Estimates of direct and maternal (co)variance components as well as genetic parameters of growth traits in Nellore sheep

In the present study, (co)variance components and genetic parameters in Nellore sheep were obtained by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method using six different animal models with various combinations of direct and maternal genetic effects for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6MW), 9-month weight (9MW) and 12-month weight (YW). Evaluated records of 2075 lambs descended from 69 sires and 478 dams over a period of 8 years (2007–2014) were collected from the Livestock Research Station, Palamaner, India. Lambing year, sex of lamb, season of lambing and parity of dam were the fixed effects in the model, and ewe weight was used as a covariate. Best model for each trait was determined by log-likelihood ratio test. Direct heritability for BW, WW, 6MW, 9MW and YW were 0.08, 0.03, 0.12, 0.16 and 0.10, respectively, and their corresponding maternal heritabilities were 0.07, 0.10, 0.09, 0.08 and 0.11. The proportions of maternal permanent environment variance to phenotypic variance (Pe²) were 0.07, 0.10, 0.07, 0.06 and 0.10 for BW, WW, 6MW, 9MW and YW, respectively. The estimates of direct genetic correlations among the growth traits were positive and ranged from 0.44(BW-WW) to 0.96(YW-9MW), and the estimates of phenotypic and environmental correlations were found to be lower than those of genetic correlations. Exclusion of maternal effects in the model resulted in biased estimates of genetic parameters in Nellore sheep. Hence, to implement optimum breeding strategies for improvement of traits in Nellore sheep, maternal effects should be considered.     

Calving performance and calf mortality

The most important maternal factor influencing calving performance is parity. Among calf factors, birth weight seems the most important. There are large differences between breeds and, generally speaking, heavier beef and dual-purpose breeds present more problems than smaller cattle. Variation in calving performance and stillbirth may be attributed to characters of both the calf and the dam. Genetic variation in calving performance and stillbirth at first calving has been demonstrated in several investigations for both the direct (calf) and the maternal character.In a Swedish investigation a heritability of 10% was found for both the direct and the maternal character. For stillbirth values were on average 3%. A strong genetic relationship was found between calving performance and birth weight as direct characters (r_GD = 0.98) but for the maternal characters it was considerably weaker (r_GM = 0.60). Correlations between stillbirth rate and birth weight were generally weaker, because the relationship was non-linear. Estimations of the genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects gave values between zero and ?0.5 for the characters investigated, indicating an antagonistic relationship between the genetic make-up of the cow and the calf. This implies that, in the long run, selection will not be as effective as the heritabilities suggest.A substantial improvement in calving performance and calf mortality can be achieved, however, through selection within breeds, optimal organization of breeding structures, choice of appropriate beef breeds for cross-breeding on heifers and cows, respectively, and timing calving to occur at favourable ages and in favourable seasons.     

Estimation of (co)variance components for birth weight in Nellore cattle using alternative data editing criteria

The aim of this study was to estimate the (co)variance components and breeding values for birthweight (BW) in Nellore cattle by considering or not identical weights that exhibit a high frequency within the contemporary group (CG). A total of 175,258 BW records of Nellore cattle born between 2002 and 2018 were used. The CG was formed by farm, year of birth, sex and feeding regime at birth. CGs with more than 16% of identical BW values were eliminated, generating a data file called BWd. Another file was created without removing these animals (BWt). A mixed linear model was used for statistical analysis, which included fixed and random effects. In both data files analysed, single-trait analysis was performed by Bayesian inference. The mean direct and maternal heritability for BW and the correlation between direct and maternal effects were 0.27, 0.07 and −0.07 for BWt, respectively, and 0.30, 0.093 and −0.07 for BWd. This method should affect the estimation of genetic merits of animals for BW, providing greater safety in the choice of sires.     

Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates for growth traits in Boer goat

An understanding of influencing factors and genetic principles affecting the growth traits is needed to implement optimal breeding and selection programs. In this study, heritabilities (direct additive and maternal) of body weights at birth (BW0), 90 days (BW90) and 300 days (BW300) of age and average daily gains from birth to 90 days (ADG0-90), birth to 300 days (ADG0-300) and 90 days to 300 days (ADG90–300) of age in Boer goats were estimated on the basis of 1520 Boer goats at Boer Goat Breeding Station in Yidu, China, during 2002–2007. The parameters were estimated using a DFREML procedure by excluding or including maternal genetic or permanent maternal environmental effects, four analysis models were fitted in order to optimize the model for each trait. Influencing factors such as parity, litter size, kidding year and season, as well as sex of kids and some significant interactions among these factors were investigated as the fixed effects for the models. The results showed that the birth year and maternal genetic effects such as parity and litter size of dam were important determinants of the genetic parameter estimates for pre-weaning growth traits, and environmental effects such as birth year, season and sex of kids had some significant effect on post-weaning growth traits. The mean values and standard errors (SE) of direct additive heritability estimates calculated with the optimum model were 0.17 ± 0.07, 0.22 ± 0.08, 0.07 ± 0.07, 0.10 ± 0.08, 0.30 ± 0.12 and 0.08 ± 0.10 for BW0, BW90, ADG0-90, BW300, ADG0-300 and ADG90–300, respectively. For pre-weaning weights, correlation estimates between direct additive and maternal genetic (r_a–m) effect were high and negative ranging from − 0.74 to − 0.86.     

Analyses of growth curves of nellore cattle by multiple-trait and random regression models

The purpose of this study was to compare estimates of genetic parameters for sequential growth of beef cattle using two models and two data sets. Growth curves of Nellore cattle were analyzed using body weights measured at ages 1 (birth weight) to 733 d. Two data samples were created, one with 71,867 records sampled from all herds (MISS), and the other with 74,601 records sampled from herds with no missing traits (NMISS). Records preadjusted to a fixed age were analyzed by a multiple-trait model (MTM), which included the effects of contemporary group, age of dam class, additive direct, additive maternal, and maternal permanent environment. Analyses were by REML, with five traits at a time. The random regression model (RRM) included the effects of age of animal, contemporary group, age of dam class, additive direct, additive maternal, permanent environment, and maternal permanent environment. All effects were modeled as cubic Legendre polynomials. These analyses were also by REML. Shapes of estimates of variances by MTM were mostly similar for both data sets for all except late ages, where estimates for MISS were less regular, and for birth weight with MISS. Genetic correlations among ages for the direct and maternal effects were less smooth with MISS. Genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were more negative for NMISS, where few sires were maternal grandsires. Parameter estimates with RRM were similar to MTM cept that estimates of variances showed more artifacts for MISS; the estimates of additive direct-maternal correlations were more negative with both data sets and approached -1.0 for some ages with NMISS. When parameters of a growth model obtained by used for genetic evaluation, these parameters should be examined for consistency with parameters from MTM and prior information, and adjustments may be required to eliminate artifacts.     

Variance components and genetic parameters for weight and size at birth in the Boer goat

Variance components, heritability (direct additive and maternal) and correlations (additive genetic, phenotypic, maternal genetic and environmental) of body weight (BW) and body size including length (BL), height (BH) and chest girth (BCG) at birth in Boer goats were estimated on the basis of 5096 records obtained from a Boer Goat Breeding Station in Yidu, China, during 2001–2005. The parameters were estimated using a DFREML procedure by excluding or including maternal genetic or permanent maternal environmental effects, four different analysis models were fitted in order to determine the optimum model for each trait. The environmental factors such as year, season, sex and litter size (LS, number of kids) were investigated as the fixed effects. The results showed that the maternal effects were important determinants of estimated the genetic parameters for birth traits. Year and season had significant effect on birth traits. Single births and male kids had the heaviest live weight and the largest body size at birth. The mean values and standard deviation (SD) of BW, BL, BH and BCG were 3.87 ± 0.85 kg, 31.67 ± 2.87 cm, 32.92 ± 2.80 cm, 33.46 ± 3.21 cm. The mean values and standard error (SE) of direct additive heritability estimates for BW, BL, BH and BCG calculated with the optimum model were 0.19 ± 0.08, 0.14 ± 0.07, 0.24 ± 0.09 and 0.25 ± 0.10, respectively. For all the birth traits, estimates of the correlations between direct additive and maternal genetic (r_a–m) were negative. The estimates of additive genetic and phenotypic correlations among the birth traits were high and positive, and implied no genetic antagonisms among these traits analyzed. The estimates of maternal genetic correlations also were high and positive. Medium and positive environmental correlations indicated the important effects of environmental factors on early growth traits.     

