Factor Analysis of Linear Type Traits and Their Relation with Longevity in Brazilian Holstein Cattle

Kern, Elisandra Lurdes; Cobuci, Jaime Araújo; Costa, C. N.; Pimentel, Concepta Margaret McManus

doi:10.5713/ajas.2013.13817

Cited by 26 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Thus, the linear classification of type traits becomes an important tool in the decision making process in the herds, as it aims to select animals that express phenotypic traits which will give greater productive life in the herd ( Pérez-Cabal and Alenda, 2002 ; Posadas et al, 2008 ) through their improved productive and reproductive potential. Kern et al (2014) studied the relationship between linear type traits and longevity of cows through factor analysis and reported that selection based on the final score together with the traits related to mammary system (cows with deep, wide, soft, elastic udder, with strong central ligament, cows with good bone quality) would result in more functional cows and consequently with higher MY and productive life in the herd.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Parameters for Linear Type Traits and Milk, Fat, and Protein Production in Holstein Cows in Brazil

Campos

Cobuci

Kern

et al. 2015

Asian Australas. J. Anim. Sci

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The objective of this study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for linear type traits, as well as milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY) and protein yield (PY) in 18,831 Holstein cows reared in 495 herds in Brazil. Restricted maximum likelihood with a bivariate model was used for estimation genetic parameters, including fixed effects of herd-year of classification, period of classification, classifier and stage of lactation for linear type traits and herd-year of calving, season of calving and lactation order effects for production traits. The age of cow at calving was fitted as a covariate (with linear and quadratic terms), common to both models. Heritability estimates varied from 0.09 to 0.38 for linear type traits and from 0.17 to 0.24 for production traits, indicating sufficient genetic variability to achieve genetic gain through selection. In general, estimates of genetic correlations between type and production traits were low, except for udder texture and angularity that showed positive genetic correlations (>0.29) with MY, FY, and PY. Udder depth had the highest negative genetic correlation (−0.30) with production traits. Selection for final score, commonly used by farmers as a practical selection tool to improve type traits, does not lead to significant improvements in production traits, thus the use of selection indices that consider both sets of traits (production and type) seems to be the most adequate to carry out genetic selection of animals in the Brazilian herd.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Parameters for Linear Type Traits and Milk, Fat, and Protein Production in Holstein Cows in Brazil

Campos

Cobuci

Kern

et al. 2015

Asian Australas. J. Anim. Sci

Self Cite

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“…Based on the observed covariance structure, the objective of FA is to replace n measured variables with p (p < n) F, where the measured variables are expressed as linear functions of the F, and the F capture the underlying latent concept that the original variables represent (Bollen, 2014). In dairy cattle, the potential use of F obtained from FA has been investigated for a variety of traits, including milk quality, milk technological properties [e.g., MCP and CY-related phenotypes (Macciotta et al, 2012)], type traits (Kern et al, 2014), as well as milk fatty acids (Conte et al, 2016;Mele et al, 2016). However, previous studies were focused on the sources of variation related to the F and their genetic parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genome-wide association and pathway-based analysis using latent variables related to milk protein composition and cheesemaking traits in dairy cattle

