Estimates of (co)variance components and genetic parameters were obtained for birth, 205-d, and 365-d weight for Nelore cattle in Brazil, using single and multiple-trait animal models. Data were from the Brazilian Zebu Breeders Association (ABCZ). Records of 27,549 calves sired by 587 bulls and raised on pasture in 57 herds were analyzed by restricted maximum likelihood fitting an animal model including direct and maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects. Single and multiple-trait analyses were carried out. Heritability estimates for direct effects were lower than previous values reported for the Nelore breed. The estimates for maternal genetic effects showed that the contribution of this component to the phenotypic variance of birth and weaning weight is not very high but is still present at yearling weight. Correlations between direct and maternal additive genetic effects were negative for all traits analyzed except for yearling weight in the single-trait analysis where the sign was positive but the magnitude was small (+.09). Genetic correlations between weaning and yearling weights were .74 (direct effect) and .84 (maternal effect). Permanent environmental and residual correlations among traits were also obtained.

RESUMO -Informações de 7986 nascimentos de animais da raça Nelore, ocorridos entre 1960 e 1993, provenientes de um rebanho do Estado de São Paulo, foram usadas para estudar componentes de (co)variâncias, herdabilidades e correlações genéticas de peso ao desmame (P240), peso a um ano de idade (P365), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), primeiro intervalo de partos (IEP1), eficiência reprodutiva (ER), anos de permanência da matriz no rebanho (LONG) e peso ao desmame do primeiro bezerro da matriz (P240B). As análises foram realizadas utilizando-se o software MTDFREML, estimando-se os componentes de (co)variâncias por máxima verossimilhança restrita, assumindo modelo animal. As estimativas de herdabilidade apresentaram resultados similares entre as diferentes análises, sendo mais altas (0,26 a 0,35) para P240, P365 e IPP e mais baixas (0,08 a 0,26) para IEP1, ER, LONG e P240B. De modo geral, as estimativas de correlação genética e fenotípica entre crescimento e reprodução foram baixas e entre as características de reprodução, mais altas e de sentido favorável. Algumas correlações entre o efeito genético materno das características de crescimento e o direto das características de reprodução foram de média magnitude e de sentido desfavorável, sugerindo antagonismo genético entre produção de leite e reprodução.Palavras-chave: crescimento, fêmeas zebuínas, parâmetros genéticos, raça Nelore, reprodução Estimates of (Co)Variances among Reproductive and Growth Traits in FemaleNellore Cattle ABSTRACT -Informations of 7986 births of animals from a Nellore cattle herd, from 1960 to 1993, were used to estimate (co) variance components, heritabilities and genetic correlations of weaning weight (W240), yearling weight (W365), age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (CI1), reproductive efficiency (RE), longevity (LONG), calculated as years of permanence of cow in herd and weaning weight of the first calf of cow (W240C). The analysis were performed using the MTDFREML software, estimating the (co) variance components by restricted maximum likelihood, assuming an animal model. Estimates of heritability showed similar results among the different analyses, being higher (0.26 to 0.35) for W240, W365 and AFC and lower (0.08 to 0.26) for CI1, RE, LONG and W240C. In general, the estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations among growth and reproductive traits were low and among the reproductive traits were high and favorable. Some correlations between maternal genetic effect of the growth and the direct genetic effect of the reproductive traits were of average magnitude and unfavorable, suggesting genetic antagonism between milk production and reproduction. IntroduçãoAs características de reprodução são de suma importância em qualquer exploração pecuária, porém são difíceis de serem mensuradas e interpretadas, já que são influenciadas por interações entre bezerro, touro e vaca. Além disso, apresentam baixos coeficientes de herdabilidade. Estudos indicam que esses coeficientes são muito baixos em condições temperadas e pouco mai...

RESUMO -Visando estimar parâmetros genéticos em bovinos, foram utilizados registros de pesos padronizados aos 120, 210, 365, 450 e 550 dias de idade (P120, P210, P365, P450 e P550), altura do posterior mensurada próxima ao sobreano (ALT) e circunferências escrotais (CE) padronizadas aos 365, 450 e 550 dias de idade (CE365, CE450 e CE550). Os dados foram provenientes de animais machos e fêmeas, nascidos entre 1998 e 2003 em dez fazendas de seis estados brasileiros. Os componentes de (co)variância foram estimados pela metodologia REML em análises uni, bi e trivariadas, utilizando-se 68, 0.64, 0.53, 0.58 and 0.59. Genetic correlations between W120 and SC adjusted for weight and age were close to zero, but positive and moderate when SC was adjusted only for age. Estimates of genetic correlation between HH and SC adjusted for weight and age were -0.19 (SC365), -0.24 (SC450) and 0.00 (SC550). The same parameter estimates when SC was adjusted only for age were 0.21 (SC365), 0.12 (SC450) and 0.39 (SC550). These results indicate genetic variability for growth traits and SC. Selection for weight at any age will increase stature. In order to obtain Nelore cattle with stature and weight suitable to the production system, both traits should be included in a selection index.

