Selection for fertility in Australian Merino sheep

1963 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 460 ◽  
Author(s):  
SSY Young ◽  
HN Turner ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Likelihood Method ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Fertility Trait ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Difference

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for fertility in sheep, in terms of number of lambs born and number weaned, have been estimated in a flock of medium Peppin Merinos. Repeatability of fertility traits over all ages is low, but there is an age effect, the record at 3 years of age having a higher value than those at 2 or 4 years. The regression of subsequent performance on a difference of 1 lamb at the initial lambing was higher for the difference between 1 and 2 lambs than between 0 and 1 lamb, which indicated that selection for twins is likely to raise fertility in the current flock more rapidly than selection against barrenness. The estimate of heritability for 2 years of age was negligible for each fertility trait, but the estimates for the 3-year-old record were higher, the value for lambs born being over 0.3. Mass selection for number of lambs born at 3 years of age would thus be expected to lead to appreciable genetic progress, while there would be at least some progress in number of lambs weaned. Phenotypic and genetic correlations were also estimated between fertility at different ages and 10 sheep and wool traits measured at 15–16 months of age. Phenotypically, fertility is positively correlated with body weight and negatively with skin wrinkle score. Genetically, it is suggested from the estimates that fertility is positively correlated with body weight and staple length and negatively correlated with fibre diameter, clean scoured yield, and wrinkle score. No phenotypic or genetic correlation was found between greasy or clean wool weight and either measure of fertility. The application of the findings to breeding for higher fertility is discussed. In an appendix, a maximum likelihood method of estimating heritability for all-or-none traits in half-sib data is presented.

Response to selection in Australian Merino sheep. III. Single character selection for high and low values of wool weight and its components

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 955 ◽  
Author(s):  
HN Turner ◽  
MG Brooker ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Skin Area ◽  
Correlated Responses ◽  
Fibre Number ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Staple Length

Direct and correlated responses are reported for 10 traits in eight pairs of lines under selection for high and low values of single characteristics : clean wool weight per head, clean wool weight per unit skin area (measured only in the groups under selection for it), body weight, wrinkle score, fibre number per unit skin area (adjusted for body weight), fibre diameter, staple length, and percentage clean yield. All groups showed overall divergence in the character under selection, though response was not always symmetrical, and in two cases (long staple and low fibre number) there was no continuing response after the initial response to extreme selection of the base parents. In all except one case, whenever previous estimates of genetic correlation were at the level of 0.2 or higher, correlated responses were in the predicted direction, though not always symmetrical in magnitude. The exception was a previously reported negative correlation between fibre number and staple length, which was not exhibited under selection for either character. Where two characters of a pair were under selection, reciprocal responses agreed in sign; magnitude will be examined in a later paper. Wool per unit area was shown to have a greater influence on clean wool weight than that of surface area, with staple length on this occasion being the most important component of wool per unit area. Reasons for an apparent decrease in the relative importance of fibre number are discussed. Three other points of importance in sheep breeding are again emphasized by these results : 1. Crimp in several pairs of groups was a poor indicator of fibre diameter. 2. Increases in clean wool weight were associated with falls in crimp number, even though fibre diameter actually became finer; diameter, not crimp, should therefore be used as a guide to wool quality. 3. The absence of genetic correlations DL and NL indicates that selection can be for high N (fibre number) with high L (staple length) and low D (fibre diameter) -in other words, a desirable fleece -with no impeding genetic correlations.

Response to selection in Australian Merino sheep. VIII.* Further results on selection for high clean wool weight with attention to quality

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 615 ◽  
Author(s):  
HN Turner ◽  
N Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Weight One ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Made In ◽  
Australian Merino

