Cluster analysis on across-country genetic correlations for overall type traits and body condition score of Holstein bulls

AbstractGenetic and phenotypic parameters for body condition score (BCS), days to first service (DFS), non-return rate (NRR), somatic cell score (SCS), and 305-day milk, fat and protein yields were estimated, using 38930 multiple lactation records of cows across 1830 herds. The cows were daughters of '243 different sires. Single- and multi-trait repeatability animal models were used to estimate parameters based on restricted maximum likelihood methodology. Fixed effects in the model varied depending on the individual trait. Further, genetic relationships between 27 (linear and descriptive) type traits and functional traits (fertility and SCS) were estimated by regressing daughter type records on their sire's estimated breeding values for functional traits, using the same data set. Estimated regression coefficients were then subsequently used to derive approximate genetic correlations between type and functional traits (DFS, NRR and SCS). Body condition score had a moderate heritability (h2) of 0-26 and fertility traits had a low h2 (0-12 for DFS and 0-06 for NRR). Heritability of SCS and milk production traits was 0-14 and around 0-30, respectively. Ratio of permanent environmental variance to phenotypic variance was higher than h2 for all traits considered and ranged from 0-09 for NRR to 0-45 for milk yield. Body condition score had a favourable genetic correlation (rg) with SCS, but it was not strong (-0-08). Milk production was genetically antagonistic with fertility (rg: range 0-12 to 0-27 with DFS and -0-12 to -0-24 with NRR), with BCS (-0-39 to -0-50), and with SCS (0-10 to 0-15) showing that selecting for milk production alone would lead to decline in genetic merit for these functional traits. Body condition score had favourable genetic correlations with fertility traits (-0-35 with DFS and 0-04 with NRR) suggesting that BCS could be considered in a fertility index. Several type traits (especially 'udder' traits) had a favourable genetic relationship with fertility traits and SCS whereas dairy character had an unfavourable genetic relationship. Results of this study on genetic and phenotypic correlations among several functional, type and production traits could be used to design improved selection indexes for dairy producers.

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Genetic correlations between longevity and conformation traits in the Czech Holstein population

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/5566-cjas ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 57 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 125-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

L. Zavadilová ◽

M. Štípková

Keyword(s):

Genetic Correlation ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Side View ◽

Condition Score ◽

Type Traits ◽

Quadratic Relationship ◽

Using Data

Genetic correlations between longevity and conformation traits were estimated using data on Czech Holstein cows first calved in the years 1993–2008. Longevity traits considered were length of productive life and number of lactations initiated and their functional equivalents (i.e. the longevity traits corrected for milk production). Conformation traits were twenty one linear descriptive type traits, six composite traits and height at sacrum measured in cm. A possible nonlinear relationship between conformation and longevity traits was also investigated. The heritabilities ranged from 0.05 to 0.43 for conformation traits and from 0.03 to 0.05 for longevity traits. Low to moderate genetic relationships between conformation and longevity traits were found. The genetic correlations were higher for functional longevity than for direct longevity traits. Negative genetic correlations with all longevity traits were found for height at the sacrum, stature, dairy form, body conformation, and capacity. Final score showed weak genetic correlation with all analyzed longevity traits. Positive genetic correlations occurred between feet and legs and direct longevity and functional longevity (0.19, 0.14) and between udder and direct longevity (0.10). Body condition score and angularity showed strong genetic correlations with functional longevity (body condition score 0.30, angularity –0.31). Foot and leg traits showed weak genetic correlations with longevity traits except rear legs set (side view) (–0.24) and hock quality (0.19). The udder traits showed inconsistent and rather weak genetic correlations with longevity traits, with the exception of a stronger genetic correlation between rear udder width and functional longevity (–0.22) and between central ligament and number of lactations (–0.18, –0.19). The teat traits showed always negative genetic correlations with longevity traits. The strongest correlations were found for rear teat position (–0.28) and the weakest for teat length (–0.03). Some conformation traits showed markedly stronger genetic correlations with functional longevity than with direct longevity (rear udder width and rear udder height, dairy form, body condition score, angularity, rear legs set (side view), rear legs rear view). A quadratic relationship between conformation and longevity traits did exist. Even if the linear relationship generally prevailed, the quadratic relationship should be taken into account.  

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Genetics of heifer puberty in two tropical beef genotypes in northern Australia and associations with heifer- and steer-production traits

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/ea08276 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 49 (6) ◽

pp. 399 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

D. J. Johnston ◽

S. A. Barwick ◽

N. J. Corbet ◽

G. Fordyce ◽

R. G. Holroyd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Body Condition ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Production Traits ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Condition Score ◽

Age At Puberty

A total of 2115 heifers from two tropical genotypes (1007 Brahman and 1108 Tropical Composite) raised in four locations in northern Australia were ovarian-scanned every 4–6 weeks to determine the age at the first-observed corpus luteum (CL) and this was used to define the age at puberty for each heifer. Other traits recorded at each time of ovarian scanning were liveweight, fat depths and body condition score. Reproductive tract size was measured close to the start of the first joining period. Results showed significant effects of location and birth month on the age at first CL and associated puberty traits. Genotypes did not differ significantly for the age or weight at first CL; however, Brahman were fatter at first CL and had a small reproductive tract size compared with that of Tropical Composite. Genetic analyses estimated the age at first CL to be moderately to highly heritable for Brahman (0.57) and Tropical Composite (0.52). The associated traits were also moderately heritable, except for reproductive tract size in Brahmans (0.03) and for Tropical Composite, the presence of an observed CL on the scanning day closest to the start of joining (0.07). Genetic correlations among puberty traits were mostly moderate to high and generally larger in magnitude for Brahman than for Tropical Composite. Genetic correlations between the age at CL and heifer- and steer-production traits showed important genotype differences. For Tropical Composite, the age at CL was negatively correlated with the heifer growth rate in their first postweaning wet season (–0.40) and carcass marbling score (–0.49), but was positively correlated with carcass P8 fat depth (0.43). For Brahman, the age at CL was moderately negatively genetically correlated with heifer measures of bodyweight, fatness, body condition score and IGF-I, in both their first postweaning wet and second dry seasons, but was positively correlated with the dry-season growth rate. For Brahman, genetic correlations between the age at CL and steer traits showed possible antagonisms with feedlot residual feed intake (–0.60) and meat colour (0.73). Selection can be used to change the heifer age at puberty in both genotypes, with few major antagonisms with steer- and heifer-production traits.

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Genetic associations between mature size and condition score of Nelore cows, and weight, subjective scores and carcass traits as yearlings

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an17873 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (7) ◽

pp. 1209 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Viviane V. de Lacerda ◽

Gabriel S. Campos ◽

Daniel D. Silveira ◽

Vanerlei M. Roso ◽

Mario L. Santana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Correlated Response ◽

