Heritability of muscle score and genetic and phenotypic relationships with weight, fatness and eye muscle area in beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Robinson ◽  
L. M. Cafe ◽  
W. A. McKiernan

To assess the potential for genetic improvement to help meet the increasing demand for high-yielding beef carcasses, the heritability of muscle score (MS) plus genetic and phenotypic correlations with weight and fatness traits were estimated on 1856 yearlings and 2596 weaners born from 1992 to 2012 in a predominantly Angus herd divergently selected for High/Low MS. In 2005, after noting that some cattle were positive for the 821_del11 myostatin mutation that causes muscle hypertrophy, procedures were modified to create a third group (HighHet) of High animals with one copy of this major gene. This allowed the additive genetic effects of MS to be assessed, and also the effect of the 821_del11 mutation. MS traits were found to be highly heritable (h2 = 56–63%), with an extremely high estimated genetic correlation of 99% between weaning and yearling MS. Estimated genetic correlations of MS with rib eye muscle area (EMA) in weaners and yearlings adjusted for either age or weight were 53–56%. Genetic correlations of MS with other traits were relatively low: liveweight (yearlings 5%, weaners 20%), rump fat (yearlings –7%, weaners 11%), rib fat (yearlings –17%, weaners –3%). Apart from weaning liveweight, the estimated genetic correlations were not significantly different from zero. MS had smaller estimated genetic correlations with fatness and weight traits than EMA adjusted for age. For yearlings and weaners born from 2010 to 2012, large significant differences were evident in MS of High and Low calves (4.5-point difference for yearlings; 3.4 points for weaners, on a 15-point scale) and significant differences in EMA (yearlings 2.5, weaners 1.5 cm2). In addition, the 821_del11 mutation reduced fatness, increased MS by 1.5–1.9 points and increased EMA by 2.8–3.6 cm2. With high heritability, low correlations with weight and fatness in weaners/yearlings, plus other research (Cafe et al. 2012, 2014a) showing no detrimental effect on maternal productivity or meat quality, but improvements in dressing percent, retail meat yield, meat : bone ratio and feedlot feed efficiency, the development of an estimated breeding value for MS could help improve the efficiency and profitability of beef production.

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1075
Author(s):  
Vinzent Börner ◽  
David J. Johnston ◽  
Hans-Ulrich Graser

Genetic parameters of four ultrasound live-scan traits and five carcass traits of Australian Angus cattle were examined with regard to sex and age of the scanned individuals. Live-scans were subdivided according to whether the observation was obtained from a bull or a heifer. In addition, two age subset (‘young’ and ‘old’) within sex were formed by k-means clustering around two centres within sex according to the age at scanning. REML estimates for heritabilities, genetic, residual and phenotypic correlations for each trait and trait combination were derived from a series of uni-, bi- and tri-variate analysis. Statistically significant age effects could be found for heritablities of scan intra-muscular fat content in heifers and scan fat depth at P8 site and scan rib fat depth in bulls, and for genetic correlations between the scan traits fat depth at P8 site, rib fat depth and eye muscle area. However, differences in heritablities between age sets within sex did not exceed 0.05, and genetic correlations between scan traits of ‘young’ and ‘old’ animals were at least 0.9. Differences between genetic correlations of abattoir carcass traits and ‘young’ and ‘old’ live-scan traits, respectively, were not significant due to high standard errors but up to 0.44. The larger of these differences were found for combinations of scan-traits and non-target carcass traits and not for combination of scan-traits and their actual carcass target traits. Thus, although some results suggest an age effect on the genetic parameters of scan traits, the extent of this effect is of limited impact on breeding value accuracy and genetic gain of scan traits. Furthermore, a possible age effect on correlations to economically important carcass traits need to be underpinned by more carcass traits observations in order to get unambiguous results allowing to draw consequences of scanning younger individuals for accuracy of breeding values and genetic gain in carcass traits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Donoghue ◽  
S. J. Lee ◽  
P. F. Parnell ◽  
W. S. Pitchford

