The genetic and genomic effects of Nellore lineages on feed efficiency, intake and performance

Author(s):Show less -

de Almeida Santana, Miguel Henrique ^[1] ; Gebim Polizel, Guilherme Henrique ^[1] ; Grigoletto, Lais ^[2] ; Fernandes, Aricia Christofaro ^[1] ; Bonin, Marina de Nadai ^[3] ; Gomes, Rodrigo da Costa ^[4] ; Carvalho, Minos Esperandio ^[2] ; da Luz e Silva, Saulo ^[1] ; Leme, Paulo Roberto ^[1] ; Rossi Junior, Paulo ^[5] ; Sterman Ferraz, Jose Bento ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Zootecnia & Engn Alimentos, Dept Anim Sci, Av Duque de Caxias Norte 225, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Zootecnia & Engn Alimentos, Dept Vet Med, Av Duque de Caxias Norte 225, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Dept Anim Sci, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Av Costa E Silva S-N, BR-79070900 Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

^[4] EMBRAPA, CNPGC, Empresa Brasileira Pesquisa Agr, BR 262 Km 4, BR-79002970 Campo Grande, MS - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Parana UFPR, Dept Anim Sci, Rua Funcionarios 1550, BR-80035050 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: LIVESTOCK SCIENCE; v. 228, p. 104-108, OCT 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The capacity of beef cattle to transform feed into meat is fundamental to this production system, but it has not been accounted for in the genetic selection of Nellore animals, a main tropical breed. The objective of the present study was to verify differences in the genetic effects between Nellore lineages, allied to the inclusion of genomic data in these estimates. Phenotypic data of 2058 Nellore cattle were used for the following traits: average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). The pedigree contained 9,079 animals, of which 2226 were genotyped. Eleven main founders were selected of the Nellore breed (Founder), as well as 19 new founders (Breeder), with cattle that are highly representative animals of this breed. The genetic and genomic effects of each founder and its accuracy were estimated by the average information restricted maximum likelihood method using the program BLUPF90. There was genetic variability in Nellore lineages in terms of performance, feed intake and efficiency, and the accuracy of these estimates increased with the inclusion of genomics. Thus, it is possible to choose progenitors of the best lineages, with better genetic potential and good accuracy, to improve these traits in beef production. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/20571-2 - Functional genomics of feed intake and efficiency in Nellore cattle
• Grantee: Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/26902-0 - Use of genetic variance in dynamic mechanistic models of growth to predict cattle performance and carcass composition under feedlot conditions
• Grantee: Mateus Castelani Freua
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/07566-2 - Genomics applied to ruminant production
• Grantee: José Bento Sterman Ferraz
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/02039-9 - Genomic study of feed intake and efficiency in Nellore cattle
• Grantee: José Bento Sterman Ferraz
• Support type: Regular Research Grants