Genetic Associations ◽

Breeding Values ◽

Condition Score ◽

Selection For ◽

Mature Size

The size and body condition of female livestock is critical for improving production efficiency. However, we know little about how height and body condition score in mature beef cattle are genetically related to traits observed when the animals are younger. In the present study, we used data from 321650 Nelore cattle, first, to compare genetic parameters and breeding values on the basis of different models employing weight (MW), height (MH) and body condition score (BCS) of mature cows (3–17 years old). Next, we estimated the genetic correlations between the three traits and assorted yearling traits (YW, weight; YC; conformation score; YP, precocity score; YM, muscling score; YN, navel score; LMA, longissimus muscle area; BF, back fat thickness). Finally, we obtained the expected direct responses to selection for MW, MH and BCS of cows and correlated responses for these traits when the selection was applied to yearling traits. For MW and MH, single-trait Bayesian analyses were used to evaluate the effects of including BCS when defining contemporary groups (BCS included, CG1; BCS not included, CG2). For BCS trait, linear and threshold animal models were compared. After, bi-trait analyses that included MW, MH or BCS with yearling traits were performed. The CG1 scenario resulted in a higher heritability for MW (0.45 ± 0.02) than did CG2 (0.39 ± 0.02). Both scenarios yielded the same heritability estimates for MH (0.35 ± 0.02). Sires’ rank correlations between predicted breeding values under CG1 and CG2 were 0.60–0.92 for MW and 0.90–0.98 for MH, considering different selection intensities. Thus, only for MW genetic evaluations, the incorporation of BCS in the definition of the contemporary groups is indicated. For BCS trait, the same sires were selected regardless of the model (linear or threshold). Genetic correlations between MW and five yearling traits (YW, YC, YP, YM and YN) ranged from 0.18 ± 0.03 to 0.84 ± 0.01. The MH had a higher and positive genetic association with YW (0.64 ± 0.02) and YC (0.54 ± 0.03), than with YN (0.18 ± 0.03). However, MH was negatively and lowly genetically correlated with YP (–0.08 ± 0.03) and YM (–0.14 ± 0.03). The BCS had positive genetic associations with all yearling traits, particularly with YP (0.61 ± 0.06) and YM (0.60 ± 0.07). Mature size and carcass traits exhibited a low to moderate negative genetic correlations. However, BCS had positive genetic associations with LMA (0.38 ± 0.12) and BF (0.32 ± 0.14). Despite a shorter generation interval, selection at the yearling stage will result in a slower genetic progress per generation than does direct selection for cow MW, MH or BCS. Moreover, using YW and YC as selection criteria will increase cattle size at maturity without altering BCS. Last, LMA or BF-based selection will reduce mature size, while improving BCS, as a correlated response.

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Estimating body weight, body condition score, and type traits in dairy cows using three dimensional cameras and manual body measurements

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 236 ◽

pp. 104054 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

B.M. Martins ◽

A.L.C. Mendes ◽

L.F. Silva ◽

T.R. Moreira ◽

J.H.C. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Condition Score ◽

Type Traits

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PSVIII-8 Genetic parameters for parasite resistance in an endangered and heritage sheep breed from Florida

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 242-242

Author(s):

Zaira M Estrada-Reyes ◽

Jorge A Hidalgo Moreno ◽

Brittany N Diehl ◽

Ibukun M Ogunade ◽

Andres A Pech-Cervantes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

The United States ◽

Parasite Resistance ◽

Southern Us ◽

Condition Score ◽

Native Sheep ◽

Resistance Traits

Abstract The Florida Native Sheep is one of the oldest sheep breeds in the United States. This heritage breed from Florida, naturally adapted to humid and hot climate conditions, is one of the most parasite resistant breeds from the Southern US. However, only approximately 1,000 individuals remain alive in the world. Therefore, conservation efforts and breeding programs are critical for survival of this breed. The objective of this research was to estimate genetic parameters for parasite resistance and body condition score in Florida Native sheep. The pedigree file contained 695 animals born between 2018 and 2020 and included 279 individuals with genotypes (38,429 SNP after quality control). The dataset contained 365 animals with phenotypic records at 38 days post-infection (natural Haemonchus contortus infection) for fecal egg count (FEC), blood packed count volume (PCV), FAMACHA score (FAM), and body condition score (BCS). Genetic parameters were estimated using a multi-trait model with a Bayesian implementation in the GIBBS3F90 program. Heritabilities were 0.38 0.07, 0.47 0.05, 0.27 0.04, and 0.52 0.07 for FEC, PCV, FAM, and BCS. Genetic correlations among parasite resistance traits were high and favorable: -0.82 0.06 (FEC-PCV), 0.83 0.07 (FEC-FAM), and -0.94 0.03 (PCV-FAM). Genetic correlations among parasite resistance traits and BCS were -0.42 0.11 (FEC-BCS), 0.75 0.09 (PCV-BCS), and -0.82 0.05 (FAM-BCS). Genetic progress for parasite resistance is possible in Florida Native sheep. The FAMACHA score is a phenotypic parameter easy to record in sheep; therefore, genetic selection for this trait can be effective to improve the remaining traits.

