Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for accumulated productivity (ACP), first calving interval (CI1), second calving interval (CI2), and mean calving interval (MCI) in Nelore beef cattle. The ACP trait is a reproduction index and comprises the total number of calves born per dam, weight of weaned calves, and age of the dam at calving. Genetic parameters were estimated by the average information restricted maximum likelihood method in two-trait analyses. The average heritability estimate for ACP was 0.17 (0.03). For CI1, CI2, and MCI, the heritability estimates were 0.02, 0.02, and 0.06, respectively. Genetic correlations between ACP with CI1, CI2, and MCI were −0.16 ± 0.47, −0.29 ± 0.53, and −0.40 ± 0.27, respectively. Despite of the low heritability estimates obtained in our study, reproduction traits should be further studied and their inclusion in the selection criteria must be evaluated in order to improve the performance of females because these traits are of great economic importance in beef cattle. Accumulated productivity could contribute to decrease the mean calving interval in Nelore cattle.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bertazzo R.P., Tadeu R., Freitas F. De, Gonçalves T.D.M. 2004. Parâmetros Genéticos de Longevidade e Produtividade de Fêmeas da Raça Nelore. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 33, 1118–1127
Buzanskas M.E., Savegnago R.P., Grossi D.A., Venturini G.C., Queiroz S.A., Silva L.O.C., Torres Júnior R.A.A., Munari D.P., Alencar M.M. 2013. Genetic parameter estimates and principal component analysis of breeding values of reproduction and growth traits in female Canchim cattle. Reproduction, Fertility, and Development, 25, 775–781
Chud T.C.S., Caetano S.L., Buzanskas M.E., Grossi D.A., Guidolin D.G.F., Nascimento G.B., Rosa J.O., Lôbo R.B., Munari D.P. 2014. Genetic analysis for gestation length, birth weight, weaning weight, and accumulated productivity in Nellore beef cattle. Livestock Science, 170, 16–21
Eler J.P., Bignardi A.B., Ferraz J.B.S., Santana J.L. 2014. Genetic relationships among traits related to reproduction and growth of Nelore females. Theriogenology, 82, 708–714
Frazier E.L., Sprott L.R., Sanders J.O., Dahm P.F., Crouch J.R., Turner J.W. 1999. Sire Marbling score expected progeny difference and weaning weight maternal expected progeny difference association with age at first calving and calving interval in Angus beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 77, 1322–1328
Grossi D.A., Frizzas O.G., Paz C.C.P., Bezerra L.A.F., Lôbo R.B., Oliveira J.A., Munari D.P. 2008. Genetic associations between accumulated productivity, and reproductive and growth traits in Nelore cattle. Livestock Science, 117, 139–146
MacGregor R.G., Casey N.H. 1999. Evaluation of calving interval and calving date as measures of reproductive performance in a beef herd. Livestock Production Science, 57, 181–191
Martinez G.E., Koch R.M., Cundiff L. V., Gregory K.E., Van Vleck L.D. 2004. Number of calves born, number of calves weaned, and cumulative weaning weight as measures of lifetime production for Hereford cows. Journal of Animal Science, 82, 1903–1911
Van der Merw P.S., Schoeman S.J. 1995. Effect of early calving of Simmentaler heifers under an extensive management system. South African Society of Animal Science, 25, 36–39
Meyer K. 2007. WOMBAT: a tool for mixed model analyses in quantitative genetics by restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B, 8, 815–821
Oyama K., Katsuta T., Anada K., Mukai F. 2004. Genetic parameters for reproductive performance of breeding cows and carcass traits of fattening animals in Japanese Black (Wagyu). Animal Science, 78, 195–201
Schwengber E.B., Bezerra L.A.F., Lôbo R.B. 2001. Produtividade acumulada como critério de seleção em fêmeas da raça nelore. Ciência Rural, 31, 483–486
Silveira J.C., Mcmanus C., Mascioli A.S., Silva L.O.C. Da, Silveira A.C., Garcia J.A.S., Louvandini H. 2004. Fatores Ambientais e Parâmetros Genéticos para Características Produtivas e Reprodutivas em um Rebanho Nelore no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 33, 1432–1444
Acknowledgments
Daniela do Amaral Grossi was supported by a Post-Doctoral fellowship at the University of Guelph. We would like to thank the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for the fellowship received by Mariana Piatto Berton (grantee n. 07/07116-3), Marcos Eli Buzanskas (grantee n. 13/19335-2), and Tatiane Cristina Seleguim Chud (15/08939-0). Natália Vinhal Grupioni would like to acknowledge CAPES (“Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior”) for the grant received. Danísio Prado Munari, Claudia Cristina Paro de Paz, and Raysildo Barbosa Lôbo were supported by a fellowship from the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grossi, D.d.A., Berton, M.P., Buzanskas, M.E. et al. Genetic analysis on accumulated productivity and calving intervals in Nelore cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 48, 207–210 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0915-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0915-3