Analysis of genetic parameters of reproductive traits in conserved breed sows raised in Poland

Abstract The aim of the study was to estimate the genetic parameters for reproductive performance in native breeds sows covered by genetic resource conservation programmes in Poland. The study used data on reproductive performance of 1,182 Złotnicka White sows, 1,648 Złotnicka Spotted sows and 1,180 Puławska sows. The following traits were analysed: age at first farrowing, number of piglets born alive, number of piglets at 21 days of age and farrowing interval. Covariance components and genetic parameters were estimated using an REML animal model with different combinations of fixed and random effects. Convergence of the iterative process was achieved by the selection of the AIREML algorithm. The estimated values of the coefficients of heritability for the number of piglets born ranged from h2 = 0.09 in the Puławska breed to h2 = 0.30 in the Złotnicka White breed. For the number of piglets reared, they varied between h2 = 0.09 in the Złotnicka Spotted breed to h2 = 0.27 in the Puławska breed. The heritability values for age at first farrowing and farrowing interval were higher, and ranged from 0.4 to 0.5. The significant positive and negative coefficients of phenotypic correlation, estimated between age at first farrowing and farrowing interval with the number of piglets born alive and reared per litter, suggest that the native pig breeds should be bred in keeping with their breed predispositions.

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Analysis of prolificacy in sows of hyperprolific lines of Large White breed

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/4009-cjas ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 155-162

Author(s):

V. Matoušek ◽

A. Čermáková ◽

N. Kernerová ◽

P. Králová

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Large White ◽

Large White Breed ◽

Lifetime Performance ◽

White Breed ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Esr Gene

The objective of the paper was to evaluate the results of reproductive performance of sows in some elite breeding herds of the Large White breed included in experimental herds for the production of hyperprolific lines of dam breeds. The set consisted of 98 sows with the known genotypes of ESR, FSHâ and PRLR genes. The dendrogram shows that on the basis of their genetic outfit the sows can be divided into two clusters. The first cluster can be described as a cluster with marked dominance of HPL sows and the second cluster with marked dominance of the sows of basic herd. The first cluster consisted of individuals in which the preferred genotype AA of PRLR gene was not detected. As for FSHâ gene, the beneficial genotype BB was found out in 74.10% of sows. In ESR gene the beneficial genotype DD was recorded only in 11.10% of individuals. On average for the lifetime performance they delivered by 2.08 piglets more in all born piglets and by 1.96 piglets more in live-born piglets per litter. Differences in the reproductive traits between HPL sows and the sows of basic herd in the first cluster were statistically highly significant. On the contrary, genotype AA of PRLR gene was identified in all sows of the second cluster, 61.36% of animals possessed beneficial genotype BB of FSHâ gene. As for ESR gene, beneficial genotype DD was identified within the whole cluster in 31.82% of sows. In lifetime performance the HPL sows had on average by 1.10 individuals more in all born piglets and by 1.01 more in live-born piglets (statistically significantly higher values). The unambiguous expression of a positive effect of preferred genotypes of selected candidate genes failed to be confirmed by the results of statistical analyses testing the associations of candidate genes for pig reproduction with selected parameters of breeding value and prolificacy of sows.  

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Phenotypic and genetic parameters for reproductive performance in a synthetic line of sheep

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600031920 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 96 (1) ◽

pp. 107-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

T. G. Martin ◽

D. Nicholson ◽

C. Smith ◽

D. I. Sales

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Direct Selection ◽

Sex Distribution ◽

Regression Methods ◽

Litter Weight ◽

Heritability Estimates ◽

Synthetic Line

SUMMARYData on 902 ewes (1755 records) bom over 7 years in the synthetic ABRO Dam Line were analysed by least squares. Reproductive traits of the ewe were not affected by whether she was a single or a twin or by the age of her dam. Ewe age had major effects on all reproductive traits. Litter weight traits were affected by the sex distribution and the age of the litter when weighed.Heritability estimates, both by half sib and regression methods, were low for litter size, low to moderate for litter weights, and higher for ewe and fleece weights. Genetic correlations among the litter-weight traits were high. Together with the heritability estimates, they indicated that selection on litter weight at birth (and perhaps other traits) might give a greater change in total litter weight at weaning, the main measure of ewe productivity and the objective in improvement, than would direct selection.

