Estimation of heritability for hip dysplasia in German Shepherd Dogs in Finland

The heritability of hip dysplasia in the German Shepherd Dog was estimated by applying the animal model and the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method to a data‐set which consisted of the hip scores of 10335 dogs. Fixed effects of the model were the month and the year of birth, screening age, the panelist responsible for screening and the origin of the animal's sire. The litter and the breeder had only minor effects on hip joints. Heritability estimates were moderate (0.31–0.35). The moderate heritability, which was found in this study, enables a much better genetic gain in the breeding programme, if proper evaluation methods, such as BLUP animal model, and effective selection is used instead of phenotypic selection.     

Estimates of genetic parameters for hip and elbow dysplasia in Finnish Rottweilers

Data from 2,764 Rottweiler dogs born from 1987 to 1996 were analyzed with a Restricted Maximum Likelihood procedure using a mixed linear animal model to obtain variance component estimates for hip and elbow dysplasia. The data included 2,764 hip dysplasia and 2,278 elbow dysplasia records. Hip joints were scored as normal (0), borderline (1), slight (2), moderate (3), and severe (4, 4.5, and 5) hip dysplasia. Elbow joints were graded normal or borderline (0), slight (1), moderate (2), and severe (3) elbow dysplasia. The mean for the hip scores was 1.07 and for the elbow scores .60. Environmental effects influencing hip dysplasia were age, birth year, birth year x season interaction, and experience of the veterinarian responsible for x-raying the dog. For elbow dysplasia, statistically significant effects were age, birth year, sex of the dog, and panelist responsible for each screening. Estimates of heritability for hip and elbow dysplasia were .58 +/- .04 and .31 +/- .04, respectively, with a genetic correlation of .37 +/- .08 between the traits. Genetic improvement of almost one genetic standard deviation was observed in both traits during the 10 yr covered by the data.     

Passive hip laxity in Estrela Mountain Dog--distraction index, heritability and breeding values

Two hundred and fifteen Estrela Mountain Dogs (EMD) were examined using the PennHIP method between 2002 and 2006. Passive hip laxity (PHL) was estimated calculating the distraction index (DI). Pedigree information was obtained from the Portuguese Kennel Club. The heritability and breeding values were estimated using the linear Animal Model. The DI, using as reference the worst joint of each animal, ranged from 0.15 to 1.12 (0.55 +/- 0.19). The PHL was equal in right and left sides, and was higher in females than in males (P > 0.05 and P <0.01 in the t-test, respectively). The estimated heritability was 0.83 +/- 0.11. The mean breeding values for PHL were stable in EMD born between 1991 and 2003, and showed an improvement in 2004 and 2005. The data confirm high PHL in breeds with high prevalence and severity of canine hip dysplasia. The high heritability indicates that the DI could be reduced in the breed if PHL were used as a selection criterion. The early favourable evolution of DI breeding values could be related with the increase of voluntary radiographic hip screening in the last years, and the subsequent introduction of hip quality as a breeding criterion.     

大尾寒羊体尺性状的遗传参数估计

利用动物模型BLUP法对大尾寒羊体尺性状进行了遗传力估计。结果表明,体重、体高、体长和胸围的遗传力分别为0.14、0.11、0.11和0.15,它们属于中等遗传力(0.1相似文献   

Association between radiographic assessment of hip status and subsequent incidence of veterinary care and mortality related to hip dysplasia in insured Swedish dogs

