Direct and maternal genetic effects for preweaning growth in Retinta cattle estimated by a longitudinal approach throughout the calving trajectory of the cow

Abstract

The direct and maternal genetic effects were estimated for the preweaning growth of Retinta calves with a multitrait model across parities, using a longitudinal approach with random regression models (RRM). The 120 (P120) and 180 days (P180) weights (5972 calves) were considered as different traits in each calving. The heritability of direct effect across parities was on average 0.37 for P120 and 0.58 for P180, slightly higher than the estimates by univariate (0.30 and 0.56) and bivariate models (0.30 and 0.51, respectively). The heritability for maternal effects was 0.16 for P120 and 0.26 for P180 and very similar by uni- (0.16 and 0.23) and multivariate model (0.16 and 0.22, respectively). The correlation between direct and maternal effects by RRM showed a pronounced antagonism -0.64 for P120 and -0.78 for P180), likewise uni- (-0.62 and -0.72) and multivariate case (-0.64 and -0.74, respectively). The preweaning weights should be considered as different traits across parities, because the genetic correlations were different from unity. The RRM also allowed us to estimate all the parameters throughout the calving trajectory of the cow. The use of multiple traits RRM across parities can provide very useful information for the breeding programmes.

The milk yield of dams and its relation to direct and maternal genetic components of weaning weight in beef cattle

“…The estimates of heritability for W90 and W150 were low compared with Morales et al (2013), who reported values of 0.37 and 0.58 for heritability of W120 and W180, respectively, in the Retinta breed.…”

“…Maternal heritability estimate was lower for W150 than for W90. These estimates were lower than results from Morales et al (2013) and confirms that the dependence of calf growth on maternal effects, especially dam milk, decreases as animal age increases.…”

Runs of homozygosity in a selected cattle population with extremely inbred bulls: Descriptive and functional analyses revealed highly variable patterns

“…Retinta is the second largest Spanish cattle breed characterized by the quality of its meat, its rusticity and its adaptation to marginal pasturelands and extreme weather [ 39 ]. All the individuals of this breed have been raised in the south part of the Spanish peninsula under dry and hot environmental conditions with scarce foraging resources.…”

Genetic effects of season on the preweaning growth of beef cattle: A first approach to Retinta calves

“…this breed were recently presented by Morales et al (2013). Heritability at j age and genetic correlations between any pair of ages in both stress zones were determined by classical methodologies.…”

“…Retinta is an autochthonous breed widely used in the south of Spain due to its excellent adaptation to the extreme environment that prevails in that region (Morales et al, 2013). These individuals are raised in an extensive regime characterized by pasturelands with limited production, steep hills and a dry and hot climate (Rodero-Serrano et al, 2013).…”