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Analysis of Genetic Parameters for Reproductive Traits in Crossbred Dairy Cattle Maintained at Holetta Agricultural Research Center.

Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research ◽

10.18805/ajdfr.dr-146 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 39 (01) ◽

Author(s):

Kefale Getahun ◽

Million Tadesse ◽

Direba Hundie

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Research Center ◽

Phenotypic Correlation

This study was aimed to generate information on variance components and the resulting genetic parameters (heritability, repeatability, genetic and phenotypic correlations and genetic trends) of some economic traits of Borena and its crosses with Holstein Friesian dairy cattle maintained at Holetta agricultural research center dairy farm. Traits studied were age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of service per conception (NSC). Overall, 11331 dairy cattle reproductive performance records were used for the study. WOMBAT, which is a software package for quantitative genetic analysis of continuous traits, fitting a linear, mixed model; estimates of covariance components and the resulting genetic parameters were employed and obtained. Heritability values of reproductive traits were from very low (0.071, 0.082 and 0.012) for CI, DO and NSC to moderate (0.3 and 0.22) for AFC and AFS traits. Repeatability estimate for CI, DO and NSC were low (0.17, 0.17 and 0.129). Strong and positive genetic correlation (0.98) was appeared between AFS and AFC traits. Negative genetic correlations were observed between AFS and DO (-0.001), AFC and DO (-0.05), AFS and NSC (-0.022), AFC and NSC (-0.29) and CI and NSC (-0.31). AFS were negative phenotypic correlation with CI, DO and NSC. Similarly, AFC was negative phenotypic correlation with CI and DO. Low phenotypic correlation was observed between AFC and NSC, CI and DO, CI and NSC and, DO and NSC. Strong and positive phenotypic correlation was appeared between AFS and AFC. The regression coefficient of mean breeding value for NSC, CI, DO, AFC and AFS on year of birth were -0.0066x+13.25 times/year, -1.19x+2387.4 days/year, -1.23x+2445.6 days/year, 0.2x-410 months/year and 0.48x-980 months/year, respectively.

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Genetic Analysis of First Lactation Monthly Test Day Milk Yields, Peak Yield and 305 Days Milk Yield in Murrah Buffaloes

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-3679 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ekta Rana ◽

Ashok Kumar Gupta ◽

Avtar Singh ◽

Atish Kumar Chakravarty ◽

Saleem Yousuf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Maximum Likelihood ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Correlation Method ◽

Phenotypic Correlation ◽

Murrah Buffaloes ◽

National Dairy Research Institute ◽

Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Breed Improvement ◽

Selection Of

Background: The estimates of genetic parameters are useful in determining the appropriate method of selection that could further be implemented in the breed improvement programmes. The present study was, therefore, conducted to estimate the genetic parameters (heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations) for monthly test day (TD) milk yields, peak yield (PY) and first lactation 305 days milk yield (FL305DMY) in Murrah buffaloes.Methods: Paternal half-sib correlation method was carried out by least-squares maximum likelihood programme to estimate genetic parameters of first lactation 4,209 and 408 records of monthly test day milk yield and peak yield, respectively, of 408 Murrah buffaloes (sired by 62 bulls) calved in between 1993 and 2017 at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal.Result: Heritability of FL305DMY and peak yield was estimated as 0.35±0.17 and 0.33±0.16, respectively. Heritability estimates for mid-lactation monthly test day milk yields were found to be moderate. Genetic correlation of monthly test day milk yields with FL305DMY was positive and highly significant for TD-4 to TD-9 and TD-11. Peak yield showed high genetic and phenotypic association with FL305DMY. High genetic and phenotypic correlation among monthly test day milk yields, peak yield and FL305DMY suggested that TD-4 to TD-9 and TD-11 test day milk yields and peak yield could be used for the selection of elite animals.

