Across population genetic parameters for wool, growth, and reproduction traits in Australian Merino sheep. 2. Estimates of heritability and variance components

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Safari ◽  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
A. R. Gilmour ◽  
K. D. Atkins ◽  
S. I. Mortimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Variance Components ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Australian Merino

Precise estimates of genetic parameters are required for genetic evaluation systems. This study combined data from 7 research resource flocks across Australia to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for production traits in the Australian Merino sheep. The flocks were maintained for several generations and represented contemporary Australian Merino fine, medium, and broad wool bloodlines over the past 30 years. Over 110 000 records were available for analysis for each of the major wool traits, and 50 000 records for reproduction and growth traits with over 2700 sires and 25 000 dams. A linear mixed animal model was used to analyse 6 wool traits comprising clean fleece weight (CFW), greasy fleece weight (GFW), fibre diameter (FD), yield (YLD), coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (CVFD), and standard deviation of fibre diameter (SDFD), 4 growth traits comprising birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), yearling weight (YWT), and hogget weight (HWT), and 4 reproduction traits comprising fertility (FER), litter size (LS), lambs born per ewe joined (LB/EJ), and lambs weaned per ewe joined (LW/EJ). The range of direct heritability estimates for the wool traits was 0.42 ± 0.01 for CFW to 0.68 ± 0.01 for FD. For growth traits the range was 0.18 ± 0.01 for BWT to 0.38 ± 0.01 for HWT, and for reproduction traits 0.045 ± 0.01 for FER to 0.074 ± 0.01 for LS. Significant maternal effects were found for wool and growth, but not reproduction traits. There was significant covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects for all wool and growth traits except for YWT. The correlations between direct and maternal effects ranged from –0.60 ± 0.02 for GFW to –0.21 ± 0.10 for SDFD in the wool traits and from –0.21 ± 0.03 for WWT to 0.25 ± 0.08 for HWT in the growth traits. Litter effects were significant for all wool and growth traits and only for LS in reproduction traits. The mating sire was fitted in the models for reproduction traits and this variance component accounted for 21, 17, and 8% of the total phenotypic variation for FER, LB/EJ, and LW/EJ, respectively. The implications of additional significant variance components for the estimation of heritability are discussed.

Across population genetic parameters for wool, growth, and reproduction traits in Australian Merino sheep. 1. Data structure and non-genetic effects

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Safari ◽  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
A. R. Gilmour ◽  
K. D. Atkins ◽  
S. I. Mortimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Growth And Reproduction ◽  
Australian Merino

Accurate estimates of adjustment factors for systematic environmental effects are required for genetic evaluation systems. This study combined data from 7 research resource flocks across Australia to estimate genetic parameters and investigate the significance of various environmental factors for production traits in Australian Merino sheep. The flocks were maintained for several generations and represented contemporary Australian Merino fine, medium, and broad wool bloodlines over the past 30 years. Over 110 000 records were available for analysis for each of the major wool traits, with over 2700 sires and 25 000 dams. Univariate linear mixed animal models were used to analyse 6 wool, 4 growth, and 4 reproduction traits. This first paper outlines the data structure and the non-genetic effects of age of the animal, age of dam, birth-rearing type, sex, flock, bloodline, and year, which were significant with few exceptions for all production traits. Age of dam was not significant for reproduction traits and fleece yield. Generally, wool, growth, and reproduction traits need to be adjusted for age, birth-rearing type, and age of dam before the estimation of breeding values for pragmatic and operational reasons. Adjustment for animal age in wool traits needs to be applied for clean fleece weight (CFW), greasy fleece weight (GFW), and fibre diameter (FD) with inclusion of 2 age groups (2 years old and >2 years old), but for reproduction traits, inclusion of all age groups is more appropriate. For GFW, CFW, and hogget weight (HWT), adjustment for only 2 dam age groups of maiden and mature ewes seems sufficient, whereas for birth (BWT), weaning (WWT), and yearling (YWT) weights, adjustments need to be applied for all dam age groups. Adjustment for birth-rearing type (single-single, multiple-single, multiple-multiple) is appropriate for wool, growth, and reproduction traits. The implications of adjustment for non-genetic effects are discussed.

