E-ISSN 2223-0343

Heritability, genetic correlation and breeding value for some productive and reproductive traits in Holstein cows

El-Bayoumi KM1, El-Tarabany MS1, Abdel-Hamid TM1* and Mikaeil OM2

1Animal Wealth Development Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia, Egypt; 2Omar El-Mokhtar University, El-Byda, Libya

 
Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters (heritability, genetic correlation) and breeding value for some productive and reproductive traits. Such traits include calving interval (CI), days open (DO), days in milk (DIM), dry period (DP), total milk yield (TMY) and 305-day milk yield (305-DMY). Accurate 3464 records of Holstein (HO) cows were utilized. Animal model was used to estimate heritability and breeding value. Strong negative genetic correlation was estimated for both CI and DP with TMY and 305-DMY ranged from (-0.65 to -0.99). High positive genetic associations were recorded for both CI with DO, DP and DO with DP. Weak heritability was estimated for CI, DO, DP and DIM ranged from 0.002-0.12 while for TMY and 305-DMY, the estimates were medium being 0.34±0.02 and 0.32±0.02 respectively. The range of breeding value for cows and sires were high for most of studied traits. The range of breeding value of cows for TMY and 305-DMY was 4213 and 688.80 kg respectively which was higher than those for sires (3485 and 623 kg respectively) and dams (2281 and 417.80 kg respectively). In conclusion, improvement of reproductive traits (CI, DO) through selection is difficult, but required improvement of managerial and environmental conditions. Higher ranges of breeding values for cows and sires for most of studied traits indicate higher genetic variation and higher opportunity for selection of top cows and sires in breeding value, which would result in rapid genetic progress in the future generations.

Keywords: Heritability; genetic correlation; breeding value; days open; Holstein
 
To cite this article: El-Bayoumi KM, MS El-Tarabany, TM Abdel-Hamid and OM Mikaeil, 2015. Heritability, genetic correlation and breeding value for some productive and reproductive traits in Holstein cows. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 5(2): 65-70.
 
 
 
 

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