The genetics of body composition traits measured before calving and at weaning in the first and second parities were evaluated in 5975 Angus and 1785 Hereford cows. Traits measured were liveweight, body condition score and hip height and ultrasound scanned measurements of subcutaneous P8 and 12/13th rib fat depth, loin eye muscle area and intramuscular fat percentage. Corresponding yearling measures on these animals were obtained for analyses of relationships between yearling information with later-in-life traits. There was moderate genetic variation in all body composition traits measured at pre-calving and weaning in Angus (h2 = 0.14–0.59) and Hereford (h2 = 0.14–0.64) cows. Genetic correlations between measurements of the same trait at pre-calving and weaning were consistently positive and high in both parities for both breeds, indicating animals were ranking similarly for the same trait measured over time. Genetic correlations between measurements of different traits were generally consistent over time (pre-calving and weaning) in both breeds, indicating genetic relationships between traits were not changing significantly over time. Genetic correlations with corresponding yearling measures of body composition were consistently positive and high for the first parity, and lower for the second parity. The results of this study indicate that genetic improvement in body composition traits in cows is possible, and that body composition information recorded at yearling age is a reasonably good predictor of later in life performance for these traits.


1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
ME Goddard ◽  
LP Thatcher

Three and a half thousand lambs from Border Leicester x Merino ewes mated to 133 sires from five Poll Dorset, one White Suffolk, one Siromt, two Meridale and four Merino studs were slaughtered, their carcasses halved and one side divided into six primals. Subcutaneous fat was dissected from all six primals, and bone from only the three rear primals. There were four slaughter groups: average slaughter weights of 30 and 35 kg for ewes and 35 and 45 kg for cryptorchids. Heritabilities and phenotypic and genetic correlations for all traits measured (>50) are published in an appendix. Where comparisons were available, estimates were similar to those for purebred animals. Genetic parameters for various assessments of fat were similar except for channel and omental fat. The GR fat depth was the best predictor for total subcutaneous fat, cannon bone length for total bone, and eye muscle area for total soft tissue. Carcass weight and GR appear to be the most important measurements for use in selection for breeding of sires for the prime lamb industry. Slaughter weight and fat depth at the C site could be used as suitable alternatives on live animals. Production of lean meat is not likely to be increased greatly by including measurements other than liveweight and GR in a selection index. Of the other measurements bone length and eye muscle measurements showed most promise.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo de Souza Gonçalves ◽  
Marcelo de Almeida Silva ◽  
Ligia Regina Lima Gouvêa ◽  
Erivaldo José Scaloppi Junior

Basic knowledge of genetic characteristics of populations is necessary to conduct effective breeding and selection. The objective of this paper is describing the genetic variation of rubber yield and the correlation with other traits, and estimating the genetic parameters for girth growth and total number of latex vessels. Sixty seven clones of Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell.-Arg. were tested at five sites during 10 years. Characters girth growth at panel opening and rubber yield, showed broad sense heritability on plot mean level, from 0.32 to 0.66 and 0.59 to 0.92, respectively. Predicted genetic gains equal to 0.73 cm and 0.79 g increase respectively on girth and yield in the opening panel and mature phases seems realistic, even with moderate selection intensities. Genetic correlations with rubber yield, bark thickness and total number of latex vessels were very large, and almost no genotype-environment interaction was present for girth growth. High genotype-environment interaction was present for rubber yield with genetic and phenotypic correlations across the sites, ranging from 0.64 to 0.92 (genetic) and 0.63 to 0.89 (phenotypic). Total number of latex vessels rings had a high heritability, ranging from 20.0% to 64.0% in the sites E and B, respectively.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3102
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Naserkheil ◽  
Deukmin Lee ◽  
Kihoon Chung ◽  
Mi Na Park ◽  
Hossein Mehrban

