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

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Wayne S. Pitchford ◽  
Judith M. Pitchford ◽  
Jena G. Alexopoulos ◽  
Michelle L. Hebart

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.

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Oyama ◽  
T. Katsuta ◽  
K. Anada ◽  
F. Mukai

AbstractReproductive performance is receiving increased attention from beef cattle producers. There are concerns that intensive selection for carcass traits might reduce the reproductive performance of females. Genetic parameters among six carcass traits and, age at first calving (AFC), gestation length (GL), days open (DO) and calving interval (CI) under year-round artificial insemination were estimated. Reproductive traits were extracted from 174005 calving records of Japanese Black cows and were analysed with 31364 carcass records. The restricted maximum likelihood procedure under animal models was used to estimate the parameters. Heritabilities of AFC, GL, DO and CI were estimated to be 0.20, 0.40, 0.05 and 0.05, respectively, and those of carcass traits were higher, ranging from 0.38 to 0.56. Genetic correlations of CI with AFC and GL were 0.25 and 0.16, respectively, while no relationship was observed between AFC and GL. Correlations among carcass traits were generally favourable and a slightly negative estimate was obtained between subcutaneous fat thickness and marbling score. Genetic correlations for AFC were -0.27 with carcass weight and -0.24 with marbling score. In contrast, GL, DO and CI were genetically independent of carcass traits. Genetic relationships between reproductive and carcass traits were generally low, and therefore serious antagonism was not observed. The results suggested that selection for carcass traits would not compromise genetic progress in reproductive traits.


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Perotto ◽  
R. I. Cue ◽  
A. J. Lee ◽  
A. J. McAllister ◽  
J. R. Batra ◽  
...  

Crossbreeding parameters (line additive, dominance and additive × additive epistatic effects for individual and for maternal performance) on growth traits of females from a crossbreeding experiment between Holstein-based (HS) and Ayrshire-based (AS) lines were estimated by individual animal models, incorporating all known additive genetic relationships among animals, through restricted maximum likelihood and mixed-model methodologies. The growth traits [asymptotic weight (A), rate parameter (k), inflection parameter (m), average lifetime absolute growth rate (AGR), average lifetime absolute maturing rate (AMR) and average lifetime relative growth rate (RGR)] were estimated by fitting the Richards function to the observed growth curve of 3076 individuals. The statistical model included the random effect of the animal breeding value and the fixed effects of genetic group and station–year–season of birth. Results indicated that the HS exceeded (P < 0.001) the AS in additive effects for individual performance for both A and AGR. The HS exceeded (P < 0.05) the AS in additive effects for maternal performance for A. Individual heterosis was positive for A (P < 0.001) and for AGR (P < 0.01). Maternal heterosis was negative for A (P < 0.05) and positive for AMR (P < 0.05). Total heterosis (TH) had positive effects on both AGR and AMR (P < 0.05). Heterosis retained in advanced crossbred generations was not significant (P > 0.05) for any of the studied traits. The results suggest that crossbreeding designed to exploit TH can alter the shape of the growth curve of dairy cattle. Key words: Crossbreeding, dairy cattle, growth curve


2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 155-162
Author(s):  
V. Matoušek ◽  
A. Čermáková ◽  
N. Kernerová ◽  
P. Králová

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, FSH&acirc; 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 FSH&acirc; 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 FSH&acirc; 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. &nbsp;


1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. Martin ◽  
D. Nicholson ◽  
C. Smith ◽  
D. I. Sales

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kefale Getahun ◽  
Million Tadesse ◽  
Direba Hundie

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe M. W. Hickmann ◽  
José Braccini Neto ◽  
Luke M. Kramer ◽  
Yijian Huang ◽  
Kent A. Gray ◽  
...  

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is historically the most economically important swine disease worldwide that severely affects the reproductive performance of sows. However, little is still known about the genetic basis of reproductive performance in purebred herds during a PRRS outbreak through the comparison of maternal and terminal breeds. Thus, the objective of this work was to explore the host genetics of response to PRRS in purebred sows from two breeds. Reproductive data included 2546 Duroc and 2522 Landrace litters from 894 and 813 purebred sows, respectively, which had high-density genotype data available (29,799 single nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs). The data were split into pre-PRRS, PRRS, and post-PRRS phases based on standardized farrow-year-week estimates. Heritability estimates for reproductive traits were low to moderate (≤0.20) for Duroc and Landrace across PRRS phases. On the other hand, genetic correlations of reproductive traits between PRRS phases were overall moderate to high for both breeds. Several associations between MARC0034894, a candidate SNP for response to PRRS, with reproductive performance were identified (P-value &lt; 0.05). Genomic analyses detected few QTL for reproductive performance across all phases, most explaining a small percentage of the additive genetic variance (≤8.2%, averaging 2.1%), indicating that these traits are highly polygenic. None of the identified QTL within a breed and trait overlapped between PRRS phases. Overall, our results indicate that Duroc sows are phenotypically more resilient to PRRS than Landrace sows, with a similar return to PRRS-free performance between breeds for most reproductive traits. Genomic prediction results indicate that genomic selection for improved reproductive performance under a PRRS outbreak is possible, especially in Landrace sows, by training markers using data from PRRS-challenged sows. On the other hand, the high genetic correlations with reproductive traits between PRRS phases suggest that selection for improved reproductive performance in a clean environment could improve performance during PRRS, but with limited efficiency due to their low heritability estimates. Thus, we hypothesize that an indicator trait that could be indirectly selected to increase the response to selection for these traits would be desirable and would also improve the reproductive performance of sows during a PRRS outbreak.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaretha Snyman ◽  
Sunika Süllwald ◽  
Willem Olivier ◽  
Carina Visser