Genetic studies of South Australian Merino sheep. 3. Heritabilities of various wool and body traits

1982 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
IP Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Skin Thickness ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Main Production ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Australian Merino ◽  
Staple Length

Heritabilities have been estimated for a large number of quantitative and qualitative wool and body traits recorded on two flocks of South Australian Merino sheep over a 12-year period. Data were unadjusted for fixed environmental effects and so the estimates are applicable to the heterogeneous populations found in most practical situations. Dam-offspring heritabilities of quantitative traits ranged from 0.15 for primary follicle number to 0.63 for body weight. Greasy and clean fleece weights, percentage clean yield, staple length, crimps per inch, fibre diameter, secondary and total follicle number, skin thickness, coefficient of variation of fibre diameter and secondary/primary follicle ratio had moderate to high heritabilities. Dam-offspring heritabilities of qualitative traits ranged from 0.12 for weather damage of the fleece to 0.75 for birthcoat. Total folds, face cover and hocks had high heritabilities, and wool character, type of staple formation and wool quality had moderate heritabilities. The main production traits (body weight, greasy fleece weight, yield, clean fleece weight, staple length, fibre diameter and total follicle number) were corrected for variation due to type of birth and age of dam and their heritabilities re-estimated. No change occurred in the half-sib heritabilities; dam-offspring heritabilities increased by an average of 0.05.

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for lamb and hogget traits in a flock of South Australian Merino sheep

1987 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
JRW Walkley ◽  
RW Ponzoni ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
National Performance ◽  
Adjustment Factors ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
Australian Merino ◽  
Birth Type

The heritability of and phenotypic and genetic correlations among weaning weight (WW). greasy fleece weight (GFW), scouring yield (YLD), clean fleece weight (CFW), fibre diameter (FD), crimps per inch (CR) and staple length (SL) were estimated in a flock consisting of a control and 2 selection lines of South Australian Merino sheep. The effects of type of rearing, age of dam and sex were also examined. Estimates were compared with those currently in use in WOOLPLAN (National Performance Recording Scheme for non-pedigreed sheep) and in other studies. In general, agreement between the present study and other estimates was good, but there were some exceptions, namely: (i) standard deviation of GFW and FD; (ii) 'adjustment factors' for day of birth, type of rearing and age of dam for GFW, CFW and liveweight traits; (iii) heritability of YLD; (iv) phenotypic correlations of GFW and CFW with FD, and between YLD and CFW and (v) genetic correlations of WW with GFW, CFW and FD. It is concluded that special attention should be given to these exceptions in order to decide whether alterations to current 'accepted' parameter values are justified.

Resistance to nematode parasites in Merino sheep: correlation with production traits

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Eady ◽  
R. R. Woolaston ◽  
R. W. Ponzoni ◽  
R. P. Lewer ◽  
H. W. Raadsma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Variance Components ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Nematode Parasites ◽  
Faecal Egg Count ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fleece Weight

Merino sheep representing a range of bloodlines in resource flocks located across Australia were tested for resistance to gastro-intestinal nematodes. These flocks included the JB Pye Flock (Camden, NSW), Katanning Base Flock (Katanning, WA), Turretfield Merino Resource Flock (Rosedale, SA), and the CSIRO Finewool Flock (Armidale, NSW) and included a total of 328 sire groups. Resistance to nematodes was measured by faecal egg count (FEC). Data were also available for greasy and clean fleece weight (GFW and CFW, respectively), fibre diameter (FD), and body weight (BW) at a range of ages from weaning to 21 months. Variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, fitting an animal model and estimating covariances in a series of bivariate analyses. Phenotypic correlations between FEC0·33 and production traits were all close to zero ( –0·09–0·02). Genetic correlations between FEC0·33 and production traits were –0·20, –0·18, and –0·26 for weaning weight, 10-month BW, and 16-month BW, respectively; 0·21, –0·06, and 0·21 for 10-month GFW, 16-month GFW, and 21-month GFW; 0·21, –0·05, and 0·07 for 10-month CFW, 16-month CFW, and 21-month CFW; and –0·09, –0·12, and 0·04 for 10-month FD, 16-month FD, and 21-month FD. When estimates were pooled for all fleece traits and all BW traits, the genetic correlations between FEC0·33 and GFW, CFW, FD, and BW were 0·15, 0·10, –0·06, and –0·21, respectively. Using pooled estimates for CFW, FD, and BW, selection for a breeding objective based on production traits alone would lead to an unfavourable correlated response in FEC0·33 of approximately 1% per year.