Results of selection for high clean wool weight per head with control of quality are reported for two selection groups over the period 1966–74. Results for the same experiment for the periods 1950–1959 and 1961–64 were reported earlier. Both groups were selected for high clean wool weight, one (S) with a ceiling on fibre diameter and degree of skin wrinkle, and the other (MS) with a lower limit on staple crimp frequency and a ceiling on skin wrinkle. Genetic progress in clean wool weight was greater in S than in MS over the 1966–74 period (0.12–0.15 lb/annum, compared with 0.06–0.09). This was to be expected from genetic correlations of clean wool weight with fibre diameter (low positive) and staple crimp frequency (high negative). The result supports the previous recommendation that staple crimp frequency is an inefficient way of controlling wool quality while attempting to improve quantity by selection, because its use severely restricts the likely progress in quantity. The actual rate of progress in the S group was similar to that in the period 1950–59, which was followed by a fall in superiority of the selected over the control group animals born during 1961–64. The recovery of response in the 1966–74 period negates the suggestion that the loss of response during the 1961-64 period was due to a 'plateau'. The most likely explanation is that a genotype x environment interaction occurred, such that the genetic gain made in the 1950-59 period could not be expressed in the poorer environments of 1960–65, but reappeared gradually under the improving environment of the 1966–74 period. Attempts to remove this interaction by regression of response on the mean clean wool weight of the unselected control group (as an index of the level of the environment) for each year, were not successful. The interaction is, therefore, not simply a case of all selection groups being equal when the environment is poor. ________________ *Part VII, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 26: 937 (1975).

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for body weight and greasy fleece weight at weaning in Australian Merino sheep

1965 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 997 ◽  
Author(s):  
SSY Young ◽  
GH Brown ◽  
Turner H Newton ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Indirect Selection ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Sampling Errors ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Australian Merino

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for body weight and greasy fleece weight at weaning were estimated in a flock of Australian Merinos. Maternal handicaps were found to be more severe at weaning than at the older age of 15–16 months. Lambs born to 2-year-old ewes were 2–3 lb lighter in body weight at weaning and 0.2 lb lighter in greasy fleece weight than the offspring of adult ewes. Twin lambs were on the average 6–7 lb lighter than singles and cut 0.5 lb less greasy wool. Greasy fleece weight at weaning was found to be fairly highly heritable but only moderately repeatable. The repeatability and heritability of weaning body weight were both low. The genetic correlations estimated here were associated with appreciable sampling errors, but the estimates strongly suggested high and positive correlations between measurements at weaning and at 15–16 months for both traits. A general consideration of the relative efficiency of direct versus indirect selection, based on the information obtained in this study, leads to the conclusion that for greater genetic gains, mass selection for greasy wool weight and body weight at weaning should be carried out on measurements at 15–16 months of age, rather than at weaning.

scholarly journals PSVIII-38 Late-Breaking Abstract: Estimating genetic parameters of feed efficiency traits in American mink

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 347-347
Author(s):  
Pourya Davoudi ◽  
Duy Ngoc Do ◽  
Guoyu Hu ◽  
Siavash Salek Ardestani ◽  
Younes Miar
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
American Mink ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Selection For

Abstract Feed cost is the major input cost in the mink industry and thus improvement of feed efficiency through selection for high feed efficient mink is necessary for the mink farmers. The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations for different feed efficiency measures, including final body weight (FBW), daily feed intake (DFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI). For this purpose, 1,088 American mink from the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research at Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture were recorded for daily feed intake and body weight from August 1 to November 14 in 2018 and 2019. The univariate models were used to test the significance of sex, birth year and color as fixed effects, and dam as a random effect. Genetic parameters were estimated via bivariate models using ASReml-R version 4. Estimates of heritabilities (±SE) were 0.41±0.10, 0.37±0.11, 0.33±0.14, 0.24±0.09 and 0.22±0.09 for FBW, DFI, ADG, FCR and RFI, respectively. The genetic correlation (±SE) was moderate to high between FCR and RFI (0.68±0.15) and between FCR and ADG (-0.86±0.06). In addition, RFI had low non-significant (P > 0.05) genetic correlations with ADG (0.04 ± 0.26) and BW (0.16 ± 0.24) but significant (P < 0.05) high genetic correlation with DFI (0.74 ± 0.11) indicating that selection for lower RFI will reduce feed intake without adverse effects on the animal size and growth rate. The results suggested that RFI can be implemented in genetic/genomic selection programs to reduce feed intake in the mink production system.

