Parameter estimates for reproductive and carcass traits in Nelore beef cattle

Author(s)

Buzanskas, M. E. ; Pires, P. S. ; Chud, T. C. S. ; Bernardes, P. A. ; Rola, L. D. ; Savegnago, R. P. ; Lobo, R. B. ; Munari, D. P.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Theriogenology; v. 92, p. 204-209, APR 1 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for scrotal circumference at 365 (SC365) and 450 (SC450) days of age, age at first calving (AFC), ribeye area (REA), backfat (BF) thickness, and rump fat (RF) thickness, in order to provide information on potential traits for Nelore cattle breeding program. Genetic parameters were estimated using the Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood method in single- and multitrait analyses. Four different animal models were tested for SC365, SC450, REA, BF, and RF in single-trait analyses. For SC365 and SC450, the maternal genetic effect was statistically significant (P < 0.01) and was included for multitrait analyses. The direct heritability estimates for SC365, SC450, AFC, REA, BF, and RF were equal to 0.31, 0.38, 0.24, 032, 0.16, and 0.19, respectively. Maternal heritability for SC365 and SC450 was equal to 0.06 and 0.08, respectively. The highest genetic correlations were found among the scrotal circumferences. Testing for the inclusion of maternal effects in genetic parameters estimation for scrotal circumference should be evaluated in the Nelore breeding program, mostly for correctly ranking the animal's estimated breeding values. Similar heritability estimates were observed for scrotal circumference, as well as favorable genetic correlations of this trait with AFC and carcass traits. Thus, scrotal circumference measured at 365 days of age could be a target trait for consideration in the Nelore selection index in order to improve most of the traits herein analyzed. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Inc. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/20091-0 - Prediction of breeding values in a experimental mice population using selective genotyping
• Grantee: Rodrigo Pelicioni Savegnago
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/08939-0 - Identification of copy number variations in Girolando cattle
• Grantee: Tatiane Cristina Seleguim Chud
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/13972-0 - Production and characterization of multipotente and induced pluripotent cells in Blastocerus dichotomus
• Grantee: Luciana Diniz Rola
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/19335-2 - Study of admixture level in Canchim breed and ma genetic group animals using high density single nucleotide polymorphism markers
• Grantee: Marcos Eli Buzanskas
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/25096-6 - Imputation, linkage desequilibrium, haplotype blocks and inbreeding in Nelore cattle
• Grantee: Priscila Arrigucci Bernardes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate