Genetics of early conception and its relationship to growth traits in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (10) ◽  
pp. 1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Archer ◽  
G. W. Asher ◽  
P. J. Fisher ◽  
J. F. Ward ◽  
I. C. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Phenotypic Standard Deviation ◽  
Conception Date ◽  
Selection For

The genetics of early conception success and live-animal growth were studied in five herds of red deer in New Zealand. Conception date (CD) was used as the criterion of success in seasonally mated hinds, with 2493 mating records available. Liveweights analysed were weaning weight, yearling weight, 15-month weight and mature weight (hinds only). CD and liveweights were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood procedures with an animal model, including all available pedigree records. Under the management conditions applied, CD had a phenotypic standard deviation of 7.9 days, a repeatability across years of 0.29 ± 0.03 and a direct (univariate) heritability of 0.20 ± 0.06. Regression procedures using DNA markers to adjust the data for genetic differences resulting from an animal’s ancestral region of origin (mainly western vs eastern European) had little effect on the parameter estimates above. Direct heritability estimates for the four weight traits were 0.38 ± 0.03, 0.49 ± 0.02, 0.48 ± 0.04 and 0.46 ± 0.04, respectively, while the genetic correlations between CD and these traits (e.g. using 1763 paired records of CD with yearling weight) were –0.24 ± 0.11, –0.24 ± 0.09, –0.16 ± 0.10 and –0.04 ± 0.09, respectively. Selection for earlier CD would be successful and compatible with selection for higher juvenile weights.

Estimates of genetic parameters for pre-weaning and post-weaning growth traits of Chios lambs

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Mavrogenis ◽  
A. Louca ◽  
O. W. Robison
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Daily Gain

ABSTRACTData on 792 Chios lambs born during the 1972/73 and 1973/74 lambing seasons were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for birth weight, weaning weight, age at weaning, pre-weaning daily gain, body weight at 5, 10, 15 and 20 weeks of age, and postweaning daily gain. Body weight at 15 weeks of age had the highest heritability estimate (0·73 ± 0·17) and that of post-weaning daily gain was also high (0·56 ± 0·15). Selection for either weight at 15 weeks or post-weaning daily gain would be expected to yield a greater response than selection for pre-weaning daily gain or weaning weight. Genetic correlations among weights and/or gains were positive (approximately 0·20). Phenotypic correlations among weights and gains were generally higher than genetic correlations. However, the correlation between pre— and post-weaning daily gain was small (0·08). Likewise, post-weaning daily gain had low correlations with all weights before 10 weeks. Age at weaning had moderate negative associations with all weights but a very low positive correlation with post-weaning daily gain.

Natural variation and genetic parameters in Fraser fir for growth and Christmas tree traits

1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1480-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Arnold ◽  
J.B. Jett ◽  
S.E. McKeand
Keyword(s):  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Christmas Tree ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Fraser Fir ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Height Class

Open-pollinated progeny trials of Fraser fir (Abiesfraseri (Pursh) Poir.) assessed at 8 years provided genetic parameter estimates for growth, Christmas tree quality traits, and wholesale value at harvest age. Significant variation was found between and within nine different seed sources. Estimated individual tree heritabilities of important traits ranged from a low of 0.13 for USDA Christmas tree grade to a moderate value of 0.33 for crown diameter. Heritabilities within the better performing seed sources tended to be higher. Of the two traits that determine wholesale value, USDA grade and height class, the latter proved to have the greater influence, both phenotypically and genetically. Genetic correlations of early age height growth with 8-year total height, height class, USDA Christmas tree grade, and individual tree wholesale value proved favorable and strong (range of 0.57–0.96). In combination with moderate heritabilities for early growth traits, such correlations provide potential for effective early age selections in Fraser fir Christmas trees.

