| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Bussiman, Fernando de Oliveira
[1]
;
Fonseca e Silva, Fabyano
[2]
;
Bueno Carvalho, Rachel Santos
[3]
;
Ventura, Ricardo Vieira
[1]
;
Mattos, Elisangela Chicaroni
[4]
;
Sterman Ferraz, Jose Bento
[4]
;
Eler, Joanir Pereira
[4]
;
de Carvalho Balieiro, Julio Cesar
[1]
Total Authors: 8
|
| Affiliation: | [1] Univ Siio Paulo BIOMA VNP FMVZ USP, Dept Anim Nutr & Prod, Bioinformat & Anim Breeding Lab, Coll Vet Med & Anim Sci, Av Duque de Caxias Norte 225, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil
[2] Fed Univ Vicosa DZO UFV, Dept Anim Sci, Av PH Rolfs S-N, BR-36750900 Vicosa, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo ZAB FZEA USP, Coll Anim Sci & Food Engn, Dept Basic Sci, Av Duque de Caxias Norte 225, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo GMAB ZMV FZEA USP, Coll Anim Sci & Food Engn, Dept Vet Med, Grp Anim Breeding & Biotechnol, Av Duque de Caxias Norte 225, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | LIVESTOCK SCIENCE; v. 255, JAN 2022. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 0 |
| Abstract | |
It is well known that locomotion and morphology are related. Several studies have been performed over the years showing the genetic correlation between them in horses. However, none could reveal the possible causative link between those traits in this species. The aim of this study was to apply statistical causal inference to dissect the possible causative links between morphology and locomotion traits in Campolina horses. It was used 49,994 horses with records for 28 traits. All phenotypic records were adjusted for fixed (contemporary group, stud, and age) and random (technician) effects except the animal genetic effect. All missing observations were removed, and the final dataset was left with 640 adjusted records for all traits. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to build a measurement model for three latent traits: Morphology (M), Morphological quality (Q) and Locomotion traits (L). Here it was assumed that morphology and locomotion cannot be directly measured, but only morphological and locomotion aspects. A multitrait animal model was performed to obtain breeding values (EBV) for the three latent traits, and factor scores from CFA were adjusted for the EBV. The adjusted factor scores were used as input in structural equation models to investigate all possible causative links among latent traits. The measurement model showed acceptable fit to the data, and the differences between sample and modelimplied (co)variance matrices were low (0.01). L had low heritability estimate (0.03) whereas M and Q had moderate (0.21 and 0.36, respectively). All genetic correlations were negative, but those between Q and the others were favorable for selection. There is a causative direct effect of Q over M (-0.30) and an indirect over L (-0.10). It was found a causative effect of M on L (0.35). Knowing causal paths among traits will help breeders to take selection decisions and may have important implications for strategies in horse improvement. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/26465-3 - Use of simulation and modelling as a tool to identify animals to be genotyped |
| Grantee: | Fernando de Oliveira Bussiman |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |