Estimation of genetic parameters of fertility traits in Chinese Holstein cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Guo ◽  
Xiangyu Guo ◽  
Yachun Wang ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Shengli Zhang ◽  
...  

Guo, G., Guo, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, S., Li, X., Liu, L., Shi, W., Usman, T., Wang, X., Du, L. and Zhang, Q. 2014. Estimation of genetic parameters of fertility traits in Chinese Holstein cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 281–285. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for fertility traits in Chinese Holstein heifers and cows. Data of 20169 animals with 42106 records over a period of 10 yr (2001–2010) were collected from Sanyuan Lvhe Dairy Cattle Center in Beijing, China. Traits included age at first service (AFS), number of services (NS), days from calving to first service (CTFS), days open (DO), and calving interval (CI). Genetic parameters were estimated with multiple-trait animal model using the DMU software. Heritability estimates for AFS, NS, CTFS, DO and CI were 0.100±0.012, 0.040±0.017, 0.034±0.011, 0.053±0.019 and 0.056±0.014, respectively. Genetic correlations between traits observed ranged from −0.13 to 0.99. Genetic correlations between AFS with NS, CTFS, DO and CI were −0.31, 0.15, −0.13 and −0.15, respectively. Calving interval was strongly correlated with NS, CTFS and DO (0.49–0.99), and DO showed strong correlation with NS and CTFS (0.49 and 0.58, respectively). The genetic correlation between CTFS and NS was negative moderate (−0.25). Results were in range with previous literature estimates and can be used in Chinese Holstein genetic evaluation for fertility traits.

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Judith C. Miranda ◽  
José M. León ◽  
Camillo Pieramati ◽  
Mayra M. Gómez ◽  
Jesús Valdés ◽  
...  

This paper studies parameters of a lactation curve such as peak yield (PY) and persistency (P), which do not conform to the usual selection criteria in the Murciano-Granadina (MG) breed, but are considered to be an alternative to benefit animal welfare without reducing production. Using 315,663 production records (of 122,883 animals) over a period of 24 years (1990–2014), genetic parameters were estimated with uni-, bi- and multivariate analysis using multiple trait derivative free restricted maximum likelihood (MTDFREML). The heritability (h2)/repeatability (re) of PY, yield (Y) and P was estimated as 0.13/0.19, 0.16/0.25 and 0.08/0.09 with the uni-trait and h2 of bi- and multi-traits analysis ranging from 0.16 to 0.17 of Y, while that of PY and Y remained constant. Genetic correlations were high between PY–Y (0.94 ± 0.011) but low between PY–P (–0.16 ± 0.054 to –0.17 ± 0.054) and between Y–P (–0.06 ± 0.058 to –0.05 ± 0.058). Estimates of h2/re were low to intermediate. The selection for Y–PY or both can be implemented given the genetic correlation between these traits. PY–P and Y–P showed low to negligible correlation values indicating that if these traits are implemented in the early stages of evaluation, they would not be to the detriment of PY–Y. The combination of estimated breeding values (EBVs) for all traits would be a good criterion for selection.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. Di Croce ◽  
A. M. Saxton ◽  
D. Casanova ◽  
F. N. Schrick