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.     

Estimates of direct and maternal genetic effects for weights from birth to 600 days of age in Nelore cattle

Estimates of direct and maternal variance and heritability for weights at each week (up to 280 days of age) and month of age (up to 600 days of age) in Zebu cattle are presented. More than one million records on 200 000 animals, weighed every 90 days from birth to 2 years of age, were available. Data were split according to week (data sets 1) or month (data sets 2) of age at recording, creating 54 and 21 data sets, respectively. The model of analysis included contemporary groups as fixed effects, and age of dam (linear and quadratic) and age of calf (linear) effects as covariables. Random effects fitted were additive direct and maternal genetic effects, and maternal permanent environmental effect. Direct heritability estimates decreased from 0.28 at birth, to 0.12–0.13 at about 150 days of age, stayed more or less constant at 0.14–0.16 until 270 days of age and increased with age after that, up to 0.25–0.26. Maternal heritability estimates increased from birth (0.01) to a peak of 0.14 for data sets 1 and 0.07–0.08 for data sets 2 at about 180–210 days of age, before decreasing slowly to 0.07 and 0.05, respectively, at 300 days, and then rapidly diminished after 300 days of age. Permanent environmental effects were 1.5 to four times higher than genetic maternal effects and showed a similar trend.     

Diversity analysis of sheep breeds from Southern peninsular and Eastern regions of India

Information is presented on the genetic diversity and relationship among six Indian sheep breeds/populations belonging to the Southern peninsular and Eastern agroecological zones, based on microsatellite markers. Parameters of genetic variation, viz., allele diversity, observed heterozygosity, gene diversity and population inbreeding estimates, were calculated for the six breeds. The allele diversity ranged from 6.40 to 7.92, whereas the gene diversity varied from 0.617 to 0.727. The highest allele and gene diversity was observed for Nellore sheep, while the lowest was exhibited by Garole breed. Within population inbreeding estimate (F _IS) revealed a significant deficit of heterozygotes in Deccani, Madgyal, Nellore and Garole, whereas Ganjam and Chhotanagpuri sheep showed an excess of heterozygotes. The contribution of each breed to the total diversity of the breeds was quantified by the Weitzman approach. The marginal loss of diversity incurred with removal of Nellore and Garole breeds was higher (>27%), whereas removal of Deccani breed resulted in lowest loss of diversity (3.84%) from the set. Estimation of the genetic differentiation (F _ST) and genetic distance (D _A) between the pairs of breeds revealed a close relationship between Deccani and Madgyal sheep (F _ST = 0.017; D _A = 0.080) and greatest demarcation between Madgyal and Garole breeds (F _ST = 0.110; D _A = 0.622). The information generated would help in shaping genetic management and conservation programs for the sheep breeds under consideration.     

Genetic variability of maternal effect on body measurements and its intra‐ and inter‐genetic relationship with direct effect in Japanese Black calves

This study was conducted to evaluate the importance of maternal effect on body measurement traits at an early stage of growth, and to estimate the genetic relationships between direct and maternal effects and among body measurement traits at 0 month (0‐mo) and 4 months (4‐mo) of age in a population of Japanese Black calves. Body measurements and body weight of 889 Japanese Black calves were estimated with the use of an animal model by the Residual Maximum Likelihood procedure. Direct heritabilities were low to moderate, ranging between 0.17 ± 0.09 and 0.48 ± 0.13 at 0‐mo, and slightly lower, ranging between 0.15 ± 0.07 and 0.33 ± 0.13 at 4‐mo. Estimated maternal heritabilities were low to moderate, ranging between 0.08 ± 0.07 and 0.33 ± 0.07 at 0‐mo and 0.13 ± 0.06 to 0.33 ± 0.06 at 4‐mo. The direct genetic correlations between 0‐mo and 4‐mo were moderate to highly positive, ranging from 0.53 ± 0.23 to 0.96 ± 0.09. The estimated direct genetic correlation of chest width with other width traits was low and positive at both ages, whereas with hip width it was high and positive (0.80 ± 0.09) at 0‐mo, suggesting that simultaneous improvement of body width of the front and back parts is possible. Maternal genetic effects were relatively independent of direct genetic effects for body measurement traits and can be considered in genetic evaluation.     