-Data from 23,120 Nellore animals were used to estimate genetic parameters for age at first calving, average gains from weaning to yearling and from yearling to after yearling, weaning weight, yearling weight, after yearling weight and weight at 2 and 5 years of age. Animal models were fitted by Restricted Maximum likelihood Method. Estimate heritability for age at first calving, weaning to yearling weight gain, yearling to after yearling weight gain, weight at weaning, yearling weight, after yearling weight and weight from 2 to 5 years of age were 0.17 ± 0.01; 0.23 ± 0.03; 0.25 ± 0.03; 0.28 ± 0.02; 0.26 ± 0.03; 0.30 ± 0.03; 0.32 ± 0.02 and 0.36 ± 0.04, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates between age at first calving and weight traits ranged from -0.26 to -0.14. The genetic correlation estimates between age at first calving and average gains were also negative, but higher (-0.29 and -0.32). In general, these results indicate that selection for average gains will promote changes in age at first calving and female mature weight. Improvement in reproductive performance could be obtained with the inclusion of the age at first calving in the selection index.Key Words: beef cattle, genetic parameters, heritability, productive and reproductive traits Estudo das relações entre a idade ao primeiro parto, ganhos em peso e pesos da desmama à maturidade em bovinos da raça Nelore RESUMO -Dados de 23.120 animais da raça Nelore foram utilizados para estimar herdabilidade e correlações genéticas para a idade ao primeiro parto, o ganho em peso da desmama ao ano e do ano ao sobreano, o peso à desmama, o peso ao ano, o peso ao sobreano e os pesos aos 2 e aos 5 anos de idade. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, em análise multicaracterística. As herdabilidades estimadas para idade ao primeiro parto, ganho da desmama ao ano, ganho do ano ao sobreano, peso à desmama, peso ao ano, peso ao sobreano e peso aos 2 aos 5 anos foram de 0,17 ± 0,01; 0,23 ± 0,03; 0,25 ± 0,03; 0,28 ± 0,02; 0,26 ± 0,03; 0,30 ± 0,03; 0,32 ± 0,02 e 0,36 ± 0,04, respectivamente. Correlações genéticas baixas e negativas foram estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os pesos medidos em diferentes idades, que variaram de -0,26 a -0,14. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os ganhos de peso também foram negativas, porém levemente superiores (-0,29 e -0,32). Os resultados indicam que a seleção para maior ganho de peso pode reduzir a idade ao primeiro parto e aumentar o peso adulto de fêmeas da raça Nelore. Mudança genética mais rápida para diminuição da idade ao primeiro parto das fêmeas pode ser obtida com a inclusão dessa característica nos índices de seleção.Palavras-chave: bovinos de corte, características produtivas e reprodutivas, herdabilidade, parâmetros genéticos Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genetic correlations among real-time ultrasound carcass, BW, and scrotal circumference (SC) traits in Nelore cattle. Carcass traits, measured by real-time ultrasound of the live animal, were recorded from 2002 to 2004 on 10 farms across 6 Brazilian states on 2,590 males and females ranging in age from 450 to 599 d. Ultrasound records of LM area (LMA) and backfat thickness (BF) were obtained from cross-sectional images between the 12th and 13th ribs, and rump fat thickness (RF) was measured between the hook and pin bones over the junction between gluteus medius and biceps femoris muscles. Also, BW (n = 22,778) and SC (n = 5,695) were recorded on animals born between 1998 and 2003. The BW traits were 120, 210, 365, 450, and 550-d standardized BW (W120, W210, W365, W450, and W550), plus BW (WS) and hip height (HH) on the ultrasound scanning date. The SC traits were 365-, 450-, and 550-d standardized SC (SC365, SC450, and SC550). For the BW and SC traits, the database used was from the Nelore Breeding Program-Nelore Brazil. The genetic parameters were estimated with multivariate animal models and REML. Estimated genetic correlations between LMA and other traits were 0.06 (BF), -0.04 (RF), 0.05 (HH), 0.58 (WS), 0.53 (W120), 0.62 (W210), 0.67 (W365), 0.64 (W450 and W550), 0.28 (SC365), 0.24 (SC450), and 0.00 (SC550). Estimated genetic correlations between BF and with other traits were 0.74 (RF), -0.32 (HH), 0.19 (WS), -0.03 (W120), -0.10 (W210), 0.04 (W365), 0.01 (W450), 0.06 (W550), 0.17 (SC365 and SC450), and -0.19 (SC550). Estimated genetic correlations between RF and other traits were -0.41 (HH), -0.09 (WS), -0.13 (W120), -0.09 (W210), -0.01 (W365), 0.02 (W450), 0.03 (W550), 0.05 (SC365), 0.11 (SC450), and -0.18 (SC550). These estimates indicate that selection for carcass traits measured by real-time ultrasound should not cause antagonism in the genetic improvement of SC and BW traits. Also, selection to increase HH might decrease subcutaneous fat as correlated response. Therefore, to obtain animals suited to specific tropical production systems, carcass, BW, and SC traits should be considered in selection programs.