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

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
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.  

Genetic correlations among body condition score, somatic cell score, milk production, fertility and conformation traits in dairy cows

2004 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. N. Kadarmideen
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Genetic Relationship ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Type Traits ◽  
Fertility Traits

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.

scholarly journals Genetic Relationships among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Milk Yield, and Fertility in Dairy Cows

2003 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2193-2204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.P. Berry ◽  
F. Buckley ◽  
P. Dillon ◽  
R.D. Evans ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Condition Score

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

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Genetics of adaptive traits in heifers and their relationship to growth, pubertal and carcass traits in two tropical beef cattle genotypes

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Prayaga ◽  
N. J. Corbet ◽  
D. J. Johnston ◽  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
G. Fordyce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Genetic Association ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Coat Colour ◽  
Economic Traits ◽  
Adaptive Traits ◽  
Condition Score

Genetic analyses of tropical adaptive traits were conducted for two tropically adapted genotypes, Brahman (BRAH) and Tropical Composite (TCOMP). Traits included tick scores (TICK), faecal egg counts (EPG), buffalo fly-lesion scores (FLY), rectal temperatures under hot conditions (TEMP), coat scores (COAT), coat colour on a light to dark scale (COLOUR), navel scores (NAVEL) and temperament measured as flight time (FT). The data comprised adaptive measures recorded at specific times on 2071 heifers comprising 966 BRAH and 1105 TCOMP. The genetic correlations of these adaptive traits with heifer growth, scanned carcass, pubertal measures and steer growth and carcass traits were estimated. BRAH recorded significantly (P < 0.05) lower TICK, EPG, FLY and TEMP than did TCOMP. BRAH also had significantly sleeker coats, lighter coat colour, more pendulous navels and more docile temperament than did TCOMP. The heritability of TICK and FLY was low (<20%), that of EPG, TEMP, NAVEL and FT was moderate (20–50%) and that of COAT and COLOUR high (>50%). In general, phenotypic correlations between these adaptive traits were low and genetic correlations were non-significant, implying trait independence. Genetic correlations between EPG and weight traits (0.29 to 0.44) indicated a positive relationship, implying no deleterious effect of worms on the growth at a genetic level, especially in TCOMP. The negative genetic correlations between COAT and body-condition score across genotypes (–0.33 to –0.48) indicated genetic advantage of sleek coats in tropics. A positive genetic correlation between COAT and the age at the first-observed corpus luteum (0.73) in BRAH indicated that BRAH with sleeker coats were genetically early maturing. Further, sleeker coats were genetically indicative of lower weights and lower fat cover at puberty in BRAH. The scanned fat measures at rump and rib sites for feedlot steers showed strong genetic correlation (0.50–0.58) with heifer TEMP, indicating genetically fatter animals had genetically lower heat tolerance. In BRAH, a positive genetic association between heifer COLOUR and scanned fat measures in steers (0.50–0.54) implied increased fatness in genetically darker animals. Further, in BRAH, a strong negative genetic correlation (–0.97) was observed between steer retail beef yield and heifer TEMP, indicating a favourable genetic association. In general, genetic correlations between adaptive traits and other economic traits were genotype specific. Further, it can be concluded that selection for productive and pubertal traits in tropical beef cattle genotypes would not adversely affect their tropical adaptability.

Maternal body composition in seedstock herds. 4. Genetic parameters for body composition of Angus and Hereford cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Donoghue ◽  
S. J. Lee ◽  
P. F. Parnell ◽  
W. S. Pitchford
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Life Traits ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Over Time

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.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 1209 ◽  
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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