Our objective was to evaluate the association between grading of hip status as assessed by radiographic examination (hip screening) and subsequent incidence of veterinary care and mortality related to hip dysplasia (HD) in five breeds of insured dogs in Sweden. Screening results for hip status from the Swedish Kennel Club and data on veterinary care and mortality from the insurance company Agria were merged based on the registration number of the dog. Dogs of five breeds (Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers) screened during 1995–2004 and covered by an insurance plan for veterinary care or life at the time of screening were included. The study populations included between 1667 and 10,663 dogs per breed. Breed-specific multivariable Cox proportional-hazards analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of radiographic hip status on time from hip screening to first HD-related veterinary and life claim, respectively. The effects of gender, birth season, and a time-varying covariate of year were also studied. Additional analyses, on the five breeds combined, were performed to investigate the effects of hip status, breed, and the interaction between hip status and breed. The effect of hip status was highly significant (P < 0.001) for both life and veterinary claims related to HD in all five breeds with increased hazard ratio (HR) for deteriorating hip status. Dogs with moderate or severe hip status at screening had a markedly increased hazard of HD-related veterinary care and mortality compared with dogs assessed as free or mild. The time-varying covariate of year showed a significantly higher HR in the last time period for German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers in the analyses of veterinary claims. In the analyses on all five breeds, German Shepherds had the highest HR for both veterinary care and mortality related to HD, followed by Bernese Mountain Dogs. Golden and Labrador Retrievers had the lowest HR. The effect of hip status on the hazard was the same irrespective of breed. However, as a consequence of differences between breeds in overall risk, the predictive ability of screening results for subsequent incidence of HD-related problems for individual dogs was breed-dependent. Based on the strong association between radiographic hip status and incidence of HD-related veterinary care and mortality, and the previously reported moderate heritability of hip status, we conclude that selection based on screening results for hip status can be expected to reduce the risk of HD-related clinical problems.     

Genetic parameters and relationships between hip height and weight in Brahman cattle

Genetic parameters for weaning hip height (WHH), weaning weight (WWT), postweaning hip height growth (PHG), and hip height at 18 mo of age (HH18) and their relationships were estimated for Brahman cattle born from 1984 to 1994 at the Subtropical Agricultural Research Station, Brooksville, FL. Records per trait were 889 WHH, 892 WWT, and 684 HH18. (Co)variances were estimated using REML with a derivative-free algorithm and fitting three two-trait animal models (i.e., WHH-WWT, WHH-PHG, and WWT-HH18). Heritability estimates of WHH direct effects were 0.73 and 0.65 for models WHH-WWT and WHH-PHG and were 0.29 and 0.33 for WWT direct for models WHH-WWT and WWT-HH18, respectively. Estimates of heritability for PHG and HH18 direct were 0.13 and 0.87, respectively. Heritability estimates for maternal effects were 0.10 and 0.09 for WHH for models WHH-WWT and WHH-PHG and 0.18 and 0.18 for WWT for models WHH-WWT and WWT-HH18, respectively. Heritability estimates for PHG and HH18 maternal were 0.00 and 0.03. Estimates of the genetic correlation between direct effects for the different traits were moderate and positive; they were also positive between WHH and WWT maternal and WWT and HH18 maternal but negative (-0.19) between WHH and PHG maternal, which may indicate the existence of compensatory growth. Negative genetic correlations existed between direct and maternal effects for WHH, WWT, PHG, and HH18. The correlation between direct and WWT maternal effects was low and negative, moderate and negative between WHH direct and PHG maternal, and high and negative (-0.80) between WWT direct and HH18 maternal. There is a strong genetic relationship between hip height and weight at weaning that also affects hip height at 18 mo of age. Both product-moment and rank correlations between estimated breeding values (EBV) for direct values indicate that almost all of the same animals would be selected for PHG EBV if the selection criterion used was WHH EBV, and that it is possible to accomplish a preliminary selection for HH18 EBV using WHH EBV. Correlations between breeding values for WHH, WWT, and HH18 indicate that it will be possible to identify animals that will reduce, maintain, or increase hip height while weaning weight is increased. Thus, if the breeding objective is to manipulate growth to 18 mo of age, implementation of multiple-trait breeding programs considering hip height and weight at weaning will help to predict hip height at 18 mo of age.     