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SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF GENETIC PARAMETERS OF LIFETIME REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN MICE

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas88-145 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 1291-1295 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. NAGAI ◽

C. Y. LIN ◽

A. J. McALLISTER

Keyword(s):

Genetic Parameters ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Simultaneous Estimation ◽

Mixed Model Analysis ◽

Reproductive Life ◽

Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Estimation Of Genetic Parameters ◽

Selection Of

Heritabilities and correlations between the length of reproductive life and number of parturitions during lifetime in mice were estimated from bivariate full-sib mixed-model analysis. Heritability estimates from sire components were low (0.01) for the two traits and those from dam components were slightly higher (0.06 and 0.05). Estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.89 to 0.99. It was concluded that the two traits are virtually the same trait biologically. Implication of these results for selection of lifetime production in mice and dairy cattle is discussed. Key words: Genetic parameters, reproductive trait, bivariate analysis

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Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters of litter size at birth in crossbred Mule ewes using repeatability and multiple trait threshold models

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200019694 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2007 ◽

pp. 66-66

Author(s):

W. Mekkawy ◽

R. Roehe ◽

R. M. Lewis ◽

M. H. Davies ◽

A. M. Van Heelsum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Threshold Models ◽

Multiple Trait ◽

Repeated Observations ◽

Improvement Programs ◽

Size At Birth ◽

Estimation Of Genetic Parameters

The reproductive performance of ewes is a major factor influencing the economic success of lowland flocks. Even so reproductive traits have not often been included in sheep genetic improvement programs because of their low heritabilities compared with other performance traits like body weight and carcass merit. Litter size is one of the most important traits affecting reproductive performance. There are two important factors to be considered in the genetic analysis of litter size. First, several authors have suggested that litter size in different parities is controlled in part by different genes, and therefore should be treated as different traits. Second, ignoring the categorical nature of litter size and analysing it using a linear model does not account for its non-normal distribution. As a consequence, threshold models are likely to be more appropriate for the analysis of categorical traits (Gianola and Foulley, 1983). Therefore, the objective of the current study was to estimate the genetic parameters for litter size of Mule ewes using both repeatability and a multiple trait threshold models for repeated observations of litter size across four different parities.

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Genetic association between stayability, and productive and reproductive traits in Holstein cows

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an16563 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 58 (10) ◽

pp. 1788 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Graziela M. F. Rocha ◽

Jaime A. Cobuci ◽

Cláudio N. Costa ◽

Luíza R. A. Abreu ◽

Lúcio F. M. Mota ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Genetic Effect ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

A Posteriori ◽

Age At First Calving ◽

Covariance Components ◽

The Bayesian Approach ◽

Selection Of

The objective was to estimate the genetic parameters for the cow’s ability to stay in the herd (stayability) until 48 and 54 months of age (STAY48 and STAY54) and up to 36 and 48 months after the first calving (STAY36ac and STAY48ac), and their associations with 305-day milk production (MP305) in the first lactation, age at first calving and first calving interval, from the first three lactations of cows reared in Brazil and born between 1987 and 2006. The covariance components were estimated by bivariate analyses, using the Bayesian approach. The a posteriori distributions of the components of interest were obtained with the Gibbs sampler. Fixed effect of contemporary group, additive and residual random genetic effect, and age of dam as covariate (linear and quadratic) were included in the analyses. Low heritability values were obtained for most traits, except for STAY48ac and MP305. Genetic correlation estimates between age at first calving and stayability traits were high and positive, except for STAY48ac. In addition, we detected genetic correlations between MP305 and STAY36ac and STAY48ac. In conclusion, we can infer that genetic correlations between MP305, and STAY36ac and STAY48ac indicate that the current focus on selection of animals for improved milk production in the first lactation can lead to genetic gains on longevity, although not expressive.

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Genomic Tools and Genetic Improvement of Crossbred Friesian Cattle

Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries ◽

10.3329/ralf.v8i1.53271 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 89-107

Author(s):

Md Anisur Rahman ◽

Nasrin Sultana Juyena ◽

Mohammed Shamsuddin ◽

Mohammad Musharraf Uddin Bhuiyan

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Genetic Improvement ◽

Reproductive Potential ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Production Traits ◽

Genomic Tools ◽

The Given ◽

Friesian Cattle ◽

Selection Of ◽

Friesian Cows

Any genetic improvement in dairy cattle requires information on productive and reproductive performance in the given population. Animals have been selected to improve their productivity in order to increase the profitability to the farmer. As a result, selection of animals is made for higher production and a shortened productive life. The reproductive performance of Friesian cows under intensive and semi-intensive management system in Bangladesh is poor. Animal selection has historically been based on production traits, and not much attention was given to AI recording. Many attempts were taken scatterly to increase productive and reproductive potential of Bangladeshi cattle for different periods with variable achievements. Therefore, in this review article we have addressed the new tools and information that could be used to determine the level of productive and reproductive performance and to evaluate genetic factors using admixture analysis of cows bred by AI sires which affect reproductive traits of crossbred Friesian dairy cows reared in selected areas in Bangladesh. Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(1): 89-107, April 2021

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Genetic parameters for Australian maternal and dual-purpose meatsheep breeds. I. Liveweight, wool production and reproduction in Border Leicester and related types

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9940459 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 459 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

LD Brash ◽

NM Fogarty ◽

SA Barwick ◽

AR Gilmour

Keyword(s):

Genetic Correlation ◽

Litter Size ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Heritability Estimate ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Phenotypic Correlation ◽

Data Set ◽

Reproduction Traits ◽

Fleece Weight

Analyses of two separate Border Leicester data sets are reported. In the first set, genetic parameters were estimated for 14 month liveweight and greasy fleece weight from 1312 ewe and ram records representing 75 sires of the Border Leicester and Glen Vale breeds (a related genotype) using derivative-free REML procedures. The heritability estimate for liveweight was 0.24 � 0.07 and greasy fleece weight was 0.17 � 0-05, with the genetic correlation being -0 21 � 0 -30 and phenotypic correlation 0.54 � 0.02. In the second data set, reproductive performance was analysed and genetic parameters were estimated from 7395 joining records for 1604 ewes, representing 165 sires, from two Border Leicester stud flocks. Reproduction traits analysed were fertility (ewes lambing of ewes joined), litter size (lambs born per ewe lambing) and lambs born (per ewe joined). The studs differed in performance for all reproductive traits; fertility (67 v. 82%), litter size (1-27 v. 1-43) and lambs born (85 v. 117%). The estimates of heritability and repeatability respectively for ewe performance were: fertility 0.01 � 0.01 and 0.05 � 0 01, litter size 0.01 � 0.02 and 0.05 � 0.01, lambs born 0.00 � 0.01 and 0.06 � 0.01. Estimates of heritability for average ewe lifetime performance were 0.04% 0.05 for fertility, 0-02 �0.05 for litter size and 0.03 � 0.05 for lambs born, based on averages of 4.6 joining and 3.5 litter size records for ewes. The genetic correlations between lambs born and its components fertility (0.96 � 0.18) and litter size (0.83 � 0.44) were high, with the genetic correlation between fertility and litter size being 0.65 � 0.52. Implications for breeding programs for Border Leicester flocks within LAMBPLAN are discussed.

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Genomic Analysis of Purebred and Crossbred Angus Cows Quantifies Heterozygosity, Breed, and Additive Effects on Components of Reproduction

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani12010061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 61

Author(s):

Wayne S. Pitchford ◽

Judith M. Pitchford ◽

Jena G. Alexopoulos ◽

Michelle L. Hebart

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genomic Analysis ◽

Reproductive Traits ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Additive Effects ◽

Breed Differences ◽

Maternal Performance ◽

Selection For ◽

Angus Heifers

Multiple studies have quantified the production differences of Hereford Angus crossbreds compared to purebred Angus for a range of traits including growth, carcass, and reproductive traits. This study aims to quantify breed and heterosis effects on maternal performance using genomics. Thirty Hereford and thirty Angus sires were mated to 1100 Angus heifers and cows in a large commercial herd run on pasture at Musselroe Bay, Tasmania, Australia. Approximately 1650 calves were born. Heifers were weaned, scanned for attainment of puberty prior to joining at approximately 15 months of age, joined, and then recorded for status of pregnancy, calving, lactating, 2nd pregnancy, and weaning of second calf. Heterozygosity effects were significant for heifer pre-joining weight and height as well as proportion pubertal. Breed differences were significant for the same traits plus pregnancy rate at second joining and proportion rearing two calves. Genetic parameters were reported for 13 traits. On average, higher genetic merit (Estimated Breeding Value, EBV percentile) Hereford bulls were used than Angus for growth and puberty, but they were similar for fat and reproduction. Days to calving BREEDPLAN EBVs of the sires were related to puberty and reproduction. Scrotal size BREEDPLAN EBVs of the sires were related to attainment of puberty genomic EBVs calculated. In summary, breed differences in growth and puberty were due to heterosis, but there was an advantage of Hereford genes for reproductive performance. Ongoing emphasis on selection for reduced days to calving and estimation of multi-breed EBVs is important.

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