Genetic parameters for weights from birth to 10 years of age in different beef cow breeds

Context Most Brazilian beef breeding programs perform selection for young bodyweight, which will inevitably increase mature weight due to the genetic correlation among weights at different ages. Aims The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for bodyweight from birth to maturity in Gir, Guzerat, Nelore and Caracu cows born between 1981 and 2014 at Centro APTA Bovinos de Corte, Instituto de Zootecnia, Sertãozinho, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods The model included the fixed effects of contemporary group (herd and year of birth), month of birth and previous reproductive status (calved = 1, or not calved = 0), the linear and quadratic effects of animal and cow age as covariates, and direct additive genetic, maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects as random effects. The genetic parameters were estimated by univariate analysis of weights adjusted at birth, and at 120, 210, 378, 450 and 550 days of age, and annually from 2 to 10 years. In addition, multivariate analysis was performed considering weights at birth, and at 210 and 550 days, and at 5 years of age for all breeds. Key results For the different breeds, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.28 to 0.49 for birthweight, from 0.11 to 0.31 for weaning weight, from 0.25 to 0.43 for yearling weight, and from 0.25 to 0.69 for weights from 2 to 10 years of age. The genetic correlations were high and positive, indicating that selection at any age will affect weights at the other ages. Conclusions The results suggest the possibility of genetic progress for weights at different ages and the use of the young weights to monitor the mature weight of the animals. Implications As the trait most strongly correlated with mature weight was yearling weight, already used as the selection criteria for females in the breeding program of the Instituto de Zootecnia, selection indexes should be derived to keep the mature cow weight constant, since heavier cows could be undesirable for pasture-based Brazilian production systems.

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Description and comparison of growth parameters in Chianina and Nelore cattle breeds

Genetics and Molecular Biology ◽

10.1590/s1415-47571999000200009 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 187-196 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sônia Mara Carrijo ◽

Francisco A. Moura Duarte

Keyword(s):

Inflection Point ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Von Bertalanffy Model ◽

Cattle Breeds ◽

Model Average ◽

Different Ages ◽

Mature Weight ◽

Nelore Cattle ◽

Weight Data

Weight data from birth to 18 months of age of Nelore and Chianina, both meat-producing cattle breeds, were analyzed. Data were corrected for significant effects of environment and utilized to estimate genetic parameters through the non-linear von Bertalanffy model. Average values found for growth parameters in Nelore were: mature weight (A), 312.87 kg; integration constant (B), 0.49; maturity rate (k), 0.13; age at inflection point (T(I)), 3.29 months; weight at inflection point (P(I)), 92.70 kg, and maturity interval (1/k), 8.04 months. For the Chianina animals, the values were 751.38 kg, 0.59, 0.10, 6.64 months, 222.63 kg, and 10.98 months, respectively. Nelore animals exhibited higher maturity rate, smaller maturity intervals, reaching mature weights younger than Chianina animals, although lighter than these at maturity. Heritability estimates presented low values, mainly for mature weight (0.093 and 0.212), age at inflection point (0.062 and 0.202), weight at inflection point (0.093 and 0.212) and maturity interval (0.057 and 0.309) (for Nelore and Chianina, respectively). The parameters mature weight and weight at inflection point presented positive genetic correlations with weights at different ages and with similar trends, increasing as age increased, in both breeds. Considering the development period analyzed, from birth to 18 months of age, the parameter maturity rate and the weights at different ages showed genetic correlations which increased until the weight at 150 and 205 days in Nelore and Chianina, respectively, and decreased from these ages on, and the genetic correlations among the parameter maturity interval and the weights at different ages were negative. They decreased until the weights at 150 and 205 days, respectively, in Nelore and Chianina, and increased from these ages on.

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PSVIII-38 Late-Breaking Abstract: Estimating genetic parameters of feed efficiency traits in American mink

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa278.612 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽

pp. 347-347

Author(s):

Pourya Davoudi ◽

Duy Ngoc Do ◽

Guoyu Hu ◽

Siavash Salek Ardestani ◽

Younes Miar

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Genetic Correlation ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

American Mink ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Final Body Weight ◽

Selection For

Abstract Feed cost is the major input cost in the mink industry and thus improvement of feed efficiency through selection for high feed efficient mink is necessary for the mink farmers. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations for different feed efficiency measures, including final body weight (FBW), daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). For this purpose, 1,088 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research at Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture were recorded for daily feed intake and body weight from August 1 to November 14 in 2018 and 2019. The univariate models were used to test the significance of sex, birth year and color as fixed effects, and dam as a random effect. Genetic parameters were estimated via bivariate models using ASReml-R version 4. Estimates of heritabilities (±SE) were 0.41±0.10, 0.37±0.11, 0.33±0.14, 0.24±0.09 and 0.22±0.09 for FBW, DFI, ADG, FCR and RFI, respectively. The genetic correlation (±SE) was moderate to high between FCR and RFI (0.68±0.15) and between FCR and ADG (-0.86±0.06). In addition, RFI had low non-significant (P > 0.05) genetic correlations with ADG (0.04 ± 0.26) and BW (0.16 ± 0.24) but significant (P < 0.05) high genetic correlation with DFI (0.74 ± 0.11) indicating that selection for lower RFI will reduce feed intake without adverse effects on the animal size and growth rate. The results suggested that RFI can be implemented in genetic/genomic selection programs to reduce feed intake in the mink production system.

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(Co)variance components and genetic parameters for growth rate and Kleiber ratio in fat-tailed Mehraban sheep

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.7482/0003-9438-56-055 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 564-572 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

F. Ghafouri-Kesbi

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Variance Components ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Phenotypic Variance ◽

Genetic Progress ◽

Kleiber Ratio ◽

Derivative Free ◽

Maternal Heritability

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADGa), weaning to 6 months (ADGb), weaning to 9 months (ADGc), 6 months to 9 months (ADGd) and corresponding Kleiber ratios (KRa, KRb, KRc and KRd) in Mehraban sheep. A derivative-free algorithm combined with a series of six univariate linear animal models was used to estimate phenotypic variance and its direct, maternal and residual components. In addition, bivariate analyses were done to estimate (co)variance components between traits. Estimates of direct heritability (h2) were 0.10, 0.11, 0.16, 0.09, 0.13, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.08 for ADGa, ADGb, ADGc, ADGd, KRa, KRb, KRc and KRd, respectively and indicate that in Mehraban sheep genes contribute very little to the variance of the growth rate and Kleiber ratio. Estimates of maternal heritability (m2) were 0.10, 0.08 and 0.05 for ADGa, KRa and KRb, respectively. Direct additive genetic correlations ranged from −0.32 (KRa-KRd) to 0.99 (ADGb-KRb) and phenotypic correlations ranged from −0.53 (ADGa- ADGd) to 0.99 (ADGa-KRa). Estimates of direct heritability and genetic correlations show that genetic improvement in efficiency of feed utilization through selection programmes is possible, though it would generate a relatively slow genetic progress.

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Estimates of (co)variances due to direct and maternal effects for body weights in Timahdite sheep

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800052553 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 409-414 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