Effect of dam and sire qualitative hip conformation scores on progeny hip conformation

OBJECTIVE: To determine in dogs what effect using hip conformation scores assigned by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) as a criterion for breeding selections would have on hip conformation scores of the progeny. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. ANIMALS: English Setters, Portuguese Water Dogs, Chinese Shar-peis, and Bernese Mountain Dogs for which OFA hip conformation scores were known. PROCEDURE: Pedigree data were obtained from the national breed clubs and the American Kennel Club and merged with data from the OFA hip conformation score database. An ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of sex, age at the time of radiographic evaluation, and year of birth on the variation in hip conformation scores among the progeny. Heritability was estimated by use of within-year midparent offspring regression analyses. RESULTS: Significant differences in progeny hip conformation scores between sexes were not detected, but age at the time of radiographic evaluation and year of birth had a significant effect on hip joint conformation of the progeny. Estimated heritability (mean +/- SE) was 0.26 +/- 0.03, and dam and sire hip conformation scores had a significant effect on progeny hip conformation scores. Annual decreases in percentage of dysplastic progeny and increases in percentages of progeny and breeding dogs with phenotypically normal hip joint conformation were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that hip conformation scores have moderate heritability in dogs and selection of breeding stock with better hip conformation scores will increase the percentage of progeny with phenotypically normal hip joint conformation.     

Genetic evaluation of elbow scores and the relationship with hip scores in UK Labrador retrievers

A linear mixed model analysis of elbow and hip score data from UK Labrador retrievers was used to estimate the heritability of elbow score (0.16-0.19) and to determine a moderate and beneficial genetic correlation with hip score (0.40). A small improvement in the genetic trend of elbow score was observed during the years 2000-2008, equivalent to avoiding only the worst 3-4% of scored dogs for breeding, but close to what may have been anticipated if the current British Veterinary Association-approved guidelines were followed. Calculations suggested that a correlated response to indirect selection on hip score may elicit a greater response than direct selection on elbow score and that the genetic trend in elbow score may be explained as a consequence of the stronger selection pressure that has been placed on hip score. Increases in the accuracy of estimated breeding values for elbow score of 4-7% for dogs with elbow data only and 7-11% for dogs with both hip and elbow score were observed from bivariate analysis of elbow and hip data. A selection index confirmed the benefits of bivariate analysis of elbow and hip score data by identifying increases in accuracy (directly related to the response to selection) of 14% from the use of optimum coefficients compared to use of hip data only. The quantified genetic correlation means that hip score effectively acts as a 'secondary indicator' of elbow score in this breed and the preponderance of hip data means that it acts as a major source of information that may be used to improve the accuracy of estimates of genetic risk for elbow dysplasia.     

Selection for feed efficiency does not change the selection for growth and carcass traits in Nellore cattle

The objectives were to conduct a genetic evaluation of residual feed intake (RFI) and residual feed intake adjusted for fat (RFIFat) and to analyse the effect of selection for these traits on growth, carcass and reproductive traits. Data from 945 Nellore bulls in seven feed efficiency tests in a feedlot were analysed. Genetic evaluation was performed using an animal model in which the feed efficiency test and age of the animal at the beginning of the test were considered as a systematic effect. Direct additive genetic and residual effects were considered as random effects. Correlations and genetic gains were estimated by two‐trait analysis between feed efficiency measures (RFI and RFIFat) and other traits. Feed conversion showed low heritability (0.06), but dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain, RFI, RFIFat, metabolic body weight and scrotal circumference measured at 450 days of age (SC450) showed moderate to high heritability (0.49, 0.28, 0.33, 0.36, 0.38 and 0.80, respectively). Similarly, ribeye area, backfat thickness, rump cap fat thickness, marbling score and subcutaneous fat thickness also had high heritability values (0.46, 0.37, 0.57, 0.51 and 0.47, respectively). Genetic correlations between RFI and SC450 were null, and between RFIFat and SC450 were strongly positive. Genetic and phenotypic correlations of RFI and RFIFat with carcass traits were not different from zero, as correlated responses for carcass traits were also not different from zero. The Nellore selection for feed efficiency by RFI or RFIFat allows the recognition of feed efficient animals, with DMI reduction and without significant changes in growth and carcass traits. However, because of the observed results between RFIFat and SC450, selection of animals should be analysed with caution and a preselection for reproductive traits is necessary to avoid reproductive impairments in the herd.     