Effects of inbreeding on four families of Peppin Merinos

1957 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Doney
Keyword(s):  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Fibre Number ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Australian Merino

The influence of inbreeding on several fleece and body characters in a strain of Australian Merino sheep is reported. The four families from which data were taken were derived from a single strain of Peppin Merinos. Inbreeding without selection has been carried on since the foundation of the families between 1939 and 1944. Inbreeding is responsible for a reduction in body size, fertility, greasy and clean fleece weight, and wrinkle score, but has relatively little influence on the fleece components (yield, staple length, fibre diameter, and density of fibre population). It follows that the reduction in fleece weight is a direct consequence of a decrease in total fibre number. Since the reduction in fibre number is likely to be a correlated effect of low pre-natal and early post-natal growth rates, it is suggested that the inbreeding has had no genetic effect on the several independent systems involved in adult wool production but has affected only those associated with fitness and vigour. The depression due to inbreeding therefore may not be caused by specific gene fixation but by increased homozygosity per se.

Genetic studies of South Australian Merino sheep. 2. Environmental effects on wool and body traits at 15-16 months of age

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
IP Gregory ◽  
RW Ponzoni
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Main Production ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Australian Merino

The effects of years, sex, type of birth (i.e. whether or not multiple birth) and age of dam on 26 wool and body traits of South Australian Merino sheep were estimated by least-squares analysis. Years and sex had highly significant effects on all traits. Of the main production traits, type of birth had a significant effect on body weight, greasy and clean fleece weight and total wool follicle number, while age of dam only had a significant effect on body weight and greasy fleece weight. The possible consequences of failing to correct body weight and greasy and clean fleece weights for type of birth and age of dam were considered and it was concluded that, although in some years correction of these traits may not be warranted, in other years correction may be necessary to prevent selection against fecundity and an increase in the generation interval. The main components contributing to the 6.0 % difference between fleece weights of singles and twins were surface area, total follicle number and wrinkle score. The difference between fleece weights of animals from older ewes and animals from maidens was only 1.5 %; surface area was the main contributor to this deviation.

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for reproduction, production and bodyweight traits in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Dominik ◽  
A. A. Swan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Definition Of

The present study estimated phenotypic and genetic relationships between wool production, reproduction and bodyweight traits in Australian fine-wool Merino sheep. The data for the study originated from the CSIRO Fine Wool Project, Armidale, Australia. Data on wool characteristics, measured at ~10 and 22 months of age, bodyweight and several reproduction traits across consecutive lambing opportunities were analysed. The genetic correlations were moderately negative between fibre diameter measured as yearling and adult, and lamb survival (rg = –0.34 ± 0.15 and rg = –0.28 ± 0.14 respectively) and total number of lambs weaned (rg = –0.32 ± 0.21 and rg = –0.40 ± 0.21 respectively). The genetic correlations of yearling and adult greasy and clean fleece weights with number of lambs weaned and fecundity showed moderately to highly negative relationships and a moderately negative correlation with the number of fetuses at pregnancy scanning. Phenotypic correlations between reproduction and wool production traits were estimated to be zero, with the exception of bodyweight showing low to moderate positive phenotypic correlations with total number of lambs born and weaned. Genetic variances were generally low for the reproduction traits and resulted in low heritability estimates (from h2 = 0.03 ± 0.01 to h2 = 0.12 ± 0.13), with the exception of total number of lambs born (h2 = 0.25 ± 0.03). The study indicated that parameter estimation and trait definition of lifetime reproduction records require careful consideration and more work in this area is required.

