding programme of National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. Settable eggs were collected from mating 28 cocks to 252 hens in a ratio of 1cock:9 hens from each strain. Eggs were pedigreed according to sire and dam. Results showed that values obtained for number of egg set (EGGSET), number of fertile eggs (NFERT), number of hatched chicks (NHATCH), percentage of chicks hatched from total eggs set (PHATCH) and percentage of chicks hatched from fertile eggs (PHATCHBL) were all higher in strain A than strain B. Heritability estimates obtained from the full-sib and maternal half-sib analysis ranged from medium to high for the two strains (0.24-0.96). The maternal half sib estimates were higher (0.40-0.96) than the estimates obtained from full sibs (0.24- 0.48). Genetic and phenotypic correlations obtained for both strains were positive and similar regardless of method of estimation. Genetic correlations between EGGSET and PFERT were low in strain A using both full-sib and maternal half-sib analyses (0.09-0.14). Phenotypic correlations between EGGSET and PFERT, PHATCH and PHATCHBL were also low in both strains and regardless of method of analyses. Moderate to high heritability estimates suggest that genetic improvement can be obtained by selection of these reproductive traits. The full-sib analysis for estimating heritability will be preferred since it is assumed that only additive genetic variance contributes to the covariance between family members.


1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Martin ◽  
D. Nicholson ◽  
C. Smith ◽  
D. I. Sales

SUMMARYData on 902 ewes (1755 records) bom over 7 years in the synthetic ABRO Dam Line were analysed by least squares. Reproductive traits of the ewe were not affected by whether she was a single or a twin or by the age of her dam. Ewe age had major effects on all reproductive traits. Litter weight traits were affected by the sex distribution and the age of the litter when weighed.Heritability estimates, both by half sib and regression methods, were low for litter size, low to moderate for litter weights, and higher for ewe and fleece weights. Genetic correlations among the litter-weight traits were high. Together with the heritability estimates, they indicated that selection on litter weight at birth (and perhaps other traits) might give a greater change in total litter weight at weaning, the main measure of ewe productivity and the objective in improvement, than would direct selection.


2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rym Ezzeroug ◽  
Rafik Belabbas ◽  
Maria José Argente ◽  
Ali Berbar ◽  
Samir Diss ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to obtain heritability estimates for reproductive (litter size at birth, number born alive, litter size at weaning) and growth traits (individual weaning weight, individual weight at the end of the fattening period), then determine the genetic correlation between them in a synthetic rabbit line. A total of 805 females, 3242 parities, and 18 472 growth records were measured from 2006 to 2017. A pentavariate animal model was used with reproductive and growth traits. Heritability ranged from 0.025 to 0.126 for reproductive traits and from 0.033 to 0.059 for growth traits. These traits showed a large coefficient of variation (from 32% to 56% for reproductive traits and from 21% to 28% for growth traits). The repeatability of reproductive traits was low and the common litter effect for growth traits was the most important component of total variance. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between reproductive and growth traits were high and negative, especially with weight at weaning (−0.848, −0.922, and −0.854 for litter size at birth, number born alive, and litter size at weaning, respectively). In conclusion, because of the high negative correlation between reproductive and growth traits, both reproductive and growth traits should be selected in independent lines and the response to selection should be due mainly to the high coefficient of variation of the traits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranielle Nogueira da Silva Vilela ◽  
Thomaz Marques Sena ◽  
Rusbel Raul Aspilcueta-Borquis ◽  
Leonardo de Oliveira Seno ◽  
Francisco Ribeiro de Araujo Neto ◽  
...  

Context The planning and execution of selection programs requires estimates of the genetic correlations between traits. As genetic change is achieved for a given trait, it is important to consider possible genetic changes for other traits. Understanding the magnitude and direction of genetic correlations can assist in selection decisions. Aims The aim of the present study was to estimate the genetic correlations of reproductive traits with productive traits and with percentages of fat and protein in the milk of dairy buffalo. Additionally, genetic trends were estimated for the traits under study over the years. Methods Data from 11530 complete lactations of 3431 female buffalo were used. The following traits were analysed: milk, fat and protein yields; percentages of fat and protein; age at first calving; and calving interval. The (co)variance components were estimated by Bayesian inference in multi-trait analyses, considering a linear animal model. To calculate the genetic trends, the average annual genetic values were regressed on the year of birth. Key results The means of genetic correlations estimated between reproductive (age at first calving and calving interval) and productive (milk, fat and protein yields) traits were positive, but of moderate to low magnitude. The association between the reproductive and milk quality (fat and protein percentages) traits were negative and of low magnitude. Genetic trends for the productive traits were positive (5.25 ± 0.63, 0.15 ± 0.034 and 0.09 ± 0.038 kg/year for milk, fat and protein yields respectively). Genetic trends for the reproductive traits of age at first calving and calving interval increased by 0.47 ± 0.09 and 0.48 ± 0.10 days/year respectively. In terms of milk quality, however, the percentages of fat and protein decreased by 0.016 ± 0.003 and 0.011 ± 0.001%/year respectively. Conclusions Genetic gains in productive traits may elevate the number of days at first calving and extend the calving interval, in addition to leading to the production of milk of lower quality. Implications The use of a multi-trait selection index is an alternative, as it combines information from different sources, such that an optimal selection criterion can be achieved over time by virtue of its emphasis on appropriate weighting for all traits.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
S. A. Barwick ◽  
G. Fordyce ◽  
R. G. Holroyd ◽  
P. J. Williams ◽  
...  

Reproduction records from 2137 cows first mated at 2 years of age and recorded through to 8.5 years of age were used to study the genetics of early and lifetime reproductive performance from two genotypes (1020 Brahman and 1117 Tropical Composite) in tropical Australian production systems. Regular ultrasound scanning of the reproductive tract, coupled with full recording of mating, calving and weaning histories, allowed a comprehensive evaluation of a range of reproductive traits. Results showed components traits of early reproductive performance had moderate to high heritabilities, especially in Brahmans. The heritability of lactation anoestrous interval in 3-year-old cows was 0.51 ± 0.18 and 0.26 ± 0.11 for Brahman and Tropical Composite, respectively. Heritabilities of binary reproductive output traits (conception rate, pregnancy rate, calving rate and weaning rate) from first and second matings were generally moderate to high on the underlying scale. Estimates ranged from 0.15 to 0.69 in Brahman and 0.15 to 0.34 in Tropical Composite, but were considerably lower when expressed on the observed scale, particularly for those traits with high mean levels. Heritabilities of lifetime reproduction traits were low, with estimates of 0.11 ± 0.06 and 0.07 ± 0.06 for lifetime annual weaning rate in Brahman and Tropical Composite, respectively. Significant differences in mean reproductive performance were observed between the two genotypes, especially for traits associated with anoestrus in first-lactation cows. Genetic correlations between early-in-life reproductive measures and lifetime reproduction traits were moderate to high. Genetic correlations between lactation anoestrous interval and lifetime annual weaning rate were –0.62 ± 0.24 in Brahman and –0.87 ± 0.32 in Tropical Composite. The results emphasise the substantial opportunity that exists to genetically improve weaning rates in tropical beef cattle breeds by focusing recording and selection on early-in-life female reproduction traits, particularly in Brahman for traits associated with lactation anoestrus.


1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. McManus

AbstractGenetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated for farmed red deer on eight farms distributed throughout the United Kingdom. Genetic parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) analysis. Heritabilities for date of calving were low on seven of the eight farms (< 0–05), while repeatabilities were low to moderate (0·06 to 0·37). Heritabilities of all weights tended to be moderate to high on most farms (0·31 to 0·49; 0·22 to 0·89; 0·33 to 0·48; 0·37 to 0·45 and 0·37 to 0·90 for birth weight, weaning weight, mid-winter weight, turn-out weight and other weights respectively). The exception was farm 8 for which heritability estimates were very low (<0·08). This is attributed to inbreeding effects on this farm. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between post-weaning traits tended to be high, indicating selection at any stage of growth will be expected to lead to an increased growth at the other stages. Animals whose bloodlines originated in the forests of Eastern Europe (Yugoslavia, Hungary, Germany) were heavier at all stages indicating their usefulness as ‘terminal sire’ breeds. Hinds of mainland ‘European’ parentage also tended to calve earlier.


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. B. Mwansa ◽  
R. A. Kemp ◽  
D. H. Crews Jr ◽  
J. P. Kastelic ◽  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
...  

Genetic correlations of lifetime pregnancy rate with bull and heifer growth and reproductive traits in a beef composite population were estimated. Yearling scrotal circumference had an unfavorable genetic correlation (rg = −0.25) while yearling tonometer score was favorably related (rg = 0.22) to lifetime pregnancy rate. Heifer pregnancy rate, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and age at puberty in heifers had significant genetic correlations (rg = 0.97, 0.58, 0.57, 0.33 and −0.21, respectively) with lifetime pregnancy rate. Lifetime pregnancy rate may be successfully predicted by easy-to-measure heifer growth traits. Using indices including scrotal and heifer growth traits, annual genetic change in lifetime pregnancy rate may be increased 3.1 times compared with direct selection. Key words: Scrotal circumference, tonometer, pregnancy, reproduction, puberty


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