Selection for cow lifetime pregnancy rate using bull and heifer growth and reproductive traits in composite cattle

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 507-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. B. Mwansa ◽  
R. A. Kemp ◽  
D. H. Crews Jr ◽  
J. P. Kastelic ◽  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Genetic Change ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Scrotal Circumference ◽  
Selection For

Genetic correlations of lifetime pregnancy rate with bull and heifer growth and reproductive traits in a beef composite population were estimated. Yearling scrotal circumference had an unfavorable genetic correlation (rg = −0.25) while yearling tonometer score was favorably related (rg = 0.22) to lifetime pregnancy rate. Heifer pregnancy rate, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and age at puberty in heifers had significant genetic correlations (rg = 0.97, 0.58, 0.57, 0.33 and −0.21, respectively) with lifetime pregnancy rate. Lifetime pregnancy rate may be successfully predicted by easy-to-measure heifer growth traits. Using indices including scrotal and heifer growth traits, annual genetic change in lifetime pregnancy rate may be increased 3.1 times compared with direct selection. Key words: Scrotal circumference, tonometer, pregnancy, reproduction, puberty

The effect of conception date on gestation length of red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2008 ◽  
Vol 109 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 206-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.C. Scott ◽  
G.W. Asher ◽  
J.A. Archer ◽  
R.P. Littlejohn
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Conception Date

Grassland performance of Hereford cattle selected for rate and efficiency of lean gain on a concentrate diet

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Lean Growth ◽  
Hereford Cattle ◽  
Selection For

AbstractThe performance of 273 Hereford calves from lines previously selected for lean growth rate (LGR) or lean food conversion efficiency (LFCR), on a concentrate diet, was evaluated on a grassland diet over a period of 3 years. Both bull and heifer calves were tested, and each year the performance test ran from the 1st week of May (average age of 233 days) until the 1st week of October. Carcass lean content was predicted from body weight and ultrasonic backfat depth, and lean gain was calculated from the product of live-weight gain and predicted carcass lean content. The LGR line was superior to the control (C) line for live-weight gain on test, lean gain on test and lean gain from birth until the end of test. The LFCR line performed similarly to the C line for live-weight gain on test and lean gain on test, but was inferior for total lean gain. For lean gain on test, the proportional differences between the lines were similar to those predicted from parental breeding values for LGR, but they were smaller for total lean gain. The lines did not differ significantly for either fat depth or predicted carcass lean content.Heritabilities were high for all growth traits, e.g. 0·52 (s.e. 0·17), 0·54 (s.e. 0·17) and 0·59 (s.e. 0·17) for live-weight gain on test, lean gain on test and total lean gain, but lower for fat depth and carcass lean content, 0·25 (s.e. 0·17) and 0·14 (s.e. 0·16), respectively. Genetic correlations with LGR, measured on a concentrate diet, were 0·57 for lean gain on test and 0·56 for total lean gain. If only males were considered, these correlations rose to 0·80 and 0·70, respectively. Coheritabilities between the two environments for lean growth were close to 0·3. It is concluded that although there is some evidence for genotype × environment and genotype × sex interactions, selection for lean growth on a concentrate regimen will still be effective in improving grassland performance.

scholarly journals Genomic analysis reveals a polygenic architecture of antler morphology in wild red deer (Cervus elaphus)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Peters ◽  
Jisca Huisman ◽  
Loeske E.B. Kruuk ◽  
Josephine M. Pemberton ◽  
Susan E. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Empirical Bayes ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Sexually Selected Traits ◽  
Selected Traits

AbstractSexually-selected traits show large variation and rapid evolution across the animal kingdom, yet genetic variation often persists within populations despite apparent directional selection. A key step in solving this long-standing paradox is to determine the genetic architecture of sexually-selected traits to understand evolutionary drivers and constraints at the genomic level. Antlers are a form of sexual weaponry in male red deer. On the island of Rum, Scotland, males with larger antlers have increased breeding success, yet there has been no response to selection observed at the genetic level. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of this observation, we investigate the genetic architecture of ten antler traits and their principle components using genomic data from >38,000 SNPs. We estimate the heritabilities and genetic correlations of the antler traits using a genomic relatedness approach. We then use genome-wide association and haplotype-based regional heritability to identify regions of the genome underlying antler morphology, and an Empirical Bayes approach to estimate the underlying distributions of allele effect sizes. We show that antler morphology is heritable with a polygenic architecture, highly repeatable over an individual’s lifetime, and that almost all aspects are positively genetically correlated with some loci identified as having pleiotropic effects. Our findings suggest that a large mutational target and pleiotropy with traits sharing similar complex polygenic architectures are likely to contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation in antler morphology in this population.

scholarly journals Genetic Parameter Estimates for Growth Traits from Diallel Tests of Loblolly Pine Throughout the Southeastern United States