Maternal effects on daily weight gain and ultrasonically recorded backfat in swedish landrace,swedish yorkshire,and swedish hampshire purebred pigs

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic association between direct and maternal effects for important economic traits measured early and late in the growth period; daily gain (DG) between birth and 12 weeks of age (DG_0-12), between 12 weeks of age and ultrasonic test (at approx. 100 kg; DG_12-UT), between birth and ultrasonic test (DG_0-UT); and backfat at ultrasonic test (BF). Records from Landrace (L; 39,130), Yorkshire (Y; 33,737), and Hampshire (H; 17,832) pigs born between 1997 and 2001 from the Swedish breeding organization Quality Genetics databank were available. Univariate and bivariate analyses were applied. Two statistical models were used. The first model applied for all traits, included the random effect of herd-birth year-birth month combination, the litter environmental effects, and the direct genetic effects. The second model applied only for DG_0-UT and BF, and included also the maternal genetic effects. Based on the first single-trait model, estimates of direct heritability (h²) were 0.12, 0.09, and 0.43 for DG_0-12; 0.16, 0.22, and 0.41 for DG_12-UT; 0.18, 0.24, and 0.28 for DG_0-UT; and 0.37, 0.42, and 0.43 for BF in the L, Y, and H breeds respectively. Estimates of litter environmental effects ranged from 0.05 to 0.17. Based on the second single-trait model, the maternal genetic effects were 0.03, 0.05, and 0.09 for DG_0-UT, and 0.02, 0.01, and 0.04 for BF. Estimates of direct h² from the second model were lower and ranged from 0.14 to 0.42 for all traits across breeds. Moderate-low genetic correlation between DG_0-12 and DG_12-UT (?0.25 to 0.40) and high correlation between DG_12-UT and DG_0-UT (0.84 to 0.96) were noted in all three breeds together with less maternal influence on traits expressed late in life. This indicates the possibility to treat early growth rate as a maternal trait, and late or overall growth rate as a direct trait in the breeding evaluation.     

Choice of statistical model for estimating genetic parameters using restricted maximum likelihood in swine

Summary Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) was used to determine the choice of statistical model, additive genetic maternal and common litter effects and consequences of ignoring these effects on estimates of variance–covariance components under random and phenotypic selection in swine using computer simulation. Two closed herds of different size and two traits, (i) pre‐weaning average daily gain and (ii) litter size at birth, were considered. Three levels of additive direct and maternal genetic correlations (r_dm) were assumed to each trait. Four mixed models (denoted as GRM1 through GRM4) were used to generate data sets. Model GRM1 included only additive direct genetic effects, GRM2 included only additive direct genetic and common litter effects, GRM3 included only additive direct and maternal genetic effects and GRM4 included all the random effects. Four mixed animal models (defined as EPM1 through EPM4) were defined for estimating genetic parameters similar to GRM. Data from each GRM were fitted with EPM1 through EPM4. The largest biased estimates of additive genetic variance were obtained when EPM1 was fitted to data generated assuming the presence of either additive maternal genetic, common litter effects or a combination thereof. The bias of estimated additive direct genetic variance (VA_d) increased and those of recidual variance (VE) decreased with an increase in level of r_dm when GRM3 was used. EPM1, EPM2 and EPM3 resulted in biased estimation of the direct genetic variances. EPM4 was the most accurate in each GRM. Phenotypic selection substantially increased bias of estimated additive direct genetic effect and its mean square error in trait 1, but decreased those in trait 2 when ignored in the statistical model. For trait 2, estimates under phenotypic selection were more biased than those under random selection. It was concluded that statistical models for estimating variance components should include all random effects considered to avoid bias.     