RESPONSE TO SELECTION FOR BODY WEIGHT OR FEED EFFICIENCY IN MICE TESTED ON CORN, RYE AND WHEAT DIETS

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-397
Author(s):  
R. I. McKAY ◽  
R. J. PARKER ◽  
W. GUENTER
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Response To Selection ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Commercial Diet ◽  
Final Weight ◽  
Dc Line ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Seven Generations

Mass selection for adjusted feed efficiency (AFE, g gain/g feed) and adjusted body weight (ABW, g) of male mice was practiced for seven generations on each of three diets: corn, rye and wheat. The three experimental diets, fed between 21 and 35 d, were isocaloric (approximately 16.5 MJ GE kg−1) and isonitrogenous (CP approximately 13%). A common commerical diet (PC) was fed at all other times. With each diet two control lines, randomly mated, were tested on either the experimental diets (DC) or a commercial diet (PC). Selection was based upon linear adjustment to a common initial weight (10 g) for either final weight (ABW) or feed efficiency (AFE) measured between 21 and 35 d of age. Response was determined as a deviation from the appropriate DC line. All animals were placed in specially designed individual cages during the test period. Half-sib estimates of heritability in the PC line were 0.13(± 0.11) for ABW and 0.19(± 0.10) for AFE. Half-sib estimates pooled across lines and diets were 0.16(± 0.07) for ABW and 0.28(± 0.07) for AFE. Realized heritabilities for ABW were 0.24(± 0.06), 0.06(± 0.07) and 0.14(± 0.06) for the corn, rye and wheat diets, respectively. Response to selection for AFE was poor with the highest heritability obtained on the wheat diet (h2 = 0.13 ± 0.02). Key words: Selection, mice, body weight, feed efficiency, diets

Vital statistics for an experimental flock of Merino sheep. III. Factors affecting wool and body characteristics, including the effect of age of ewe and its possible interaction with method of selection

1966 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
GH Brown ◽  
HN Turner ◽  
SSY Young ◽  
CHS Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Fibre Volume ◽  
Age Changes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Fibre Number ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Staple Length

Estimates were made of the effects of the following factors on 10 fleece and body characteristics measured on breeding ewes aged 1½ to 10½ years in three mating groups over a period of 15 years: age of ewe, single or twin birth, age of dam, the ewe's own lambing performance, the year in which measurements were made, and the year in which each set of ewes was born. Two groups (S and MS) were under selection for high clean wool weight at 15–16 months, with a ceiling on wrinkle score and fibre diameter, while the third (C) was a random control. Changes with age were present in all characteristics and were similar in the three groups. The finding that selection on wool weight at an early age had no effect on subsequent age changes in any characteristic is of considerable importance. Greasy and clean wool weight reached a maximum at 34 years, then declined by 0.3–0.2 1b per year. Percentage clean yield, fibre diameter, body weight, and wrinkle score had maxima at 5½ to 6½ years. Staple length fell consistently by approximately 0.2 cm per year, while face cover rose consistently but slightly. Crimp number rose, fell, and rose again, while fibre number rose, fell, and remained constant from 4½ years. The chief source of increase in wool weight from l½ to 3½ years was an increase in the total number of fibres. The chief source of the subsequent fall was a decrease in fibre volume, with a minor contribution from a fall in total fibre number after 6½ years. Twin-born ewes cut 0.21 lb (4.2% of the mean) less clean wool per year over their lifetime than single-born ewes, while the progeny of 2-year-old ewes cut 0.32 lb (6.4%) less than the progeny of adults. The main source of lower weight in each case was a lower total fibre number. Pregnancy lowered clean wool weight more than lactation, the separate effects being 0.87 and 0.38 lb respectively (17.4 and 7.7% of the mean) and the combined effect 1.25 1b or 25.1%. Pregnancy lowered total fibre number but lactation had no further effect. Mean clean wool weights over all ages in the C group varied from year to year, the range being from 1.08 lb (21.6%)below the mean to 0.97 lb (19.4%) above. Differences in total fibre number contributed between one-third and two-thirds of the variation. Ewes born in consecutive years in the S and MS groups showed marked upward trends in clean wool weight, fibre number, and staple length, with a marked downward trend in crimp number and a slight upward trend in body weight. These trends demonstrate direct and correlated responses to the strong selection for high clean wool weight at 15–16 months of age, and the associated slight selection against fibre diameter and wrinkle score. The mean annual increases in clean wool weight were 0.15 and 0.11 Ib (3.0 and 2.2%) in the S and MS groups, approximately 40% of the increase arising from increased total fibre number and 40% from increased staple length. The effects of age and lambing performance can be used to predict productivity in flocks of differing age structures. As the casting age rises to 54 years changes in productivity are negligible. With a rise in casting age to 7½ years the average clean wool weight of the flock would fall by 0.14 lb, with a slight decrease in staple length and crimp number. These changes need to be balanced against any increased lambing percentage or decreased annual genetic gain due to increased generation interval. Comparison with other available figures indicates that age changes may vary from one area to another.