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INFLUENCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF LINEAR CONFORMATION TRAITS CHARACTERIZING THE BODY STATE, ON THE VIABILITY OF COWS UKRAINIAN BROWN DAIRY BREED

Animal Breeding and Genetics ◽

10.31073/abg.58.16 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 120-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

V. I. Ladyka ◽

L. M. Hmelnychyi ◽

S. L. Hmelnychyi

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

The State ◽

The Body ◽

Body Structure ◽

Body Depth ◽

Brown Cattle ◽

Condition Score ◽

Type Traits ◽

The Relationship

In the aspect of the search for predictors of longevity of dairy cattle animals, the dependence of longevity of Ukrainian brown dairy cows on indicators of descriptive conformation type traits has been investigated. We studied the linear type traits of the exterior of first-calf cows in the leading farms of the Sumy region, characterizing the state of the body development. According to the results of this research was determined, a reliable dependence of the cows longevity on the level of assessment of the descriptive conformation type traits: chest width, body depth, angularity, rump angle and width, and body condition score. The correlative variability of the relationship between cow’s longevity and these features was depending on the level of assessment of specific type trait of body structure of the animal. Dependence of the cows longevity on the development of chest width was different by curvilinear variability. The longer life of cows was found in animals with an estimate for the development of this type trait at 4–6 scores that averaged 2.726–2.895 days with the best 5 scores. When comparing the group of animals with an average 5 scores with the groups having 6–9 scores, a significant difference was found in favor of the first, ranging from 169 (P < 0.01) to 561 days (P < 0.001). Studies on the dependence of the longevity of brown cattle cows on the value of body depth assessment have shown that the most longevity was inherent in animals estimated by type trait development at 7–9 scores, with the highest rate in 2.856 days and estimate – 7 scores. The type trait of angularity similar to deep-chested and was also directly related to the cow's longevity. Cows with excessive angularity and the highest lifetime (2.713–2.855 days) were estimated by the higher scores (7–9) with the best evaluation results in 8 scores. A significant decrease in cows longevity was observed with a decrease in the assessment for this trait starting from 6 scores (-244 days; P < 0.05) to 1 (-701 days; P < 0.001) compared with the best result of 8 scores. The desired state of the linear trait development, the rump angle, was within the average assessment level of 5 scores, which similar to the optimal sacrum slope between the extreme points on the conditionally drawn line at the level of the top point of hip bones and the ischial hump, which was 2–4 cm. Deviations towards the assessment of the rump angle to 1 score (raised) or 9 scores (sloped) are the disadvantages of the body structure. The study of this trait has shown the curvilinear nature of the relationship between estimates for the state of rump angle and longevity of cows. Cows with an optimal 5 scores rating had the highest longevity of 2.796 days, while with increasing and decreasing estimates, the number of days of life of cows decreased. The longevity of cows of brown cattle was determined on the level of assessment for the trait of the rear width. Cows with a maximum estimate for the state of this descriptive trait in 9 scores were used for 575 days longer compared to animals rated at 1 score (P < 0.001). According to the results of research of animals by the trait of body condition, it was found that the degree of fatness was associated with the longevity of brown cattle in the opposite direction. That is, a thinner animals, which are valued lower scores, and used to live much longer. The influence of body condition score on the longevity of animals was confirmed by the highly reliable difference between the maximum (9 scores) and the minimum (1 score) estimates, which was 457 days (P < 0.001). A significant decrease of the longevity was observed in cows with an assessment of body condition in 6–9 scores. Thus, the existence of a correlative variability between estimates of descriptive traits of conformation type and the longevity of cows of Ukrainian brown breeds was determined. Each of the estimated type traits of the body structure correlates with the longevity of cows with varying variability within the classification scores in accordance with their desired development. Thus, the selection of animals for the desired development of linear traits at the age of the first lactation allows them to be used as indirect predictors to increase the duration of use of cows.

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