I. Boujenane ◽

J. Kansari

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Early Growth ◽

Genetic Effects ◽

Direct Effects ◽

Genetic Progress ◽

Body Weights ◽

Cross Correlations ◽

Maternal Heritability

AbstractGenetic parameters for body weights in Timahdite sheep were estimated using records of 10370 lambs from the ‘Société Nationale de Développement de l’Elevage’ born in 1988-89 to 1998-99. An animal model with derivativefree restricted maximum likelihood procedures was used. Random effects were direct and maternal additive genetic, maternal permanent environmental, and error. Direct and maternal heritability estimates were 0·05 and 0·05 for birth weight, 0·02 and 0·07 for weight at 30 days, 0·07 and 0·08 for weight at 70 days, 0·06 and 0·01 for weight at 90 days. Estimates of fraction of variance due to maternal permanent environmental effects were close to zero, except for weight at 90 days. Genetic correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects were –0·55, –0·51, –0·50 and –0·17 for body weights at birth, 30, 70 and 90 days, respectively. Estimates of direct genetic correlations among body weights were positive and high, ranging from 0·69 to unity. Phenotypic correlations were positive and moderate to high, being lower than their corresponding direct genetic correlations. Estimates of correlations between maternal genetic effects among weights were positive and high, varying from 0·79 to unity. Cross-correlations between direct genetic effects for one weight and maternal genetic effects for another weight were consistently negative, ranging from –0·05 to –0·63. These results indicate that selecting for improved maternal and/or direct effects in Timahdite sheep is expected to generate only slow genetic progress in terms of early growth.

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PSXII-29 Evaluation of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep under accelerated lambing using purebred and terminal sire mating: Lamb survival and body weight

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.860 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 488-489

Author(s):

Stephan Wildeus ◽

Tom Murphy ◽

Dahlia O’Brien

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Mating System ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Production Systems ◽

Management Tool ◽

Birth Month ◽

Increase Productivity ◽

Lamb Survival ◽

Terminal Sire ◽

Birth Type

Abstract Objectives were to evaluate lamb survival and body weight (BW) under an accelerated, pasture-lambing system. Lambs were born to Barbados Blackbelly (BB) or St. Croix dams (SC) mated within breed (purebred) or to Dorset (terminal) in single sire mating groups. Lambs were born in April (2013 and 2015), December (2013 and 2015), and August (2014 and 2016) and weaned at 9 weeks of age. Traits considered were BW at birth (BW0; n = 959), 65-d adjusted weaning BW (BW65; n = 788), and survival to weaning (n = 959). Data were analyzed with fixed effects of dam age, sex, birth type, dam breed (BB vs SC), dam mating system (purebred vs terminal), birth month-year, and significant two-way interactions and a random dam effect. Dam breed did not impact BW65 (P = 0.09). While BW0 was greater for lambs born to SC than BB dams (3.44 vs 3.23 kg; P < 0.01), survival to weaning was greater for lambs born to BB than SC dams (0.93 vs. 0.87; P = 0.02). The dam mating system x birth month-year interaction was significant for both BW traits (P ≤ 0.01). Within birth month-year, BW0 was 18 to 24% greater and BW65 was 12 to 24% greater for terminal than purebred lambs (P < 0.01). However, BW0 differences between dam mating systems were greatest for August born lambs whereas BW65 differences were greatest for April born lambs. Lamb survival was not affected by dam mating system or birth month-year (P ≥ 0.27). Using a terminal sire improved BW without affecting survival of lambs reared by landrace hair sheep dams, making this a viable management tool to increase productivity of forage-based production systems.

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Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Pork Quality, Novel Carcass, Primal-Cut and Growth Traits in Duroc Pigs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050779 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 779 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hannah E. Willson ◽

Hinayah Rojas de Oliveira ◽

Allan P. Schinckel ◽

Daniela Grossi ◽

Luiz F. Brito

Keyword(s):

Genetic Parameters ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Low Cost ◽

Selection Index ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Pork Quality ◽

Production Traits ◽

Genetic Progress ◽

Selection Indexes

More recently, swine breeding programs have aimed to include pork quality and novel carcass (e.g., specific primal cuts such as the Boston butt or belly that are not commonly used in selection indexes) and belly traits together with growth, feed efficiency and carcass leanness in the selection indexes of terminal-sire lines, in order to efficiently produce pork with improved quality at a low cost to consumers. In this context, the success of genetic selection for such traits relies on accurate estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations between traits. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 39 traits in Duroc pigs (three growth, eight conventional carcass (commonly measured production traits; e.g., backfat depth), 10 pork quality and 18 novel carcass traits). Phenotypic measurements were collected on 2583 purebred Duroc gilts, and the variance components were estimated using both univariate and bivariate models and REML procedures. Moderate to high heritability estimates were found for most traits, while genetic correlations tended to be low to moderate overall. Moderate to high genetic correlations were found between growth, primal-cuts and novel carcass traits, while low to moderate correlations were found between pork quality and growth and carcass traits. Some genetic antagonisms were observed, but they are of low to moderate magnitude. This indicates that genetic progress can be achieved for all traits when using an adequate selection index.

