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

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 347-347
Author(s):  
Pourya Davoudi ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Siavash Salek Ardestani ◽  
Younes Miar

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.

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 24-25
Author(s):  
Pourya Davoudi ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Siavash Salek Ardestani ◽  
Younes Miar

Abstract Feed costs are the largest expense in mink production systems. Therefore, improvement of feed efficiency (FE) is the best way to use limited resources efficiently and increase the mink industry’s sustainability. The objectives of this project are to 1) identify the genetic relationships among different FE measures and their component traits, and 2) discover the genetic architecture of FE and implement genomic selection for FE traits to increase the genetic gain in American mink. Final body weight (FBW), final body length (FBL), daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), residual gain (RG), residual intake and gain (RIG) and Kleiber ratio (KR) traits were measured based on the phenotypic records on 1,088 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research (Nova Scotia, Canada). Univariate models were applied to test the significance of sex, color type, age, and nested Row(Year) as fixed effects and random maternal effect. Genetic parameters were estimated via bivariate models using ASReml-R 4. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.38±0.10, 0.36±0.10, 0.25±0.10, 0.34±0.09, 0.38±0.08, 0.37±0.07, 0.29±0.10, 0.32±0.10 and 0.34±0.10 for FBW, FBL, DFI, ADG, FCR, RFI, RG, RIG and KR, respectively. RFI showed non-significant (P >0.05) genetic correlations with component traits such as FBW (0.00±0.17) and FBL (0.30±0.16) but significant (P < 0.05) high genetic correlation with DFI (0.74±0.09), indicating that selection based on RFI will reduce the feed intake without any negative effects on the size and growth. The estimated genetic parameters for FE traits suggested the possibility to implement genetic/genomic selection to improve the FE in American mink. Consequently, the ongoing project on genetic mapping and genomic selection will enhance the knowledge of FE and improve the efficacy of selection for more feed-efficient mink.


2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
S Islam ◽  
MA Hoque ◽  
MAMY Khandoker ◽  
NG Saha ◽  
A Akhtar

The present study was conducted using records on four breeding bulls maintained at the Artificial Insemination (AI) Center of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh and on 154 of their progeny maintained at BAU Dairy Farm (112) and some villages (42 progeny) adjacent to BAU for estimating the effect of breeding bulls and genetic parameters on early growth performance of the progeny at farm and field levels. Genetic correlations between traits of bulls and their progeny were also estimated. Bull traits were metabolic body weight (MWT), feed intake (FI) and residual feed intake (RFI) where progeny traits were birth weight (BWT), final body weight (FWT) at 90 days of age and average daily gain (ADG). Mean BWT of progeny at farm and field level was 16.34±1.85 to 17.62±1.97 kg and 13.89±2.78 to 16.11±2.98 kg, respectively. The FWT at farm progeny was 48.9±2.87 to 55.67±2.14 kg whereas 43.43±2.50 to 52.22±3.34 kg for field progeny. The ADG at farm and field progeny was 0.36±0.03 to 0.43±0.01 and 0.32±0.03 to 0.42±0.03 kg, respectively. The BWT and FWT of farm progeny were significantly (p>0.05) higher than the progeny of field level. Breeding bulls had significant (p<0.05) effect on FWT and ADG for both of the farm and field progeny. Estimated heritability was found to be moderate in case of BWT (0.32±0.19), but low for FWT (0.26±0.18) and ADG (0.29±0.20) for pooled average. The genetic correlation between bulls’ MWT and BWT was high (rg=0.54±0.17), but low with FWT(rg=0.26±0.18) and ADG (rg=0.28±0.23). Moderate in daily FI of bulls was genetically correlated with BWT (0.45±0.22), FWT (0.38±0.24) and ADG (0.35±0.25) for their progeny, while low but favorable negative genetic correlation (rg=-0.13±0.17) was observed between ADG of progeny and RFI of bulls. The negative correlation for RFI with ADG suggested that selection might result in better success in improving herd production efficiency without compromising progeny growth performance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i2.18484 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (2): 81-88 