内蒙古白绒山羊产羔数遗传评估的研究

本研究旨在对内蒙古白绒山羊产羔数进行遗传评估,进一步提高其繁殖性能.试验数据来源于内蒙古白绒山羊种羊场1998-2013年的繁殖性能记录,首先,利用SAS软件的GLM程序确定影响产羔数的固定效应;其次,应用重复力动物模型的约束最大似然法(REML)估计产羔数的遗传力,该模型中考虑的随机效应包括个体加性效应和母体永久环境效应.结果表明,母羊年龄和产羔年份对产羔数影响极显著(P< 0.01),群对产羔数影响显著(P< 0.05),其他因素均不显著(P >0.05).产羔数的遗传力为0.13,属于中等偏低遗传.表明根据表型直接选择,产羔数的遗传进展可能会慢一些.     

Comparison of estimates of hip dysplasia genetic parameters in Estrela Mountain Dog using linear and threshold models

Genetic parameters, breeding values, and genetic trends of hip dysplasia in Estrela Mountain Dogs were estimated using a linear model (LM) and a threshold model (TM). A database with 313 animals was used. Right and left hip joints were individually scored, according to the Fédération Cynologic Internationale grading rules of the canine hip dysplasia system, as normal (1), borderline (2), slight (3), moderate (4), and severe (5 and 6). The estimate of repeatability was lower in LM (0.86) than in TM (0.90). The same tendency was verified with the heritability because its estimate in LM was 0.38 and in TM was 0.43. However, these results did not establish any statistical differences between the models. The genetic trend of canine hip dysplasia for LM and TM showed a similarity in shape, but considerable individual differences were found in the EBV ranking lists. Therefore, the selection of breeding animals would not be the same with the 2 methodologies. To select the best method for genetic evaluation of hip dysplasia, further studies using more data and other dog breeds are required.     

Bias in heritability estimates from genomic restricted maximum likelihood methods under different genotyping strategies

We investigated the effects of different strategies for genotyping populations on variance components and heritabilities estimated with an animal model under restricted maximum likelihood (REML), genomic REML (GREML), and single‐step GREML (ssGREML). A population with 10 generations was simulated. Animals from the last one, two or three generations were genotyped with 45,116 SNP evenly distributed on 27 chromosomes. Animals to be genotyped were chosen randomly or based on EBV. Each scenario was replicated five times. A single trait was simulated with three heritability levels (low, moderate, high). Phenotypes were simulated for only females to mimic dairy sheep and also for both sexes to mimic meat sheep. Variance component estimates from genomic data and phenotypes for one or two generations were more biased than from three generations. Estimates in the scenario without selection were the most accurate across heritability levels and methods. When selection was present in the simulations, the best option was to use genotypes of randomly selected animals. For selective genotyping, heritabilities from GREML were more biased compared to those estimated by ssGREML, because ssGREML was less affected by selective or limited genotyping.     

闭锁群体BLUP选择下遗传方差和近交系数的变化

采用计算机随机模拟方法模拟了在一个闭锁群体内连续对单个性状进行 1 5个世代选择的情况。选择过程中世代不重叠 ,每个世代的种畜根据动物模型最佳线性无偏预测 (BLUP)法估计的育种值进行选留 ,并在此基础上系统地比较了不同群体规模、公母比例和性状遗传力对群体遗传方差和近交系数变化的影响。结果表明 ,扩大育种群规模、增加公畜比例以及对低遗传力性状进行选择时 ,群体遗传方差降低的速度和近交系数上升的速度会更慢 ,在长期选择时可望获得更大的持续进展和适宜的近交增量     

性别比例和性状遗传力对闭锁群体BLUP选择效果的影响

采用MonteCarlo方法模拟研究了性别比例和性状遗传力对闭锁群体动物模型BLUP选择效果的影响 ,选育过程中世代不重叠 ,共进行了 1 5个世代的选择。结果表明性别比例对群体育种值和近交系数的变化都有明显的影响。在育种值达到最大值以前 ,群体平均育种值提高的速度随着公畜比例的增加而有所减慢 ,但会使育种值达到最大值的时间后移 ,在育种值达到最大值后 ,其下降的速度则随着公畜比例的降低而加快。随着公畜比例的增加 ,群体近交系数的上升速度会明显变慢。高遗传力性状的选择效果要优于低遗传力性状     