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Comparison of models for estimating genetic parameters and predicting breeding values for birth weight and calving ease in Czech Charolais cattle

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/7529-cjas ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (No. 7) ◽

pp. 302-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

L. Vostrý ◽

Z. Veselá ◽

A. Svitáková ◽

H. Vostrá Vydrová

Keyword(s):

Animal Model ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Genetic Effects ◽

Parameters Estimation ◽

Calving Ease ◽

Heritability Estimates

The most appropriate model for genetic parameters estimation for calving ease and birth weight in beef cattle was selected. A total of 27 402 field records were available from the Czech Charolais breed. For estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and body weight, three bivariate models were tested: a linear-linear animal model (L-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 – easy; 2–4 – most difficult), a linear-linear animal model (SC-LM) in which calving ease scores were transformed into Snell scores (Snell 1964) and expressed as percentage of assisted calving (ranging 0–100%), and a bivariate threshold-linear animal model (T-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 – easy, 2–4 – most difficult). All tested models included fixed effects for contemporary group (herd × year × season), age of dam, sex and breed of a calf. Random effects included direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental effect, and residual error. Direct heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.096 ± 0.013 to 0.226 ± 0.024 and from 0.210 ± 0.024 to 0.225 ± 0.026, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.060 ± 0.031 to 0.104 ± 0.125 and from 0.074 ± 0.041 to 0.075 ± 0.040, respectively. Genetic correlations of direct calving ease with direct birth weight ranged from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 0.50 ± 0.06 for all tested models; whereas maternal genetic correlations between these two traits ranged from 0.24 ± 0.17 to 0.25 ± 0.53. Correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects within-trait were negative and substantial for all tested models (ranging from –0.574 ± 0.125 to –0.680 ± 0.141 for calving ease and from –0.553 ± 0.122 to –0.558 ± 0.118 for birth weight, respectively), illustrating the importance of including this parameter in calving ease evaluations. Results indicate that any of the tested models could be used to reliably estimate genetic parameters for calving ease for beef cattle in the Czech Republic. However, because of advantages in computation time and practical considerations, genetic analysis using SC-LM (transformed data) is recommended.

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Genetic parameters for tropical beef cattle in northern Australia: a review

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9930179 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 179 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

GP Davis

Keyword(s):

Genetic Parameters ◽

Production Systems ◽

Bos Taurus ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Environmental Stresses ◽

Northern Australia ◽

Weighted Mean ◽

Weaning Weight ◽

Reproduction Traits

This paper reviews published estimates of genetic parameters for traits of growth, reproduction and resistance to environmental stresses for Bos indicus and Zebu derived breeds in northern Australia. Most published estimates of heritabilities for growth and reproduction traits were higher for tropically adapted breeds in northern Australia than for Bos taurus breeds in temperate Australia. Weighted mean estimates of heritabilities for the direct component of weaning weight were 39% for the Brahman breed and 30% for Zebu-derived breeds in northern Australia compared with 13% for Bos taurus breeds in temperate areas of Australia. Mean estimates for the maternal component of weaning weight were 5, 24 and 13% respectively. Mean heritabilities for yearling and 550 day weights for Zebu derived breeds in northern Australia (24 and 25%) were similar to those for Bos taurus breeds in temperate areas, though estimates for Brahmans were higher (39 and 39%). Published estimates of heritabilities of later weights (700 and 900 days), which are most relevant to northern Australian production systems, were rare but averaged between 32 and 45% for Zebu-derived breeds and Brahmans. Weighted mean heritability for female calving success was 14% and for realised bull fertility was 5%. Published estimates of heritabilities of scrota1 circumference averaged 31%, and testosterone response to GNRH stimulation was 52%. Heritabilities of resistance to various environmental stresses were all moderate with weighted means between 20 and 34%. Genetic correlations between growth, reproduction and resistance to environmental stresses are also reviewed. There appears to be predictable variation in estimates of parameters between breeds in different environments which is related to level of resistance to environmental stresses, and this is likely to affect the prediction of breeding values for cattle in northern Australia.

