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Genetic parameters for milk yield and reproductive traits in Honduran Holstein cattle.

Genetic parameters for milk yield and reproductive traits in Honduran Holstein cattle.

Authors :
Estrada-León RJ
Valladares-Rodas MA
Vázquez ACS
Monforte JGM
Correa JCS
Parra-Bracamonte GM
Source :
Tropical animal health and production [Trop Anim Health Prod] 2024 May 25; Vol. 56 (5), pp. 175. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 25.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the (co)variance components and genetic parameters for milk yield adjusted to 305d (MY305), calving-to-conception interval (CCI), number of services per conception (NSC) and calving interval (CI) of Honduran Holstein cows, by fitting a bivariate animal model using Maximum Restricted Likelihood procedures. Model included the fixed effects of calving number, the contemporary calving group (farm-season-year of calving and the cow age as covariate). The estimated means and standard deviations for MY, CCI, NSC and CI were, 5098.60 ± 1564.32 kg, 168.27 ± 104.71 days, 2.46 ± 1.69 services, and 448.73 ± 109.16 days, respectively; and their estimated heritabilities were 0.21 ± 0.05, 0.03 ± 0.028, 0.02 ± 0.024 and 0.06 ± 0.04, respectively. The genetic correlations between MY305 and CCI, NSC and CI were positive and antagonist, with values of 0.64 ± 0.52, 0.99 ± 0.56, and 0.32 ± 0.24 respectively. Even though moderate to low heritability was estimated for MY305, systematic selection for milk yield, with a reduction in reproductive efficiency, if considered as the only selection criterion is important to be considered. By including reproductive traits and considering permanent environment effects into the breeding program, might yield a slow, but constant and permanent improvement over time.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1573-7438
Volume :
56
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Tropical animal health and production
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38789604
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-024-04028-5