Genetic associations between flight speed and growth traits in Nellore cattle

The aim of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for flight speed and its association with growth traits in Nellore beef cattle. The flight speed (FS) of 7,402 yearling animals was measured, using a device composed of a pair of photoelectric cells. Time interval data (s) were converted to speed (m/s) and faster animals were regarded as more reactive. The growth traits analyzed were weaning weight (WW), ADG from weaning to yearling age, and yearling scrotal circumference (SC). The (co)variance components were estimated using REML in a multitrait analysis applying an animal model. The model included random direct additive genetic and residual effects, fixed effects of contemporary groups, age of dam (classes), and age of animal as covariable. For WW, the model also included maternal genetic and permanent environmental random effects. The direct heritability estimate for FS was 0.26 ± 0.05 and direct heritability estimates for WW, SC, and ADG were 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.48 ± 0.02, and 0.19 ± 0.01, respectively. Estimates of the genetic correlation between FS and the growth traits were -0.12 ± 0.07 (WW), -0.13 ± 0.08 (ADG), and -0.11 ± 0.07 (SC). Although the values were low, these correlations showed that animals with better temperaments (slower FS) tended to present better performance. It is possible to infer that longterm selection for weight and scrotal circumference can promote a positive genetic response in the temperament of animals. Nevertheless, to obtain faster genetic progress in temperament, it would be necessary to perform direct selection for such trait. Flight speed is an easily measured indicator of temperament and can be included as a selection criterion in breeding programs for Nellore cattle.     

Genetic parameters for litter size,piglet growth and sow's early growth and body composition in the Chinese–European line Tai Zumu

Genetics of piglet growth in association with sow's early growth and body composition were estimated in the Tai Zumu line. Piglet and sow's litter growth traits were calculated from individual weights collected at birth and at 3 weeks of age. Sow's litter traits included the number of piglets born alive (NBA), the mean piglet weight (MW) and the standard deviation of weights within the litter (SDW). Sow's early growth was measured by the age at 100 kg (A₁₀₀), and body composition included backfat thickness (BF₁₀₀). A main objective of this study was to estimate separately the direct genetic effect (d) and the maternal genetic effect (m) on piglet weight and daily weight gain during lactation. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood methodology based on animal models. The heritability estimates were 0.19 for NBA, 0.15 and 0.26 for SDW and MW at 3 weeks and 0.42 and 0.70 for A₁₀₀ and BF₁₀₀. The NBA was almost independent from SDW. Conversely, the A₁₀₀ and BF₁₀₀ were correlated unfavourably with SDW (r_g<−0.24, SE<0.12). A stronger selection for litter size should have little effect on litter homogeneity in weights. Selection for lean growth rate tends to favour heterogeneity in weights. The direct effect on piglet weight at birth and daily weight gain accounted for 12% (h² (d) = 0.02) and 50% (h² (d) = 0.11) of the genetic variance, respectively. The association between d and m for piglet weight was not different from zero at birth (r_g = 0.19, SE = 0.27), but a strong antagonism between d and m for daily weight gain from birth to 3 weeks was found (r_g = −0.41, SE = 0.17). Substantial direct and maternal genetic effects influenced piglet growth until weaning in opposite way.     

The contribution of dominance and inbreeding depression in estimating variance components for litter size in Pannon White rabbits

In a synthetic closed population of Pannon White rabbits, additive (V_A), dominance (V_D) and permanent environmental (V_Pe) variance components as well as doe (b_Fd) and litter (b_Fl) inbreeding depression were estimated for the number of kits born alive (NBA), number of kits born dead (NBD) and total number of kits born (TNB). The data set consisted of 18,398 kindling records of 3883 does collected from 1992 to 2009. Six models were used to estimate dominance and inbreeding effects. The most complete model estimated V_A and V_D to contribute 5.5 ± 1.1% and 4.8 ± 2.4%, respectively, to total phenotypic variance (V_P) for NBA; the corresponding values for NBD were 1.9 ± 0.6% and 5.3 ± 2.4%, for TNB, 6.2 ± 1.0% and 8.1 ± 3.2% respectively. These results indicate the presence of considerable V_D. Including dominance in the model generally reduced V_A and V_Pe estimates, and had only a very small effect on inbreeding depression estimates. Including inbreeding covariates did not affect estimates of any variance component. A 10% increase in doe inbreeding significantly increased NBD (b_Fd = 0.18 ± 0.07), while a 10% increase in litter inbreeding significantly reduced NBA (b_Fl = ?0.41 ± 0.11) and TNB (b_Fl = ?0.34 ± 0.10). These findings argue for including dominance effects in models of litter size traits in populations that exhibit significant dominance relationships.     

Dominance genetic and maternal effects for genetic evaluation of egg production traits in dual-purpose chickens

• 1.?A study was conducted to study direct dominance genetic and maternal effects on genetic evaluation of production traits in dual-purpose chickens. The data set consisted of records of body weight and egg production of 49 749 Mazandaran fowls from 19 consecutive generations. Based on combinations of different random effects, including direct additive and dominance genetic and maternal additive genetic and environmental effects, 8 different models were compared.

• 2.?Inclusion of a maternal genetic effect in the models noticeably improved goodness of fit for all traits. Direct dominance genetic effect did not have noticeable effects on goodness of fit but simultaneous inclusion of both direct dominance and maternal additive genetic effects improved fitting criteria and accuracies of genetic parameter estimates for hatching body weight and egg production traits.

• 3.?Estimates of heritability (h²) for body weights at hatch, 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age (BW0, BW8 and BW12, respectively), age at sexual maturity (ASM), average egg weights at 28–32 weeks of laying period (AEW), egg number (EN) and egg production intensity (EI) were 0.08, 0.21, 0.22, 0.22, 0.21, 0.09 and 0.10, respectively. For BW0, BW8, BW12, ASM, AEW, EN and EI, proportion of dominance genetic to total phenotypic variance (d²) were 0.06, 0.08, 0.01, 0.06, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.07 and maternal heritability estimates (m²) were 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, 0.13, 0.21, 0.07 and 0.03, respectively. Negligible coefficients of maternal environmental effect (c²) from 0.01 to 0.08 were estimated for all traits, other than BW0, which had an estimate of 0.30.

• 4.?Breeding values (BVs) estimated for body weights at early ages (BW0 and BW8) were considerably affected by components of the models, but almost similar BVs were estimated by different models for higher age body weight (BW12) and egg production traits (ASM, AEW, EN and EI). Generally, it could be concluded that inclusion of maternal effects (both genetic and environmental) and, to a lesser extent, direct dominance genetic effect would improve the accuracy of genetic evaluation for early age body weights in dual-purpose chickens.

     

Genetic determination of individual birth weight, litter weight and litter size in Mukota pigs

Genetic parameters for individual birth weight (IBWT), total number of pigs born (NBT), number of pigs born alive (NBA), number of pigs born dead (NBD) and litter weight at birth (LBWT) were estimated using 1961 Mukota pigs kept at the University of Zimbabwe Farm, Harare, Zimbabwe. Variance components were estimated for IBWT based on a direct-maternal genetic effects model. The genetic relationships among NBT, NBA, NBD and LBWT were assessed using a multi-trait direct effects model. For LBWT, the direct, maternal and common environmental litter proportions on the phenotypic variance were 0.090, 0.033 and 0.009, respectively. After adjustment of IBWT for NBA, phenotypic fractions were 0.091, 0.034 and 0.011 for direct, maternal and litter effects. The correlation between the direct and maternal genetic effects of IBWT was − 0.354 and − 0.295, with and without adjustment for NBT. Heritabilities for NBT, NBA, NBD and LBWT were 0.020, 0.030, 0.088 and 0.196, respectively. Differences in the maternal heritability and the heritability for LBWT, a trait of the dam, are different due to accumulation of observations per litter. Maternal genetic effects are, therefore, of less importance than in highly selected European breeds.     