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Genetic parameters among growth and carcass traits of Canadian Charolais cattle

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a04-019 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 589-597 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

D. H. Crews ◽

Jr., M. Lowerison ◽

N. Caron ◽

R. A. Kemp

Keyword(s):

Fixed Effects ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Field Performance ◽

Pedigree Data ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Muscle Area

Genetic parameters for three growth and five carcass traits were estimated for Charolais using a combination of carcass progeny test, purebred field performance and pedigree data. Heritabilities and genetic and residual correlations were derived from variance components for birth weight (BWT, n = 54 221), 205-d weaning weight (WT205, n = 31 384), postweaning gain (PWG, n = 19 403), hot carcass weight (HCW, n = 6958), average subcutaneous fat thickness (FAT, n = 6866), longissimus muscle area (REA, n = 6863), marbling score (MAR, n = 6903) and estimated carcass lean yield percentage (PLY, n = 6852) with an animal model (n = 78 728) and restricted maximum likelihood. Breed of dam and contemporary group appropriate to each trait were included as fixed effects in the model, whereas random effects included direct genetic for all traits, maternal genetic for BWT and WT205, and maternal permanent environmental for WT205. Carcass traits were adjusted to a constant harvest age of 425 d. Heritability estimates of 0.53, 0.22, and 0.21 were obtained for direct components of BWT, WT205, and PWG, respectively, and maternal heritabilities were 0.16 and 0.10 for BWT and WT205, respectively. Direct × maternal genetic correlations for BWT (-0.49) and WT205 (-0.35) were negative. Heritabilities for HCW, FAT, REA, MAR, and PLY were 0.33, 0.39, 0.43, 0.34, and 0.46, respectively. Genetic correlations among direct effects for growth traits were moderately positive and generally uncorrelated with maternal effects across traits. Lean and fat deposition in the carcass generally had negative, unfavorable genetic correlations, although improvement in lean yield and marbling score may not be strongly antagonistic. Genetic correlations of direct and maternal components of growth traits with carcass traits suggested that selection for increased growth rate would not be antagonistic to improvement in carcass yield or meat quality. Key words: Carcass, Charolais, correlation, genetic parameters, growth

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Genetic parameters of milk traits in Latxa dairy sheep

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800058379 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 73 (3) ◽

pp. 407-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

A. Legarra ◽

E. Ugarte

Keyword(s):

Milk Fat ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Selection Criterion ◽

Genetic Effect ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Additive Genetic Effect ◽

Dairy Sheep ◽

Milk Traits

AbstractA total of 7444 lactation records which include milk, fat and protein yields (MY, FY, PY) and fat and protein content (F%, P%) from 6429 Black-Faced Latxa ewes were employed to estimate genetic parameters for milk traits. Traits were standardized to 120 days of lactation. For the calculation of composition traits, not all test-days had their composition measured and therefore a correction taking this into account was included in the analysis. A first-derivative restricted maximum likelihood algorithm was used on an animal model with repeatability analysis, using models including fixed effects (flock-year-season of lambing, age-parity at lambing, number of lambs, interval between lambing and first milk recording and the combination of sampled test-days) and random effects (the additive genetic effect and the permanent environmental effect). The resulting heritabilities were 0·20, 0·16, 0·18, 0·14 and 0·38 for MY, FY, PY, F% and P% respectively. Heritability of F% was much lower than expected, probably due to problems derived from the recording method. Genetic correlations were high and positive between yields and moderately positive between F% and P%, and negative or null between yields and composition, as has been reported for other European dairy sheep breeds. As most of the milk produced by Latxa dairy sheep is processed into cheese, the inclusion of milk sampling in official milk recording and a change in the selection criterion are recommended to avoid a long-term worsening in milk composition.

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