Mass selection for 70-day body weight in rabbits.

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
S D Lukefahr ◽  
H B Odi ◽  
J K Atakora
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Selection For

scholarly journals Genetic parameters for milk yield and lactation persistency in the three first parities of Iranian Holstein cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzane Shokri-Sangari ◽  
Hadi Atashi ◽  
Mohammad Dadpasand ◽  
Fateme Saghanejad
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Lactation Curve ◽  
Breeding Center ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Feed Costs ◽  
Cow Health

Background: Lactation persistency influences cow health and reproduction and has an impact on the feed costs of dairy farms. Objective: To estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters of 100- and 305-d milk yield, and lactation persistency in Holstein cows in Iran. Methods: Records collected from January 2000 to December 2012 by the Animal Breeding Center of Iran (Karaj, Iran) were used. The following four measures of lactation persistency were used: P21: Ratio of milk yield in the second 100-d in milk (DIM) divided by that of the first 100-d. P31: Ratios of milk yield in the third100-d divided by that of the first 100-d. PW: The persistency measure derived from the incomplete gamma function. PJ: The difference between milk yield in day 60th and 280th of lactation. Results: The estimated heritability of lactation persistency for the three first parities (first, second, and third lactation) ranged from 0.01 to 0.06, 0.02 to 0.10, and 0.01 to 0.12, respectively. Genetic correlations among lactation persistency measures for the three first parities ranged from 0.77 to 0.98, 0.65 to 0.98, and 0.58 to 0.98, respectively; while corresponding values for genetic correlations among lactation persistency with 305-d milk production ranged from 0.18 to 0.63, 0.32 to 0.75, and 0.41 to 0.71, respectively. The estimated repeatability for lactation persistency measures ranged from 0.06 to 0.20. Conclusion: The moderate positive genetic correlation between lactation persistency and 305-d milk yield indicates that selection for increasing milk yield can slightly improve lactation persistency.Key words: dairy cattle, heritability, lactation curve, milk yield, persistency, repeatability. ResumenAntecedentes: La persistencia de la lactancia tiene una gran influencia en la salud, la reproducción y los costos de alimentación de las granjas lecheras. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de (co)varianza y los parámetros genéticos de la producción de leche a 100 y 305 d, asi como la persistencia de la lactancia en vacas Holstein en Irán. Métodos: Se utilizaron registros recopilados entre enero de 2000 y diciembre de 2012 por el Centro de cría de animales de Irán (Karaj, Irán). Se utilizaron las siguientes cuatro medidas de persistencia de la lactancia: P21: Proporción de producción de leche en los segundos 100-d en leche (DIM) dividida por la de los primeros 100-d. P31: Proporcion de producción de leche en los terceros 100-d dividido por el de los primeros 100-d. PW: medida de persistencia derivada de la función gamma incompleta. PJ: diferencia entre el rendimiento de leche en el 60 y el 280 día de lactancia. Resultados: La heredabilidad estimada de la persistencia de la lactancia para los tres primeros partos (primera, segunda y tercera lactancia) varió de 0,01 a 0,06; 0,02 a 0,10; y 0,01 a 0,12, respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas entre las medidas de persistencia de lactancia para los tres primeros partos variaron de 0,77 a 0,98; 0,65 a 0,98; y 0,58 a 0,98, respectivamente; mientras que los valores correspondientes para las correlaciones genéticas entre la persistencia de la lactancia con la producción de leche a 305 d variaron de 0,18 a 0,63; 0,32 a 0,75; y 0,41 a 0,71, respectivamente. La repetibilidad estimada para las medidas de persistencia de la lactancia varió de 0,06 a 0,20. Conclusión: La correlación genética positiva moderada entre la persistencia de la lactancia y la producción de leche a 305-d indica que la selección para aumentar la producción de leche puede mejorar ligeramente la persistencia de la lactancia.Palabras clave: curva de lactancia, ganado lechero, heredabilidad, persistencia, producción de leche, repetibilidad. ResumoAntecedentes: A persistência da lactação tem grande influência nos custos de saúde, reprodução e alimentação em fazendas leiteiras. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes da variância (co)variância e os parâmetros genéticos da produção de leite de 100 e 305 d e a persistência da lactação em vacas Holandesas no Irã. Métodos: Os dados utilizados foram registros coletados de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2012 pelo Centro de Criação de Animais do Irã (Karaj, Irã). As seguintes quatro medidas de persistência de lactação foram utilizadas: P21: Razão da produção de leite no segundo 100-d em leite (DIM) dividido pelo primeiro 100-d. P31: Razões da produção de leite na terceira 100d dividida pela da primeira 100-d. PW: A medida de persistência derivada da função gama incompleta. PJ: A diferença entre a produção de leite no 60º e 280º dia de lactação. Resultados: A hereditariedade estimada da persistência da lactação para as três primeiras paridades (primeira, segunda e terceira lactação) variou de 0,01 a 0,06; 0,02 a 0,10; e 0,01 a 0,12, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas entre as medidas de persistência da lactação para as três primeiras paridades variaram de 0,77 a 0,98; 0,65 a 0,98; e 0,58 a 0,98, respectivamente; enquanto os valores correspondentes para correlações genéticas entre a persistência da lactação com produção de leite de 305d variaram de 0,18 a 0,63; 0,32 a 0,75; e 0,41 a 0,71, respectivamente. A repetibilidade estimada para medidas de persistência de lactação variou de 0,06 a 0,20. Conclusão: A correlação genética positiva moderada entre a persistência da lactação e a produção de leite de 305d indicou que a seleção para aumentar a produção de leite melhoraria ligeiramente a persistência da lactação.Palavras-chave: curva de lactação, gado de leite, hereditariedade, persistência, produção de leite, repetibilidade.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF SELECTION ON HERITABILITY AND GENETIC CORRELATION OF TWO QUANTITATIVE TRAITS IN MICE

1974 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. Cheung ◽  
R. J. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Quantitative Traits ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mass Selection ◽  
Initial Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Selection For

The effects of different intensities of single trait directional selection on the heritability and genetic correlation of two quantitative traits in random mating populations of mice were observed during 14 generations. The initial population was divided at random into five groups (A, B, C, D and E). Group A and Group B were under 30% and 60% mass selection for large 6-week body weight, respectively. Group C and Group D were under 30% and 60% mass selection for long 6-week tail length, respectively. Group E acted as control group with no selection applied. In all groups, the parent population consisted of 15 males and 30 females each generation, mated at random.Direct selection had no apparent effect on the heritability of either the trait under selection or the correlated trait over the 14 generations. Heritability of 6-wk tail length was higher than the heritability of 6-wk body weight. Estimates of heritability of 6-wk tail length ranged from 0.15 ± 0.22 to 0.68 ± 0.24, while estimates of heritability of 6-wk body weight ranged from 0.05 ± 0.17 to 0.33 ± 0.09. There was no significant difference among the estimates of genetic correlation between the two traits in the five selection groups. Estimates of realized genetic correlation between 6-wk body weight and 6-wk tail length seemed to indicate that more intense selection led to some decrease in genetic correlation between the two traits.

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.

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