Response to selection in Australian Merino sheep. VII. Phenotypic and genetic parameters for some wool follicle characteristics and their correlation with wool and body traits

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 937 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Jackson ◽  
T Nay ◽  
HN Turner ◽  
Turner H Newton
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Genetic Control ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Environmental Correlations ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Wool Follicle ◽  
Australian Merino

Four numerical characteristics-follicle depth, follicle curvature, number of follicles per unit area of skin, and ratio of number of secondary to number of primary follicles-describing the size, shape, and arrangement of wool follicles have been measured in Peppin Merino sheep at 4-5 months (weaning), 15-16 months (two-tooth shearing) and at later ages ranging from 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 years. Estimates of their repeatability, heritability and phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations with 10 wool and body characteristics are reported. All four follicle characteristics were found to be highly inherited and sufficiently correlated with wool characteristics to be of interest to both the wool biologist and the sheep breeder. Fixed environmental effects influenced the expression of some follicle characteristics, while others, notably follicle curvature at any age, were unaffected, and therefore potentially more useful as practical selection aids. Groups of sheep selected for clean wool weight with control of (i) fibre diameter and wrinkle score, and (li) crimp frequency and wrinkle score, exhibited changes in the four follicle characteristics, which agreed with what the genetic correlation estimates would predict. The role of follicle characteristics in the biology of genetic control of wool growth is portrayed by fitting causal models invoking follicle characteristics as intermediates between the gene and the wool character. The analysis separates three independent genetic control systems, the identity of which corresponds closely to factors postulated in previous theoretical studies.

scholarly journals Genetic parameters for wool traits in Finnsheep lambs

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
M-L. PUNTILA ◽  
K. MÄKI ◽  
A. NYLANDER
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Variance Components ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Component Estimation ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Staple Length

Genetic parameters were estimated for wool characteristics of white and coloured Finnsheep. The data consisted of 5 309 lambs from ordinary production flocks, the Finnsheep nucleus flock and a breeding flock. The variance component estimation was done applying REML analyses. Wool traits included fleece uniformity, density, staple formation, lustre, crimp frequency, fineness grade and staple length. There was a smaller dataset that contained also lamb live weight, greasy fleece weight and additional fleece characteristics including fibre diameter measured with the OFDA method. The variance components for direct and maternal effects were estimated using bivariate analysis for 42-day, 120-day weight and greasy fleece weight. Heritability for visually assessed wool characteristics varied from 0.23 to 0.43 and for measured traits from 0.45 to 0.62. Staple length had a high negative genetic correlation with crimp frequency and fineness grade. Heritability of greasy fleece weight was high (0.55) and that of fibre diameter 0.62. The genetic correlation between crimp frequency and fibre diameter was negative (- 0.56). The results imply that the assessed traits are useful indicators for fleece quality and those of major importance can be introduced into the breeding programme. The results suggest that there is no antagonism in selection for both growth capacity and wool quantity.;

Comparison of estimates of repeatability and heritability for some production traits in Merino rams and ewes. 2. Heritability

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 604 ◽  
Author(s):  
SSY Young ◽  
Turner H Newton ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Lower Figure ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Australian Merino ◽  
Staple Length

Heritability estimates were calculated for 10 traits in rams and ewes of a medium-woolled strain of Australian Merino sheep. The traits were greasy wool weight, clean scoured yield, clean wool weight, body weight, wrinkle score, face cover score, fibre population density, fibre diameter, staple length, and crimps per inch. Estimates were made by dam-offspring correlations, measurement on the dams being at 15-16 months, on daughters at 15-16 months, and on sons at both 10-12 and 15-16 months. All estimates for both sexes lay between 0.3 and 0.6, except for fibre population density (0.24) and fibre diameter (0.12) in rams at 15-16 months and for clean wool weight (0.29) and face cover score (0.29) in rams at 10-12 months. The only significant sex difference lay in the lower figure for fibre diameter in rams at 15-16 months, but this is of doubtful importance as the corresponding figure for rams at 10-12 months (0.37) did not differ significantly from the ewe figure. All traits may be considered highly heritable, and the high values for the yearling rams indicate that consideration might be given to the selection of rams for production traits at an earlier age than the traditional one of 18 months or older.

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