Abstract Background: Reproductive performance and body weight are of the utmost economic importance in determining the efficiency of sheep production. Simultaneous selection for increased reproductive performance and early growth traits is a common strategy in many flocks, but ambiguous results regarding the relationship between reproduction and body weight have been reported. The objective of this study was to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in two South African Merino flocks and an Afrino sheep flock that were selected for both reproduction and body weight over decades. The GWAS aimed to identify SNPs associated with genes affecting the traits number of lambs born (NLB), number of lambs weaned (NLW), total weight of lamb weaned (TWW) and body weight (BW) and thus to ascertain which genes were targeted through directional selection.Results: In the GWAS, 16 SNP markers associated with reproductive traits were identified among the three populations, while 15 SNPs were associated with body weight. These SNPs were linked respectively to 26 and 21 documented genes in the sheep genome. Most of these genes were previously associated in literature with reproduction related, as well as with growth related traits in various farm animal species. This study, supported by results from previous studies performed on sheep and cattle, identified the following genes that warrant further investigation as to their functions and processes relating to growth and reproduction in sheep: MAP7D1, TRAPPC3, THRAP3, TRMP8, SPP2, HDAC9, ZFHX3, SIX6, C14orf39, TAF4B, TRSP1 EYA2, RBMS3, STL38L, BSPH1, LIG1, CABP5 and ELSPBP1. Conclusions: Long-term selection in the flocks for both body weight and reproductive traits, and especially on the composite trait TWW, have favoured genes with pleiotropic effects influencing both groups of traits. SNPs associated with these pleiotropic genes were detected in the association analyses for the various traits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 314-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinh Thi Nguyen ◽  
Luc Duc Do ◽  
Thinh Hoang Nguyen ◽  
Bo Xuan Ha ◽  
Mai Ngoc Hoang ◽  
...  

The association of the RNF4, RBP4, and IGF2 genotypes and their additive genetic effects with litter size in purebred Landrace and Yorkshire sows were studied. The results revealed significant associations between the RNF4 and RBP4 genotypes with the total number of piglets born (TNB) and number of piglets born alive (NBA) traits (P <0.05). The RNF4 CC genotype had greater TNB and NBA than the TT genotype in both breeds. The RBP4 BB genotype had greater TNB and NBA than the AA genotype in the Landrace breed. Significant additive effects of the RNF4 and RBP4 genes on the TNB and NBA were detected (P <0.05). No significant associations of the IGF2 genotypes and their additive effects with any reproductive traits were observed in both Landrace and Yorkshire sows (P >0.05). The results suggested that the RNF4 and RBP4 genes could be useful in selection for increasing TNB and NBA traits in pigs.


1999 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 27-31
Author(s):  
C.A. Morris ◽  
N.R. Towers ◽  
N.C. Amyes

Ryegrass staggers (RGS) is a neurotoxic disease in ruminants. It is caused by the mycotoxin lolitrem B, found in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). This paper reviews genetic studies on the resistance of sheep to RGS at Ruakura. Genetic differences in susceptibility among sire groups were evaluated in lambs born in 1988-92 (Phase 1). Selection lines were then formed and responses to selection for resistance or susceptibility are described for the 1993-98 birth years (Phase 2). The incidence of RGS was recorded on a presence or absence basis from January to March or April each year, in experimental flocks with animals of known pedigree. For estimating genetic parameters (Phase 1), there were 3587 RGS records available from 2307 animals representing 232 sires. Clinical cases of RGS occurred in 17 of 25 contemporary groups, with incidences per group up to 16%. Estimates of heritability and acrossyear repeatability for RGS incidence were 0.068 ± 0.028 and 0.24 ± 0.05 respectively. Breeding value data were used at the beginning of Phase 2 to screen ewes, two-tooths and ewe lambs into resistant and susceptible selection flocks (lines). Breeding values were also used to select rams that were elite for RGS, and to allocate these to each line for mating. At least some natural RGS challenge was experienced by the resulting selection-line stock born in five of the six years of Phase 2. Susceptible-line lambs had a mean incidence of 39% clinical RGS cases over these five years, whilst the resistant-line lambs grazing the same paddocks had a much lower mean clinical RGS incidence (P


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