This study was carried out to estimate the variance components, heritability, and genetic correlations between the carcass traits and primal cut yields in Hanwoo cattle. Carcass traits comprising 5622 records included back fat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), and marbling score (MS). The 10 primal cut yields from 3467 Hanwoo steers included the tenderloin (TLN), sirloin (SLN), striploin (STLN), chuck (CHK), brisket (BSK), top round (TRD), bottom round (BRD), rib (RB), shank (SK), and flank (FK). In addition, three composite traits were formed by combining primal cut yields as novel traits according to consumer preferences and market price: high-value cuts (HVC), medium-value cuts (MVC), and low-value cuts (LVC). Heritability estimates for the interest of traits were moderate to high, ranging from 0.21 ± 0.04 for CHK to 0.59 ± 0.05 for MS. Except genetic correlations between RB and other primal cut traits, favorable and moderate to high correlations were observed among the yields of primal cut that ranged from 0.38 ± 0.14 (CHK and FK) to 0.93 ± 0.01 (TRD and BRD). Moreover, the estimated genetic correlations of CW and EMA with primal cut yields and three composite traits were positive and moderate to strong, except for BFT, which was negative. These results indicate that genetic progress can be achieved for all traits, and selection to increase the yields of primal cuts can lead to considerable profitability in the Hanwoo beef industry.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0251037
Author(s):  
Lorry Becot ◽  
Nicolas Bedere ◽  
Thierry Burlot ◽  
Jenna Coton ◽  
Pascale Le Roy

In cage-free systems, laying hens must lay their eggs in the nests. Selecting layers based on nesting behavior would be a good strategy for improving egg production in these breeding systems. However, little is known about the genetic determinism of nest-related traits. Laying rate in the nests (LRN), clutch number (CN), oviposition traits (OT), and nest acceptance for laying (NAL) of 1,430 Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens and 1,008 White Leghorn (WL) hens were recorded in floor pens provided with individual electronic nests. Heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations of all traits were estimated over two recording periods–the peak (24–43 weeks of age) and the middle (44–64 weeks of age) of production–by applying the restricted maximum likelihood method to an animal model. The mean oviposition time (MOT) ranged from 2 h 5 min to 3 h and from 3 h 35 min to 3 h 44 min after turning on the lights for RIR and WL hens, respectively. The mean oviposition interval ranged from 24 h 3 min to 24 h 16 min. All heritability and correlation estimates were similar for RIR and WL. Low to moderate heritability coefficients were estimated for LRN (0.04–0.25) and moderate to high heritability coefficients for CN and OT (0.27–0.68). CN and OT were negatively genetically correlated with LRN (-0.92 to -0.39) except during peak production for RIR (-0.30 to +0.43). NAL was weakly to moderately heritable (0.13–0.26). Genetic correlations between NAL and other traits were low to moderate (-0.41 to +0.44). In conclusion, CN and OT are promising selection criteria to improve egg production in cage-free systems. NAL can be also used to reduce the number of eggs laid off-nest in these breeding systems. However, variability in MOT must be maintained to limit competition for the nests.


1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Webb ◽  
W. S. Russell ◽  
D. I. Sales

ABSTRACTGenetic relationships among leg and performance traits were estimated for 23 975 Large White and Landrace boars fed twice daily to appetite from 27 to 91 kg live weight at Meat and Livestock Commission testing stations between 1966 and 1972. For each boar, an overall leg score was derived as the sum of scores for 19 individual leg traits categorized as ‘absent’ (0), ‘slight’ (1) or ‘severe’ (2) at 91 kg. Heritabilities of leg score were 017 ± 0·03 in Large White and 0·19 ± 0·04 in Landrace. Genetic correlations with a visual ‘leg action’ score on a scale from 1 to 5 averaged 0·93 ± 0·02 over breeds. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between leg scores on the same boars at 27 and 91 kg averaged 0·50 ± 0·17 and 0·15 ± 0·01 respectively.Both breeds showed significant adverse genetic correlations ranging from 0·20 ± 0·10 to 0·40 ± 0·08 between leg score and boar ultrasonic backfat. From slaughtered littermates, leg scores showed favourable genetic correlations with eye-muscle area (0·30 ± 0·10) and killing-out proportion (0·35 ± 011) in Large White and unfavourable correlations with carcass length (0·31 ± 0·10), lean content (0·30 ± 0·14) and backfat (0·33 ± 0·11) in Landrace. There were no associations with growth rate, feed efficiency or the performance index on which boars are selected. The study indicates that leg condition and fatness are adversely genetically related, but that selection on the present national performance index would not be expected to cause a rapid decline in leg condition. Culling on leg score would be expected to reduce the frequency of leg weakness.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
S. A. Barwick