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 101-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Mckeand ◽  
B. Li ◽  
J. E. Grissom ◽  
F. Isik ◽  
K. J. S. Jayawickrama
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Additive Genetic Variance ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Narrow Sense ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Individual Tree

Abstract Variation in heritability and in genetic correlation estimates were evaluated for juvenile tree height and volume for six testing areas of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in the southeastern United States. Variance components and their functions (heritability and type B genetic correlations) were estimated from 265 six-parent disconnected diallel series, tested in almost 1000 trials (4 tests per diallel series). Original data were collected at age 6 years from about one million trees (265 diallel series x 30 crosses x 36 trees per cross/site x 4 sites) planted in field tests. Genetic tests were from the second cycle of breeding in the North Carolina State University - Industry Cooperative Tree Improvement Program. The overall unbiased individual-tree narrow-sense heritability for height was 0.19 and for volume was 0.16. The broad-sense heritabilities for height (0.24) and for volume (0.22) were higher than narrow-sense heritabilities due to the presence of non-additive genetic variance. There were moderate regional differences in these estimates, with tests in the Lower Gulf Coastal Plain tending to have the highest heritabilities for growth traits. There was very little association between site index and heritability, but heritabilities were higher on sites with the highest survival and highest test precision. Genotype x environment interactions were generally low both for half-sib and full-sib families, indicating that families can be operationally deployed to different sites with little concern about unpredictable performance.

Genetic parameter estimates and principal component analysis of breeding values of reproduction and growth traits in female Canchim cattle

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 775 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Buzanskas ◽  
R. P. Savegnago ◽  
D. A. Grossi ◽  
G. C. Venturini ◽  
S. A. Queiroz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Principal Component Analysis ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Heritability Estimates

Phenotypic data from female Canchim beef cattle were used to obtain estimates of genetic parameters for reproduction and growth traits using a linear animal mixed model. In addition, relationships among animal estimated breeding values (EBVs) for these traits were explored using principal component analysis. The traits studied in female Canchim cattle were age at first calving (AFC), age at second calving (ASC), calving interval (CI), and bodyweight at 420 days of age (BW420). The heritability estimates for AFC, ASC, CI and BW420 were 0.03 ± 0.01, 0.07 ± 0.01, 0.06 ± 0.02, and 0.24 ± 0.02, respectively. The genetic correlations for AFC with ASC, AFC with CI, AFC with BW420, ASC with CI, ASC with BW420, and CI with BW420 were 0.87 ± 0.07, 0.23 ± 0.02, –0.15 ± 0.01, 0.67 ± 0.13, –0.07 ± 0.13, and 0.02 ± 0.14, respectively. Standardised EBVs for AFC, ASC and CI exhibited a high association with the first principal component, whereas the standardised EBV for BW420 was closely associated with the second principal component. The heritability estimates for AFC, ASC and CI suggest that these traits would respond slowly to selection. However, selection response could be enhanced by constructing selection indices based on the principal components.

scholarly journals Genetic parameter estimates for resistance to Enteric Septicemia of Catfish on Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48
Author(s):  
Dung T. P. Tran
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Parameter ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus ◽  
Sib Families ◽  
Striped Catfish ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Enteric Septicemia

Genetic parameters were estimated for resistant traits against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC) on the first generation of selection on striped catfish. In total, 8,207 and 5,838 individuals from 147 and 130 full-sib families were challenged by Edwardsiella ictaluri causing ESC on fingerlings and tested growth in pond accordingly. Harvest body weight (HW), length (HL) and survival (SURGROW) from grow-out test and ESC resistant traits such as binary alive-dead survival (SUR) and time to dead (TIME) at different truncated points from challenged test of fingerlings were recorded. Heritability for each trait and genetic correlations among these recorded traits were estimated. High heritabilities were found for HW (0.48) and HL (0.47), and mostly from medium to high values were estimated for SURGROW (0.23), SUR (0.13 - 0.40) and TIME (0.25 - 0.39). Genetic correlations among different truncated SUR and TIME traits were almost highly positive (0.57 - 0.99). Genetic correlations among different truncated SUR and TIME traits with HW and SURGROW were low positive (0.10 - 0.40). In summary, selection for ESC resistance would not negatively affect the growth in fingerling stage.

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