Genetic parameters for milk, fat and protein yields in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for test-day milk, fat and protein yields and 305-day-yields in Murrah buffaloes. 4,757 complete lactations of Murrah buffaloes were analyzed. Co-variance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method. The models included additive direct genetic and permanent environmental effects as random effects, and the fixed effects of contemporary group, milking number and age of the cow at calving as linear and quadratic covariables. Contemporary groups were defined by herd-year-month of test for test-day yields and by herd-year-season of calving for 305-day yields. The heritability estimates obtained by two-trait analysis ranged from 0.15 to 0.24 for milk, 0.16 to 0.23 for protein and 0.13 to 0.22 for fat, yields. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were all positive. The observed population additive genetic variation indicated that selection might be an effective tool in changing population means in milk, fat and protein yields.

Modelos de dimensão finita para a estimação de parâmetros genéticos para a produção de leite de primeiras lactações de vacas da raça Holandesa / Finite dimension models to estimate genetic parameters for first lactation milk yields of Holstein cows

Foram estimados parâmetros genéticos para produção de leite acumulada até 305 dias (P305) e produção de leite no dia do controle (PLDC) de 50.171 controles mensais de 9.281 primeiras lactações de vacas da raça Holandesa. A P305 e as PLDC foram analisadas por meio de modelo animal uni e bicaracterísticas. Para a P305 o modelo incluiu como aleatório, o efeito genético e como efeitos fixos o grupo de contemporâneos e a covariável idade da vaca ao parto. Para as PLDC foi usado o mesmo modelo descrito para a P305, incluindo como covariável o número de dias em lactação. Os componentes de variância foram estimados pelo Método da Máxima Verossimilhança Restrita. As estimativas de herdabilidade (h²) para as PLDC oscilaram entre 0,07 e 0,19 em análises unicaracterísticas e, de 0,12 a 0,22 nas bicaracterísticas. Para a P305, as h² resultantes das análises uni-característica e bicaracterística foram 0,26 e 0,27, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas das PLDC com a P305 foram todas positivas e elevadas, variando de 0,63 a 1,00. As correlações genéticas entre as PLDC variaram de 0,30 a 1,00. A seleção para a P305 parece ser o melhor critério de seleção a ser adotado, uma vez que proporciona maiores ganhos genéticos para as produções de leite em, praticamente, todos os controles da lactação.

Genetic parameters for 50,171 first lactation test-day milk yields and 305 day milk yield (Y305) of 9,281 Holstein cows were estimated, applying uni and bi-trait animal models. The model for Y305 included the additive genetic effect as random and the fixed effects of contemporary group and age of cow at calving as covariable. For TDMY the same animal model described for Y305 was used, including days in milk as covariable. Variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood. Heritability estimates obtained for TDMY ranged from 0.07 to 0.19 and from 0.12 to 0.22 by uni-trait and bi-trait analysis, respectively. Heritability for Y305 was 0.26 by uni-trait and 0.27 by bi-trait analysis. The genetic correlations between TDMY and Y305 were all positive and high, ranging from 0.63 to 1.00. The genetic correlations between TDMY ranged from 0.30 to 1.00. Selection for Y305 seems to be the best selection criterion to be adopted, since it provides larger genetic gain for milk productions in, practically, all test days.

Parâmetros genéticos e eficiência relativa de seleção para a produção de leite no dia do controle para vacas da raça Holandesa / Genetic parameters and relative selection efficience for milk production on test day model for Holstein cows

Para estudar a viabilidade da utilização das produções de leite no dia do controle (PLDC) em avaliações genéticas, foram utilizados 33.775 controles mensais da primeira lactação de 4.241 vacas da raça Holandesa, filhas de 561 touros, distribuídas em 23 rebanhos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, no período de 1992 a 2001. Os componentes de (co)variância foram obtidos pelo método da Máxima Verossimilhança Restrita, com modelo animal. Os modelos consideraram as PLDC e as produções em 305 dias (PL305), segundo os efeitos aleatórios, genético aditivo direto, de ambiente permanente e residual, e dos efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneos e rebanho, além das covariáveis, idade da vaca ao parto e intervalo parto primeiro controle (somente para as PLDC), com os componentes linear e quadrático. As estimativas de herdabilidade para as PLDC e as correlações genéticas destas com PL305 foram altas, sugerindo que as PLDC podem ser utilizadas em avaliações genéticas em substituição a PL305. A eficiência relativa de seleção das PLDC como critério de seleção foi superior em relação à PL305.

To verify the possibility of the Test Day Model Methodology (PLCD) to be used in genetic evaluations, records on 33,775 monthly test day were studied. The records were obtained from 4,241 first lactation Holstein cows, sired by 561 bulls, distributed in 23 herds in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, from 1992 to 2001. The (co)variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximun Likelihood method, on animal model. The model considered PLCD and 305 days yield (PL305), as functions of the aditive genetic direct, permanent environmental, and residual random effects; the contemporary group and the herd as fixed effects and the covariables, age of cow at birth and calving-first control interval (only for PLCD), linear and quadratics effects. The high heritabilities for PLCD and the high genetic correlations estimated among PLCD and PL305 suggest that PLCD can be used in genetic evaluation of Holtein cows. The relative selection efficiency for PLCD, as a selection criteriun, was higher than that for PL305.

Variance component estimates applying random regression models for test-day milk yield in Caracu heifers (Bos taurus Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

Random regression models (RRM) were used to estimate covariance functions for 2,155 first-lactation milk yields of native Brazilian Caracu heifers. The models included contemporary group (defined as year-month of test and paddock) fixed effects, and quadratic effect of age of cow at calving. Genetic and permanent environmental effects were fitted by a random regression model and Legendre polynomials of days in milk (DIM). Schwarz's Bayesian information criteria (BIC) indicated that the best RRM assumed a six coefficient function for both random effects and a sixth order variance function for residual structure. Akaike's information criteria suggested a model with the same number of coefficients for both effects and a residual structure fitted by a step function with 15 variances. Phenotypic, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual variances were higher at the beginning and declined during lactation. The RRM heritability estimates were 0.09 to 0.26 and generally higher at the beginning and end of lactation. Some unexpected negative genetic correlations emerged when higher order covariance functions were used. A model with four coefficients for additive genetic covariance function explains more parsimoniously the changes in genetic variation with DIM since the genetic parameter was more acceptable and BIC was close to that for a six coefficient covariance function.

Test-day milk yield as a selection criterion for dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Artiodactyla, Bovidae)

Due to the great demand for buffalo milk by-products the interest in technical-scientific information about this species is increasing. Our objective was to propose selection criteria for milk yield in buffaloes based on total milk yield, 305-day milk yield (M305), and test-day milk yield. A total of 3,888 lactations from 1,630 Murrah (Bubalus bubalis) cows recorded between 1987 and 2001, from 10 herds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, were analyzed. Covariance components were obtained using the restricted maximum likelihood method applied to a bivariate animal model. Additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were considered as random, and contemporary group and lactation order as fixed effects. The heritability estimates were 0.22 for total milk yield and 0.19 for M305. For test-day yields, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.12 to 0.30, with the highest values being observed up to the third test month, followed by a decline until the end of lactation. The present results show that test-day milk yield, mainly during the first six months of lactation, could be adopted as a selection criterion to increase total milk yield.