2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. S. Schenkel ◽  
S. P. Miller ◽  
J. W. Wilton

Genetic associations between feed efficiency, growth, and live ultrasound measured body composition traits were studied in purebred beef bulls of six breeds in Ontario bull test stations from 1991 to 2000. Feed traits included average daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed intake [feed intake adjusted for production alone (RFIp) or production and backfat thickness (RFIb)]. Growth traits were average daily weight gain (ADG), mid-test metabolic weight (MW), hip height (HH), and scrotal circumference (SC). Body composition traits included ultrasound backfat thickness (BF), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and predicted percentage of intramuscular fat (IFAT). Bulls were measured every 28 d for weight and individual feed intake, and at the end of test for ultrasound body composition traits. Number of records per trait ranged from 2284 (FI) to 13 319 (ADG). Fixed effects of test group, breed and end of test age (within breed), and random effects of animal and herd of origin were modeled using REML bivariate analyses for all traits. Heritability estimates were moderate for all traits (0.30 to 0.55), except for IFAT (0.14). The genetic correlation between RFIp and RFIb was high (0.99) within breeds, but breeds ranked differently with respect to RFIp and RFIb. Genetic correlations of RFIb with ADG and backfat thickness were essentially zero, which indicate that selection on residual feed intake could be implemented to reduce feed intake and improve feed conversion without compromising growth or changing levels of subcutaneous fat. Key words: Central test, genetic correlation, heritability, residual feed intake


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Kennedy ◽  
J. C. M. Dekkers ◽  
R. K. Moore ◽  
L. Jairath

Production and feed intake data on 36 115 first lactation Holstein cows obtained from Quebec Dairy Herd Analysis Service were combined with conformation data from the Holstein Association of Canada to estimate genetic correlations among production, energy intake, and conformation traits. Traits considered were 305-d milk yield, 305-d grain energy and total energy intake, feed efficiency (fat corrected milk yield/total energy intake), body weight at calving, capacity, size, stature, rump width and final score. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated using Restricted Maximum Likelihood based on two-trait animal mixed model analyses. The model contained fixed effects of herd-year, season of calving, age of calving, sire group and a random animal genetic effect. Estimates of heritability were within the published range for all traits. Of the conformation traits examined, capacity, size and stature had the highest correlations with body weight, with phenotypic correlations between 0.36 and 0.43, and genetic correlations between 0.61 and 0.79. Feed efficiency was negatively correlated to all body size measures, both phenotypically (−0.01 to −0.29) and genetically (−0.31 to −0.53), but most significantly with body weight, capacity, size, and stature. Fat-corrected milk yield showed negligible phenotypic and low to moderately negative genetic (−0.07 to −0.29) correlations with body weight and related type traits. Total energy intake was positively related to all measures of body size, most notably body weight, while grain energy intake had moderately negative genetic correlations (−0.20 to −0.40) with the same body size traits. Because of their detrimental relationships with feed efficiency, negative selection emphasis should be placed on body weight and the related type traits capacity, size and stature. Capacity, size and stature are of moderate utility when selecting indirectly for body weight, total energy intake and feed efficiency. Key words: Dairy cattle, genetics, production, conformation, feed efficiency


1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
BH Yoo ◽  
BL Sheldon ◽  
RN Podger

An exponential curve, W = P-Qexp(- Rt), where W is egg weight at age t, was fitted to egg weights of individual pullets, and genetic parameters were estimated for P, Q and R, the residual standard deviation and other egg weight and egg production characters. The data consisted of records collected over six generations on more than 4000 pullets in two selection lines and a control line which originated from a synthetic gene pool of White Leghorn x Australorp crosses. The half-sib and offspring-on-parent regression estimates of heritability pooled over the lines were 0.23 and 0.33 for P, 0.14 and 0.20 for Q, and 0.14 and 0.25 for R. Genetic correlations were estimated to be -0.10 between P and Q, -0.46 between P and R, and 0.90 between Q and R. These estimates suggest that the egg weight v. age curve may be modified to increase the proportion of eggs in desirable weight grades and reduce the incidence of oversized eggs later in the production year. The genetic correlation between mean weight of first 10 eggs and egg weight at 62 weeks of age was estimated to be 0.68, further suggesting that early egg weight may be improved partly independently of late egg weight. The heritability estimates of egg mass output were not higher than those of egg number in spite of the highly heritable average egg weight being an important component of egg mass, probably because of the negative genetic correlation (r = -0.49) between egg number and average egg weight. The standard deviation of individual pullet's egg weights was moderately heritable and genetically correlated positively with egg weight characters and negatively with egg production; these estimates were consistent with the responses to selection for reduced egg weight variability observed elsewhere


1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Mavrogenis ◽  
A. Louca ◽  
O. W. Robison

ABSTRACTData on 792 Chios lambs born during the 1972/73 and 1973/74 lambing seasons were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for birth weight, weaning weight, age at weaning, pre-weaning daily gain, body weight at 5, 10, 15 and 20 weeks of age, and postweaning daily gain. Body weight at 15 weeks of age had the highest heritability estimate (0·73 ± 0·17) and that of post-weaning daily gain was also high (0·56 ± 0·15). Selection for either weight at 15 weeks or post-weaning daily gain would be expected to yield a greater response than selection for pre-weaning daily gain or weaning weight. Genetic correlations among weights and/or gains were positive (approximately 0·20). Phenotypic correlations among weights and gains were generally higher than genetic correlations. However, the correlation between pre— and post-weaning daily gain was small (0·08). Likewise, post-weaning daily gain had low correlations with all weights before 10 weeks. Age at weaning had moderate negative associations with all weights but a very low positive correlation with post-weaning daily gain.


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Q. Fan ◽  
J. W. Wilton ◽  
P. E. Colucci

Genetic parameters of feed intake and efficiency and production traits for lactating beef cows were estimated from data collected from 1980 to 1988 at the Elora Beef Research Centre, Guelph, Ontario. Estimates were obtained using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) with an individual animal model with year–season–treatment, sex of calf, parity, breeding system, covariate daily change of backfat depth and direct genetic and permanent environmental effects. The data included 1174 observations, 511 cows, 369 dam–maternal grand dam pairs and 245 sires of cows. Feed efficiency for milk was calculated as milk yield relative to energy consumed for milk and maintenance and residual feed consumption as estimated energy intake minus energy requirements as estimated by the National Research Council. Heritabilities for Herefords alone and total data, respectively, were estimated to be 0.02 and 0.11 for cow's daily ME intake (MEI), 0.26 and 0.26 for daily milk yield (DMY), 0.45 and 0.33 for milk fat percentage (MFP), 0.29 and 0.40 for metabolic body weight (MBW), 0.21 and 0.10 for calf weaning weight as a proportion of cow weight at weaning (PPW), 0.18 and 0.11 for feed efficiency for milk (FE), and 0.23 and 0.03 for residual feed consumption (RFC). Genetic correlations of output (DMY) and input (MEI) were 0.31 for Hereford and 0.75 for the total data. Genetic correlations of RFC with both output (DMY) and input (MEI) were low. Genetically, PPW was positively associated with FE and DMY and negatively associated with MBW. Key words: Genetic parameters, feed efficiency, lactation, beef cow


Genetics ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 709-726
Author(s):  
J J Rutledge ◽  
E J Eisen ◽  
J E Legates

ABSTRACT Heritability and genetic correlations realized from both single-trait and antagonistic index selection were compared with paternal half-sib estimates. Primary attention was focused on the genetic correlation between six-week body weight and six-week tail length. Parameters realized from single-trait selection were in excellent agreement with paternal half-sib estimates. However, the realized genetic correlation between six-week body weight and six-week tail length obtained from index selection was significantly greater than the other estimates. Differential inbreeding levels and realized selection intensities were considered and rejected as being causative factors for these results. Linkage disequilibrium probably was not a factor either, as the base population had been randomly mated and randomly selected with a large effective population size for many generations. It was concluded that with antagonistic index selection, the pleiotropic effects of genes may be more powerful in retarding response in aggregate genotype than current theory would suggest. Replication of all selected and control lines allowed the use of between-line estimators of sampling variances of realized genetic parameters in the above comparisons. Generally, standard errors of realized genetic parameters were much smaller than corresponding paternal half-sib standard errors. Thus, selection was an efficient method of estimation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 17-18
Author(s):  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Janine Gray ◽  
Karim Karimi ◽  
Younes Miar

Abstract Aleutian disease brings tremendous financial losses to the mink industry. The ineffective immunoprophylaxis, medication, and culling strategies have urged the mink industry to select mink with low quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (qELISA) score or negative counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) test result. However, little is known about the heritabilities of qELISA and CEIP as well as their relationships with growth and pelt quality traits. The traits, including qELISA, CIEP, body length at harvest (HLEN), the size of dried pelt (SIZE), the overall quality of dried pelt (QUA), and the nap length of dried pelt (NAP), were measured on 1,683 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Millbank Fur Farm (Ontario, Canada). Significance (P &lt; 0.05) of fixed effects (sex, farm, age, and color) and random effects (common litter, permanent environment, and dam) were determined by univariate analyses, while genetic and phenotypic parameters for all traits were estimated under bivariate analyses using ASREML 4.1. Estimated heritabilities (±SE) were 0.41±0.07 for qELISA, 0.06±0.06 for CIEP, 0.39±0.06 for HLEN, 0.46±0.07 for SIZE, 0.25±0.06 for QUA, and 0.46±0.08 for NAP. The qELISA showed non-significant (P &gt; 0.05) genetic correlations with HLEN (0.05±0.13) and dried pelt traits (0.02±0.18 with SIZE, -0.21±0.20 with QUA, and -0.13±0.16 with NAP). The CIEP only showed a significant (P &lt; 0.05) negative genetic correlation with SIZE (-0.85±0.33). The moderate-to-high heritabilities of qELISA, HLEN, SIZE, QUA, and NAP indicated that these traits can be genetically improved through a genetic/genomic selection. The low and non-significant heritability of CIEP indicated the ineffectiveness of direct selection for this trait. The estimated genetic parameters for qELISA suggested that selection for lower qELISA scores may not interfere with the selection of pelt size and quality in the genetic improvement programs of American mink.


Author(s):  
M Monika ◽  
J J Rokade ◽  
R Narayan ◽  
V K Saxena ◽  
Snehasmita Panda ◽  
...  

The quantitative genetic study involving a pure line mating of 160 pairs of three varieties of domesticated Japanese quails (CARI-Ujjawal; CARI-Suneheri and CARI-Brown) were maintained under individual pedigree cages for breeding. A total of 6221 quail chicks from three hatches comprising three varieties were used for this study. Among them, CARI-Ujjawal has higher hatchability with less rearing mortality percentage. CARI-Ujjawal had highest (plessthan0.01) body weight at all ages when compared to the other two varieties. The heritability estimates on body weight (0-5 weeks) among the varieties range from low to moderate in all the three varieties. The positive correlation was observed among all the varieties at different ages. High genetic correlations between body weights at early as well as later ages confirms that selection for body weight at early ages would improve body weight at later (maturity) ages. Amongst all, CARI-Suneheri was having better heritability values and during further generations of selections it performed also well to improve because of its better heritability. Also from above results this variety could be recommended for broiler quail breeding after field testing.


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