Direct and maternal genetic parameters for measures of feed consumption and feed efficiency in young male Japanese Black cattle

Direct and maternal genetic parameters for measures of feed consumption and feed efficiency were estimated using data recorded on 514 performance tested young male Japanese Black cattle during the period from 1978–2004. Measures of feed consumption were daily feed intake, concentrate intake, ratio of roughage intake to feed intake, total digestible nutrient intake, digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) and metabolizable energy intake. Feed efficiency traits included feed conversion ratio (FCR), total digestible nutrient conversion ratio (TCR), digestible crude protein conversion ratio (DCR) and residual feed intake. Data were analyzed using three alternative animal models (including direct and direct plus maternal genetic effects (including or excluding covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects)). The direct heritability estimates for all the measures of feed consumption and feed efficiency were moderate to high, suggesting that sufficient genetic variation exists in these traits which should respond to selection. All the measures of feed consumption were genetically more strongly correlated with residual feed intake than with other measures of feed efficiency. Maternal heritability estimates for DCPI, FCR and TCR were not significantly different from zero, while the corresponding estimates for all the studied traits were low (ranged from 0.07 to 0.24). The estimates of direct heritability for measures of feed consumption were reduced up to 34% when maternal genetic effect was considered in the model. An antagonistic relationship existed between direct and maternal genetic effect (r_am) for FCR and DCR, which biased the estimates of direct heritability downwards. The results indicate that maternal effects play an important role in measures of feed consumption and most of the feed efficiency traits, which should be accounted for these traits in genetic evaluation system.     

Genetic parameters of racing performance traits of Quarter horses in Brazil

The data used in the present study were recorded at the Jockey Club of Sorocaba for 5094 racing performance of 1350 Quarter Horses at the Paulista Race Track of Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil, from 1991 to 1997. The considered traits were time and final rank. The model used in analysis included random animal and permanent environmental effects, and race, sex, age and origin as fixed effects. The variance and covariance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood for an animal model, using the derivative-free process method and the MTDFREML software. For the time, heritability was 0.17 (0.05), while estimate of repeatability 0.55 (0.05). The lower heritability for the final rank, 0.13 (0.04), indicate that this trait is not the most appropriate one for inclusion in programs of Quarter horse selection in Sorocaba racetrack. The repeatability estimate for rank was 0.44 (0.04) and the genetic correlation between this trait and time was 0.99.     

Bayesian estimates of genetic parameters for metritis, retained placenta, milk fever, and clinical mastitis in Holstein dairy cows via Gibbs sampling

The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlations between the liabilities of clinical mastitis (CM), milk fever (MF), metritis (MET), and retained placenta (RP) within the first three lactations of Holstein dairy cows. The records of 57,301 dairy cows from 20 large dairy herds in Iran between January 2005 and June 2009 were analysed with univariate and bivariate threshold animal models, using Gibbs sampling methodology. The final model included the fixed class effects of herd-year, season of calving, parity of dam, the linear covariate effect of age at calving, and the random direct genetic effect of animal. Posterior means of heritability for liabilities in first, second, and third lactations were 0.06, 0.08, and 0.09, respectively, for CM; 0.10, 0.12, and 0.11, respectively, for MF; 0.09, 0.07, and 0.10, respectively, for MET, and 0.07, 0.08, and 0.08, respectively, for RP. Posterior means of genetic correlations between disease liabilities were low or moderate (from −0.01 to 0.26). The results of this study indicated the importance of health traits for considering in the selection index of Iranian Holstein dairy cows.     

