ABSTRACT
In beef cattle, the selection for higher weights at young ages has been questioned with the argument that this criterion may increase the adult weight of cows, resulting in higher costs. Therefore, selection criteria should be employed to increase weights at young ages with minimal impact on the adult weight of cows. Additionally, the relationship between measures of cow production efficiency and other well-established selection criteria in breeding programs remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to longitudinally evaluate the relationship between the weaning index (WIndex) as a measure of efficiency and growth traits of the cows. Possible changes over time in WIndex due to selection applied for yearling weight (YW) were also investigated. The WIndex was proposed to maximize genetic response in the weaning weight of the calf while maintaining genetic gain in BW of the cow at zero. A random regression model was adopted to estimate correlations between WIndex, BW, hip height (HH), and body condition score (BCS) using records of Nelore cows from three lines. Genetic trends were calculated for the control line (NeC) and lines selected for greater YW (NeS and NeT). The age of 3 years was the most critical for the weaning efficiency of the cows. At this stage, young cows are still growing and wean lighter calves than their adult counterparts. The genetic correlation estimates between WIndex and BW (-0.58 to 0.04), HH (-0.05 to -0.34), and BCS (-0.51 to -0.17) were close to zero or negative. BW and HH were strongly correlated genetically across all ages (0.73-0.76). In general, HH exhibited a weak and negative genetic relationship with BCS. The genetic correlation between BW and BCS was stronger for advanced ages (0.45-0.68). In lines selected for YW, important increases in WIndex were observed. However, NeS has been selected since the 1980s until the present for YW, and thus, it showed a more pronounced trend of increasing BW and, consequently, a more modest trend of increasing WIndex compared to NeT. In contrast, WIndex exhibited a trend close to zero for NeC. In this context, monitoring HH and BCS can be useful to avoid losses in the weaning efficiency of cows. Furthermore, we suggest that one way to mitigate efficiency losses in calf production could involve stabilizing the BW of cows and increasing the weaning weight of calves using the WIndex.
Subject(s)
Weaning , Female , Cattle/genetics , Animals , Body Weight/genetics , PhenotypeABSTRACT
Remarkable increases in the production of dairy animals have negatively impacted their tolerance to heat stress (HS). The evaluation of the effect of HS on milk yield is based on the direct impact of HS on performance. However, in practical terms, HS also exerts its influence during gestation (indirect effect). The main purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the genotype by environment interaction (G × E) due to HS during the last 60 days of gestation (THI_g) and also the HS postpartum (THI_m) over first lactation milk production of Brazilian Holstein cattle. A total of 389 127 test day milk yield (TD) records from 1572 first lactation Holstein cows born in Brazil (daughters of 1248 dams and 70 sires) and the corresponding temperature-humidity index (THI) obtained between December 2007 and January 2013 were analyzed using different random regression models. Cows in the cold environment (THI_g = 64 to 73) during the last 60 days of gestation produced more milk than those cows in a hot environment (THI_g = 74 to 84), particularly during the first 150 days of lactation (DIM). The heritabilities (h2) of TD were similar throughout DIM for cows in THI_g hot (0.11 to 0.20) or (0.10 to 0.22), while the genetic correlations (rg) for TD between these two environments ranged from 0.11 to 0.52 along the first 250 DIM. The h2 estimates for TD across THI_m were similar for cows in THI_g hot (0.07 to 0.25) and THI_g cold (0.08 to 0.19). The rg estimates ranged from 0.17 to 0.42 along THI_m between TD of cows in cold and hot THI_g. The results were consistent in demonstrating the existence of an additional source of G × E for TD due to THI_g and THI_m. The present study is probably the first to provide evidence of this source of G × E; further research is needed because of its importance when the breeding objective is to select animals that are more tolerant to HS.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases , Cattle , Gene-Environment Interaction , Heat Stress Disorders , Animals , Brazil , Cattle/genetics , Female , Heat Stress Disorders/veterinary , Heat-Shock Response , Hot Temperature , Humidity , Lactation , MilkABSTRACT
Longer-lived cows tend to be more profitable and the stayability trait is a selection criterion correlated to longevity. An alternative to the traditional approach to evaluate stayability is its definition based on consecutive calvings, whose main advantage is the more accurate evaluation of young bulls. However, no study using this alternative approach has been conducted for Zebu breeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare linear random regression models to fit stayability to consecutive calvings of Guzerá, Nelore and Tabapuã cows and to estimate genetic parameters for this trait in the respective breeds. Data up to the eighth calving were used. The models included the fixed effects of age at first calving and year-season of birth of the cow and the random effects of contemporary group, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual. Random regressions were modeled by orthogonal Legendre polynomials of order 1 to 4 (2 to 5 coefficients) for contemporary group, additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Using Deviance Information Criterion as the selection criterion, the model with 4 regression coefficients for each effect was the most adequate for the Nelore and Tabapuã breeds and the model with 5 coefficients is recommended for the Guzerá breed. For Guzerá, heritabilities ranged from 0.05 to 0.08, showing a quadratic trend with a peak between the fourth and sixth calving. For the Nelore and Tabapuã breeds, the estimates ranged from 0.03 to 0.07 and from 0.03 to 0.08, respectively, and increased with increasing calving number. The additive genetic correlations exhibited a similar trend among breeds and were higher for stayability between closer calvings. Even between more distant calvings (second v. eighth), stayability showed a moderate to high genetic correlation, which was 0.77, 0.57 and 0.79 for the Guzerá, Nelore and Tabapuã breeds, respectively. For Guzerá, when the models with 4 or 5 regression coefficients were compared, the rank correlations between predicted breeding values for the intercept were always higher than 0.99, indicating the possibility of practical application of the least parameterized model. In conclusion, the model with 4 random regression coefficients is recommended for the genetic evaluation of stayability to consecutive calvings in Zebu cattle.