Dadousis

Pegolo

Rosa

et al. 2017

Journal of Dairy Science

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The aim of this study was to perform genome-wide associations (GWAS) and gene-set enrichment analyses with protein composition and cheesemaking-related latent variables (factors; F) in a cohort of 1,011 Italian Brown Swiss cows. Factor analysis was applied to identify latent structures of 26 phenotypes related to bovine milk quantity and quality, protein fractions [α-, α-, β-, and κ-casein (CN), β-lactoglobulin, and α-lactalbumin (α-LA)], coagulation and curd firming at time t (CF) measures, and cheese properties [cheese yield (%CY) and nutrients recovery in the curd] of individual cows. Ten orthogonal F were extracted, explaining 74% of the original variability. Factor 1 underlined the %CY characteristics, F2 was related to the CF process parameters, F3 was considered as descriptor of milk and solids yield, whereas F4 underscored the presence of nitrogenous compounds (N) into the cheese. Four more F were related to the milk caseins (F5, F7, F8, and F9) and 1 F was linked to the whey protein (F10); 1 F underlined the udder health status (F6). All cows were genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 Bead Chip v.2 (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). Single marker regression GWAS were fitted. Gene-set enrichment analysis was run on GWAS results, using the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway databases, to reveal ontologies or pathways associated with the F. All F but F3 showed significance in GWAS. Signals in 10 Bos taurus autosomes (BTA) were detected. High peaks on BTA6 (∼87 Mbp) were found for F6, F5, and at the tail of BTA11 (∼104 Mbp) for F4. Gene-set enrichment analyses showed significant results (false discovery rate at 5%) for F8, F1, F4, and F10. For F8, 33 Gene Ontology terms and 3 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes categories were enriched, including terms related to ion transport and homeostasis, neuron function or part, and GnRH signaling pathway. Our results support the feasibility of factor analysis as a dimension reduction technique in genomic studies and evidenced a potential key role of α-CN in milk quality and composition.

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“…This region’s climate has a high potential for forage production. Still, high temperatures, humidity, and intense solar radiation affect the farmer’s ability to maintain balanced milk production throughout the year [ 1 ], as the climate affects the productivity and longevity of dairy cows [ 2 , 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shade Modifies Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Low to Medium Production Dairy Cows at Pasture in an Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest System

Reis

Ferreira

Mazocco

et al. 2021

Animals

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Under conditions of high temperature, humidity, and incidence of solar radiation, dairy cows use behavioral changes as a strategy to decrease the metabolic heat production at pasture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavioral and physiological responses of Gyr and Girolando (5/8 Holstein 3/8 Gyr, and ½ Holstein ½ Gyr) dairy cows submitted to environments with and without shade. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Cerrados (Technology Center for Dairy Zebu breeds—CTZL), Brasilia, Distrito Federal—Brazil, with 48 Gyr and Girolando cows total in the lactation group, with low to medium milk production, in full sun or shade with Eucalyptus urograndis (267 plants/ha−1). The physiological and behavioral characteristics evaluated were panting score, superficial temperature, and time spent grazing, ruminating, and lying down. Other traits included skin and coat thickness, hair diameter, density and length, and predominant coat color. In addition, body measurements, such as body length, the height of withers, chest circumference, and shin circumference, were measured. Shaded cows had 34% longer rumination times than cows in full sun (p = 0.01). With a temperature-humidity index ranging from 79 to 83, the rumination time was 1.7 times higher in cows under shade (p = 0.01) during a 24-h period of observation. There were no significant differences in the grazing time between the environments, but lying time was 23% longer in cows under the sun (p = 0.01). The panting score was not influenced by the environment (p = 0.17). Girolando cows had a 35% higher panting score than Gyr cows (p = 0.01) regardless of the environment. The panting score increased two and a half times during the afternoon compared with the morning (p = 0.01). The surface and rectal core temperatures had significant differences between treatments and time of the day. Body measurements were not different between cows in both environments, but there was a difference between breeds. The use of trees in pastures with a silvopastoral system for dairy zebu cows is indicated to improve grazing behavior, as well as time spent ruminating and lying down.

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Factor Analysis of Linear Type Traits and Their Relation with Longevity in Brazilian Holstein Cattle

Cited by 26 publications

References 23 publications

Genetic Parameters for Linear Type Traits and Milk, Fat, and Protein Production in Holstein Cows in Brazil

Genetic Parameters for Linear Type Traits and Milk, Fat, and Protein Production in Holstein Cows in Brazil

Genome-wide association and pathway-based analysis using latent variables related to milk protein composition and cheesemaking traits in dairy cattle

Shade Modifies Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Low to Medium Production Dairy Cows at Pasture in an Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest System

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