Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle
This study aimed to derive additional fertility traits from service data and estimate their genetic parameters for their possible inclusion in the South African Holstein cattle breeding programs. Service records (<i>n</i> = 64,464) were collected from 18 South African Holstein herds usin...
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/16/2023 |
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| author | Ramadimetje Delight Kgari Carel Muller Kennedy Dzama Mahlako Linah Makgahlela |
| author_facet | Ramadimetje Delight Kgari Carel Muller Kennedy Dzama Mahlako Linah Makgahlela |
| author_sort | Ramadimetje Delight Kgari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to derive additional fertility traits from service data and estimate their genetic parameters for their possible inclusion in the South African Holstein cattle breeding programs. Service records (<i>n</i> = 64,464) were collected from 18 South African Holstein herds using on-farm automated milk recording systems. Using a multivariate model, the data were used to estimate heritabilities and correlations among several fertility traits. The pedigree data consisted of information on 18,592 animals born between 1981 and 2013. Heritability estimates observed were low to moderate (0.02 ± 0.00 to 0.24 ± 0.00), indicating that there is some genetic basis for the explored fertility traits to warrant selection. The genetic correlations observed between fertility traits were generally favorable, with some high correlations between age at first service (AFS) and services per conception for heifers (SPCh) (0.73 ± 0.00) and between days from calving to first service (CFS) and services per conception for cows (SPC) (0.90 ± 0.01). Positive genetic correlations indicate that improvement in one trait is coupled with a correlated genetic increase in another trait. The studied fertility traits could be used in addition to AFC and CI to serve as a basis for the selection of reproduction in dairy cattle to minimize selection bias. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:00:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-08ad8036ca864babbe3c4fa76e3e0363 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:00:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-08ad8036ca864babbe3c4fa76e3e03632023-11-30T23:03:33ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-08-011216202310.3390/ani12162023Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein CattleRamadimetje Delight Kgari0Carel Muller1Kennedy Dzama2Mahlako Linah Makgahlela3Agricultural Research Council, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South AfricaDepartment of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South AfricaDepartment of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South AfricaAgricultural Research Council, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South AfricaThis study aimed to derive additional fertility traits from service data and estimate their genetic parameters for their possible inclusion in the South African Holstein cattle breeding programs. Service records (<i>n</i> = 64,464) were collected from 18 South African Holstein herds using on-farm automated milk recording systems. Using a multivariate model, the data were used to estimate heritabilities and correlations among several fertility traits. The pedigree data consisted of information on 18,592 animals born between 1981 and 2013. Heritability estimates observed were low to moderate (0.02 ± 0.00 to 0.24 ± 0.00), indicating that there is some genetic basis for the explored fertility traits to warrant selection. The genetic correlations observed between fertility traits were generally favorable, with some high correlations between age at first service (AFS) and services per conception for heifers (SPCh) (0.73 ± 0.00) and between days from calving to first service (CFS) and services per conception for cows (SPC) (0.90 ± 0.01). Positive genetic correlations indicate that improvement in one trait is coupled with a correlated genetic increase in another trait. The studied fertility traits could be used in addition to AFC and CI to serve as a basis for the selection of reproduction in dairy cattle to minimize selection bias.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/16/2023cow fitnessgenetic improvementheritability |
| spellingShingle | Ramadimetje Delight Kgari Carel Muller Kennedy Dzama Mahlako Linah Makgahlela Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle Animals cow fitness genetic improvement heritability |
| title | Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle |
| title_full | Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle |
| title_fullStr | Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle |
| title_short | Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Heifer and Cow Fertility Traits Derived from On-Farm AI Service Records of South African Holstein Cattle |
| title_sort | estimation of genetic parameters for heifer and cow fertility traits derived from on farm ai service records of south african holstein cattle |
| topic | cow fitness genetic improvement heritability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/16/2023 |
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