动物模型BLUP选择效果的计算机模拟研究

在采用动物模型最佳线性无偏预测(BLUP) 方法对个体育种值进行估计的基础上, 模拟了在一个闭锁群体内连续对单个性状选择10个世代的情形, 并系统地比较了群体规模、公母比例和性状遗传力对选择所获得的遗传进展和群体近交系数变化的影响。结果表明, 扩大育种群规模不仅可以获得更大的持续进展, 同时还可有效缓解近交系数的过快上升; 育种群中公畜比例过低时, 不仅会降低遗传进展, 群体近交系数的上升速度也会加快, 实际中应保证育种群具有一定的规模和适宜的公母比例。对高遗传力性状进行选择时, 可望获得更大的遗传进展, 同时近交系数的上升速度也会快一些。     

Heritabilities and genetic trends for elbow score as recorded by the New Zealand Veterinary Association Elbow Dysplasia Scheme (1992–2013) in four breeds of dog

AIM: To estimate the heritability of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) elbow phenotype, obtain estimated breeding values (EBV) for the worst-elbow score and estimate the genetic trends for this trait in four populous breeds of dogs, using the records from the NZVA Canine Elbow Dysplasia Scheme database (1992–2013).

METHODS: Overall, 4,070 elbow records from a pedigree of 11,311 dogs were available for animals scored between 1992 and 2013. The worst elbow score between the left and right elbows was identified for each dog and used for EBV analysis. Estimates of heritability and EBV for the elbow score of dogs from German Shepherd dog, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and Rottweiler breeds were obtained using restricted maximum likelihood procedures with a within-breed linear animal model. The model included the fixed effects of sex and birth year, with age at scoring as a covariable, and the random effect of animal. Genetic trends for the worst-elbow score were calculated as the regression coefficient of the EBV, weighted by reliabilities, on year of birth.

RESULTS: The estimates of heritability for worst-elbow score were 0.25 (SE 0.06) in German Shepherd dogs, 0.46 (SE 0.06) in Labrador Retrievers, 0.18 (SE 0.07) in Golden Retrievers and 0.29 (SE 0.11) in Rottweilers. The genetic trend for German Shepherd dogs was ?0.0082 (SE 0.0015), for Labrador Retrievers was ?0.0016 (SE 0.0016), for Golden Retrievers was ?0.0033 (SE 0.0010) and for Rottweilers was ?0.0070 (SE 0.0023) units per annum, which were different from zero (p<0.01) in all breeds except Labrador Retrievers.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A small but favourable response to selection was achieved by three of the four breeds in the study period; during which selection for elbow traits has been largely voluntary. While the magnitude of genetic change in terms of elbow units per annum may appear small, it must be remembered that elbow scoring grades only range from 0–3. Greater improvement may be possible if compulsory screening was a requirement for pedigree breeding stock, and if greater selection pressure were applied on the basis on an individual’s EBV, rather than the worst-elbow score alone. The maintenance of an open registry, with transparency of EBV information made available to all breeders, may enhance selection intensity opportunities and potentially assist with the process and progress of breeding selection.     

Estimation of genetic population variables for six radiographic criteria of hip dysplasia in a colony of Labrador Retrievers

OBJECTIVE: To estimate genetic population variables for 6 radiographic criteria of canine hip dysplasia (CHD). ANIMALS: 664 full- and half-siblings from a colony of Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURE: Heritability estimates and genetic correlations were calculated for 6 radiographic criteria of CHD. Two evaluation protocols were compared: the grade of the most severely affected hip joint and the sum of the scores for both hip joints. The predictive performance of estimated breeding values was also evaluated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CHD (Federation Cynologique Internationale grades C, D, and E) was 29.6%. Median age at radiographic examination was 377 days. Heritability for the total CHD grade, Norberg angle (NA), coverage of the femoral head (COV), craniodorsal acetabular rim (ACR), subchondral bone sclerosis (SUBCH), shape of the femoral head and neck (FHN), and osteoarthritic changes at the insertion site of the joint capsule (JC) was estimated as follows: 0.44, 0.43, 0.46, 0.37, 0.32, 0.21, and 0.05, respectively. Heritability estimates were slightly higher for the sum of the scores for both hip joints. If NA and COV were included as fixed effects in the model for the dependent variables ACR, SUBCH, FHN, and JC , then heritability of these traits significantly decreased (0.08 to 0.15). High scores of NA and COV lead to a significant increase of the scores of the remaining criteria. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Canine hip dysplasia is heritable to a moderate degree. Signs of subluxation revealed the highest heritability estimates. The criteria ACR, SUBCH, FHN, and JC were strongly influenced by NA and COV.