Impaired fertility is the primary reason for culling in the United States (26.5% of all disposals) and fertility rates have steadily declined during the past 30 years. The objectives of this study were 1) estimate genetic parameters and evaluate genetic correlations for fertility traits based on data from milk recording programs, and 2) evaluate genetic fertility trends in Holstein cattle in Argentina. Data representing 3 282 843 lactations and 1 622 088 animals (cows and bulls from 1936 to 2007) were used for the analysis and obtained from official records maintained by the Argentinean Holstein Association (ACHA). Lactations were standardized to 305 DIM for milk, protein, and fat. Days open (DO), calving interval (CI), age to first calving (AFC), and daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) were selected for genetic parameter estimation. Daughter pregnancy rate was calculated as described by (Kuhn et al. 2004 J. Dairy Sci. 87, 2277–2284). Animal models by lactation for each fertility trait included contemporary group (dairy herd and calving year), calving month, animal effect, milk production as a covariate, and error term. Multiple-trait derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood (MTDFREML) was used to estimate covariance components. Solutions for fixed effects, breeding values, and sampling variances (accuracies) were obtained for each trait. The fertility index ($F = –0.28 × AFC ± 4.9 × CI) was calculated using the economic rates as reported by (Gonzalez-Recio et al. 2004 J. Dairy Sci. 87, 3053–3061). First lactation/parities were utilised for estimating correlations among BLUPs for DO, CI, DPR, AFC, and $F. In general, moderate and high genetic correlations were observed (from 0.238 to 0.999; P < 0.001). Days open and calving interval showed high negative associations with DPR (–0.999, –0.648) and $F (–0.612, Q0.981). Results from the correlation analysis suggest that CI and $F are qualified indicators of fertility in lactating dairy Holstein and relate well with all the other traits. The index, $F, benefits by including AFC as a measure of initial reproductive efficiency followed by the inclusion of CI which measures success of inseminations. Genetic trend for AFC showed a decrease of 2.76 days per year between 1970 and 2000 for sires. Similarly, trends for CI resulted in decreases of 0.45 days per year between 1970 and 2000 for sires. During the same period, DPR increased by 0.02 percent per year in sires. Using current dollars values, $F increased 2.99 dollars per year for sires. Results indicate progress in the genetic trend for fertility traits in the Holstein population of Argentina, with higher improvement in sires compared with dams. Trends visually showed faster improvement after 1980, possibly due to extensive importation of US and Canadian bulls and semen (72% of bulls born after 1986) and selection for productive life introduced in 1993. Supported by Asociacion Criadores de Holando Argentino (ACHA).


Author(s):  
M.S. Khan ◽  
K. Z. Gondal ◽  
S. H. Raza ◽  
A. A. Asghar

There are many computational algorithms available for estimating (co) variance components under multiple trait models. Paternal half-sib correlation is the most commonly used method for estimating genetic parameters of economic traits of buffaloes. The models used are Single trait, ignoring covariances with other traits. The relationship matrices are also ignored. This study was undertaken to estimate genetic parameters of first lactation traits of Nili Ravi buffaloes under a multiple trait animal model. First lactation milk yield was l7% heritable when traits such as age of calving interval were considered. Age at first calving was 18% heritable with very low genetic correlations with other traits. Lactation length, dry period and calving interval were lowly heritable traits. Estimates differed by inclusion or exclusion of traits due to the covariances present among all these traits. A high genetic correlation between mills yield and lactation length (0.74) does not warrant the selection of milk yield as the only trait.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 685-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. de Vries ◽  
E. H. van der Waaij ◽  
J. A. M. van Arendonk

AbstractGenetic parameters were estimated for litter size in two prolific sheep breeds, i.e. the Zwartbles and the synthetic breed Swifter. Genetic parameters and breeding values for litter size in different parities were estimated using both a repeatability and a multivariate animal model. The estimated heritability from the repeatability model was 0·10 for the Zwartbles and 0·12 for the Swifter. For the multivariate model, heritability of litter size in first, second and third parity was 0·05, 0·07 and 0·10 for the Zwartbles and 0·09, 0·12 and 0·09 for the Swifter. Genetic correlation for litter size in Swifter was 0·81 between parity 1 and 2 and 0·99 between parity 2 and 3. For the Zwartbles genetic correlations were all very close to unity. Environmental correlations between litter size in subsequent parities were not constant over parities. Phenotypic variance in litter size in both breeds was 0·309 in first parity and was almost 50% higher in later parities. Based on the results it is recommended to apply a multiple trait model.


2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafedh Ben Zaabza ◽  
Abderrahmen Ben Gara ◽  
Hedi Hammami ◽  
Borni Jemmali ◽  
Mohamed Amine Ferchichi ◽  
...  