The genetic relationships of female reproduction with growth and body composition, tropical adaptation traits and maternal weaning weight (descriptive of genetic potential milk production) were estimated in 1027 Brahman (BRAH) and 1132 Tropical Composite (TCOMP) females. Female reproduction was evaluated at puberty, as outcomes of the first and second annual mating periods (Mating 1 and Mating 2, which commenced when females averaged 27 and 39 months of age, respectively), as well as annual averages over up to six matings. Traits evaluated included age at puberty, Mating 1 and 2 pregnancy rate, weaning rate and days to calving, and lifetime annual calving and weaning rate. Traits describing growth and body composition (liveweight, hip height, ultrasound-scanned P8 fat depth and eye muscle area, subjective body condition score and blood IGF-I concentration) were measured in the animals as heifers (at ~18 months of age), and again at the start of Mating 2. Traits describing tropical adaptation included coat-length scores in both genotypes and, in BRAH, buffalo fly lesion scores. Previously reported analyses of these data identified heifer IGF-I and coat and buffalo-fly-lesion scores as potential genetic indicators for age at puberty in BRAH. The results of the present study found that exploiting these relationships would have no unfavourable genetic consequences for later female reproduction and, in some cases, may be indicators of female reproduction, when evaluated as outcomes of Matings 1 or 2, or as lifetime annual calving or weaning rates. For BRAH, heifer liveweight was a genetic indicator for Mating 1 weaning rate (rg = 0.70), and, while standard errors were high, there were also positive genetic correlations of heifer hip height, eye muscle area and blood IGF-I concentration with Mating 1 weaning rate (rg = 0.61, 0.58 and 0.43, respectively). For TCOMP, significant genetic relationships of heifer growth, body composition and tropical adaptation traits with female reproduction were virtually absent, suggesting that there is less opportunity to identify earlier in life measures as genetic indicators of reproduction for this genotype. Higher maternal weaning weight was significantly genetically related to lower lifetime annual weaning rate (rg = –0.50) in BRAH, and with lower Mating 2 calving and weaning rate (rg = –0.72 and –0.59, respectively) in TCOMP, which will need to be considered when making selection decisions that affect genetic milk in these genotypes. Importantly, the results presented revealed no strong genetic antagonisms of heifer growth and body composition traits with female reproduction, suggesting that selection could be undertaken to improve these simultaneously.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1425
Author(s):  
Masoumeh Naserkheil ◽  
Deuk-Hwan Lee ◽  
Hong-Sik Kong ◽  
Jiyeon Seong ◽  
Hossein Mehrban

Genetic parameters have a significant role in designing a breeding program and are required to evaluate economically important traits. The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlation between yearling ultrasound measurements, such as backfat thickness (UBFT), eye muscle area (UEMA), intramuscular fat content (UIMF), and carcass traits, such as backfat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), marbling score (MS) at approximately 24 months of age, as well as yearling weight (YW) in Hanwoo bulls (15,796) and steers (5682). The (co) variance components were estimated using a multi-trait animal model. Moderate to high heritability estimates were obtained and were 0.42, 0.50, 0.56, and 0.59 for CW, EMA, BFT, and MS, respectively. Heritability estimates for yearling measurements of YW, UEMA, UBFT, and UIMF were 0.31, 0.32, 0.30, and 0.19, respectively. Favorable and strong genetic correlations were observed between UIMF and MS (0.78), UBFT and BFT (0.63), and UEMA and EMA (0.65). Moreover, the estimated genetic correlation between YW and CW was high (0.84) and relatively moderate between YW and EMA (0.43). These results suggest that genetic improvement can be achieved for carcass traits when using yearling ultrasound measurements as selection criteria in ongoing Hanwoo breeding programs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
W P B. Putra ◽  
Su Madi ◽  
T. Hartatik ◽  
H. Saumar

This research was conducted to investigate the results of selection in Aceh cattle candidate<br />bull using breeding value (BV) and selection index (SI) methods. The Secondary data in this research was records data from 2010 to 2013 and consisted of family tree, birth and body weight records at Indrapuri’s Breeding and Forages Centre (IBFC) of Aceh Cattle. Data records collected for estimate heritability nor the genetic and phenotypic correlations. The research showed that heritability value of weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW) and final weight (FW) included high category. Genetic correlation between WW with YW and FW were positively moderate. The concluded of this research was 48 % heifers had same rank on BVFW and SI from 29 heifers. Index selection method could be use for livestock selection criteria.<br />Key words: Aceh cattle, breeding value, selection index, heritability, genetic correlations


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