Genetic (co)variances for calving difficulty score in composite and parental populations of beef cattle: I. Calving difficulty score, birth weight, weaning weight, and postweaning gain

Heritability of 2-yr-old heifer calving difficulty score was estimated in nine purebred and three composite populations with a total of 5,986 calving difficulty scores from 520 sires and 388 maternal grandsires. Estimates were 0.43 for direct (calf) genetic effects and 0.23 for maternal (heifer) genetic effects. The correlation between direct and maternal effects was -0.26. Direct effects were strongly positively correlated with birth weight and moderately correlated with 200-d weight and postweaning gain. Smaller negative correlations of maternal calving difficulty with direct effects of birth weight, weaning weight, and postweaning gain were estimated. Calving difficulty was scored from 1 to 7. Predicted heritabilities using seven optimal scores were similar to those using four scores. The predicted heritability using only two categories was reduced 23%. Phenotypic and direct genetic variance increased with increasing average population calving difficulty score. The estimated direct and maternal heritabilities for 2-yr-old calving difficulty score were larger than many literature estimates. These estimates suggested substantial variance for direct and maternal genetic effects. The direct effects of 2-yr-old calving difficulty score seemed to be much more closely tied to birth weight than were maternal effects.     

Variance components and breeding values for growth traits from different statistical models.

Estimates of genetic parameters resulting from various analytical models for birth weight (BWT, n = 4,155), 205-d weight (WWT, n = 3,884), and 365-d weight (YWT, n = 3,476) were compared. Data consisted of records for Line 1 Hereford cattle selected for postweaning growth from 1934 to 1989 at ARS-USDA, Miles City, MT. Twelve models were compared. Model 1 included fixed effects of year, sex, age of dam; covariates for birth day and inbreeding coefficients of animal and of dam; and random animal genetic and residual effects. Model 2 was the same as Model 1 but ignored inbreeding coefficients. Model 3 was the same as Model 1 and included random maternal genetic effects with covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects, and maternal permanent environmental effects. Model 4 was the same as Model 3 but ignored inbreeding. Model 5 was the same as Model 1 but with a random sire effect instead of animal genetic effect. Model 6 was the same as Model 5 but ignored inbreeding. Model 7 was a sire model that considered relationships among males. Model 8 was a sire model, assuming sires to be unrelated, but with dam effects as uncorrelated random effects to account for maternal effects. Model 9 was a sire and dam model but with relationships to account for direct and maternal genetic effects; dams also were included as uncorrelated random effects to account for maternal permanent environmental effects. Model 10 was a sire model with maternal grandsire and dam effects all as uncorrelated random effects. Model 11 was a sire and maternal grandsire model, with dams as uncorrelated random effects but with sires and maternal grandsires assumed to be related using male relationships. Model 12 was the same as Model 11 but with all pedigree relationships from the full animal model for sires and maternal grandsires. Rankings on predictions of breeding values were the same regardless of whether inbreeding coefficients for animal and dam were included in the models. Heritability estimates were similar regardless of whether inbreeding effects were in the model. Models 3 and 9 best fit the data for estimation of variances and covariances for direct, maternal genetic, and permanent environmental effects. Other models resulted in changes in ranking for predicted breeding values and for estimates of direct and maternal heritability. Heritability estimates of direct effects were smallest with sire and sire-maternal grandsire models.     

Relevance of the variability of kidding day in Creole goats in Guadeloupe

The results of 5732 records of kids born between 1985 and 1996 at Gardel Agricultural Experiment Station (INRA) in Guadeloupe, were used in order to estimate the effect of kidding day (KD) on individual preweaning growth performances, total productivity of Creole goats and litter size. The flock was subjected to a restricted mating season for a long time, by using male effect. The results of the fixed linear model showed a highly significant (P<0.001) effect of KD on growth rate and total productivity of does. Live weights of kids born around the 21st day of the kidding period (KP) was 4% to 7% higher than those of kids born the first day of the KP. For total productivity of does, this ratio did not reached more than 4%. The optimum at 70 days of age occurred around 14th day of the KD with 3% of improvement of total productivity. No effect was observed upon litter size. The genetic (co)variance components were estimated by six different Individual Animal Models. The heritability (h²) estimated from the best model, was h_D²=0.25±0.05 for genetic direct effect; h_M²=0.09±0.04 for genetic maternal effect and the genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects was −0.86±0.12. The use of KD could be highly recommended in a breeding program in this population of Creole meat goats, since it is quite easy to record under commercial conditions as a character related to reproductive performance.