Abstract. Multi-trait Bayesian procedure was used to estimate genetic parameters for reproductive traits in Tunisian Holstein cows. A total of 31 348 lactations of the calving years 2005 to 2012 were analyzed. Fertility traits were the calving interval (CI), days open (DO), days to first insemination (DFI), days from first insemination to conception (FIC), and number of inseminations per conception (NI). Posterior means of heritabilities of CI, DO, DFI, FIC, and NI were 0.047, 0.03, 0.025, 0.024, and 0.069, respectively. Posterior means of repeatabilities of the same respective traits were 0.106, 0.094, 0.051, 0.036, and 0.17. Genetic correlations among female fertility traits were also computed. Calving interval and DO had the highest genetic correlation estimate (0.85) because they have overlapping genetic meanings. The lowest genetic correlation estimate (−0.25) was found between DFI and NI. Genetic parameter estimates are low and are even lower than those reported in most literature, implying that more focus should be put upon improving the management of reproduction in dairy cattle herds in Tunisia.


Author(s):  
I.J. Ohagenyi ◽  
F.C. Iregbu ◽  
V.C. Udeh

Background: This study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of body weight and some colour traits in seventh generation (G7) index selected Nigerian Heavy Local Chicken Ecotype (NHLCE) progenies at point of lay to 12 weeks. Methods: 5 sires and 12 hens were used to generate the progenies used for the experiment. Traits measured included weekly body weight, egg colour, beak colour and feather colour. Data collected were subjected to one way analysis of variance in a Paternal half sib analysis using Animal model of SAS (2003). Four weeks body weight measurements, egg colour, beak colour and feather colour for 5 sires ranged from 1.29±0.05 1.54±0.07; 2.55±0.02 to 4.00±0.02; 2.45±0.02 to 4.83±0.02 and 1.73±0.02 to 4.58±0.04 respectively. Result: The new Duncan’s multiple range test shows that sire families are similar (p greater than 0.05) in the body weight and beak colour, but significantly differed (p greater than 0.05) in the egg colour and feather colour. The heritability estimates of mature body weight for week 3 was medium, while estimates of heritability for weekly mature body weight for weeks 1, 2 and 4, egg colour, beak colour and feather colour of NHLCE were low heritability. Low h2 of traits suggest that progeny and pedigree selection could be employed for improvement of the egg colour, beak colour and feather colour of NHLCE. The study showed positive genetic correlations between beak colour and egg colour, negative genetic correlations between beak and feather colour. This means that no decision can be taken in isolation as the selection of one trait will have consequences on other traits.


2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Albera ◽  
R. Mantovani ◽  
G. Bittante ◽  
A. F. Groen ◽  
P. Carnier

AbstractEstimates of genetic parameters for beef production traits were obtained for Piemontese cattle. Data were from 988 young bulls station-tested from 1989 till 1998. Bulls entered the station at 6 to 8 weeks of age and, after an adaptation period of 3 months, were tested for growth, live fleshiness and bone thinness. Length of test was 196 days. Growth traits considered were gain at farm, gain during the adaptation period, gain on test and total gain at the station. Six different fleshiness traits and bone thinness were scored on live animals at the end of the test using a linear system. Live evaluations of fleshiness were adjusted for the weight at scoring in order to provide an assessment of conformation independent of body size. Genetic parameters were estimated using animal models. Heritability of live-weight gain ranged from 0·20 in the adaptation period to 0·60 for total gain at the station. Genetic correlations between gains at station in different periods were high (from 0·63 to 0·97). Residual correlation between gain during the adaptation period and gain during test was negative, probably due to the occurrence of compensatory growth of the animals.Live fleshiness traits and bone thinness were of moderate to high heritability (from 0·34 to 0·55) and highly correlated indicating that heavy muscled bulls also have thin bones. Accuracy of breeding values and therefore response to selection were improved by multiple trait analysis of the live fleshiness traits and bone thinness. Overall weight gain at the station had a moderate negative genetic correlation with all live fleshiness traits and bone thinness (from –0·11 to –0·39).


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