Subject(s)
Breeding , Cattle , Animals , Cattle/genetics , Cattle/physiology , Female , Linear Models , Models, Genetic , Parturition , Phenotype , PregnancyABSTRACT
The objectives of the present study were: 1) to investigate variation in the genetic component of heat stress for nonreturn rate at 56 days after first artificial insemination (NR56); 2) to identify and characterize the genotype by environment interaction (G × E) due to heat stress for NR56 of Brazilian Holstein cattle. A linear random regression model (reaction norm model) was applied to 51,748 NR56 records of 28,595 heifers and multiparous cows. The decline in NR56 due to heat stress was more pronounced in milking cows compared to heifers. The age of females at first artificial insemination and temperature-humidity index (THI) exerted an important influence on the genetic parameters of NR56. Several evidence of G × E on NR56 were found as the high slope/intercept ratio and frequent intersection of reaction norms. Additionally, the genetic correlation between NR56 at opposite extremes of the THI scale reached estimates below zero, indicating that few of the same genes are responsible for NR56 under conditions of thermoneutrality and heat stress. The genetic evaluation and selection for NR56 in Holstein cattle reared under (sub)tropical conditions should therefore take into consideration the genetic variation on age at insemination and G × E due to heat stress.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/genetics , Genotype , Heat Stress Disorders/veterinary , Reproduction , Animals , Cattle , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Heat Stress Disorders/genetics , Reproduction/genetics , Reproduction/physiologyABSTRACT
Tropical and sub-tropical climates are characterized by high temperature and humidity, during at least part of the year. Consequently, heat stress is common in Holstein cattle and productive and reproductive losses are frequent. Our objectives were as follows: (1) to quantify losses in production and quality of milk due to heat stress; (2) to estimate genetic correlations within and between milk yield (MY) and milk quality traits; and (3) to evaluate the trends of genetic components of tolerance to heat stress in multiple lactations of Brazilian Holstein cows. Thus, nine analyses using two-trait random regression animal models were carried out to estimate variance components and genetic parameters over temperature-humidity index (THI) values for MY and milk quality traits (three lactations: MY×fat percentage (F%), MY×protein percentage (P%) and MY×somatic cell score (SCS)) of Brazilian Holstein cattle. It was demonstrated that the effects of heat stress can be harmful for traits related to milk production and milk quality of Holstein cattle even though most herds were maintained in a modified environment, for example, with fans and sprinklers. For MY, the effect of heat stress was more detrimental in advanced lactations (-0.22 to -0.52 kg/day per increase of 1 THI unit). In general, the mean heritability estimates were higher for lower THI values and longer days in milk for all traits. In contrast, the heritability estimates for SCS increased with increasing THI values in the second and third lactation. For each trait studied, lower genetic correlations (different from unity) were observed between opposite extremes of THI (THI 47 v. THI 80) and in advanced lactations. The genetic correlations between MY and milk quality trait varied across the THI scale and lactations. The genotype×environment interaction due to heat stress was more important for MY and SCS, particularly in advanced lactations, and can affect the genetic relationship between MY and milk quality traits. Selection for higher MY, F% or P% may result in a poor response of the animals to heat stress, as a genetic antagonism was observed between the general production level and specific ability to respond to heat stress for these traits. Genetic trends confirm the adverse responses in the genetic components of heat stress over the years for milk production and quality. Consequently, the selection of Holstein cattle raised in modified environments in both tropical and sub-tropical regions should take into consideration the genetic variation in heat stress.
Subject(s)
Cattle/genetics , Cattle/physiology , Lactation/physiology , Thermotolerance , Tropical Climate , Animals , Brazil , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Hot Temperature , Humidity , Milk , Models, Biological , PhenotypeABSTRACT
The productivity of herds may be negatively affected by inbreeding depression, and it is important to know how intense is this effect on the livestock performance. We performed a comprehensive analysis involving five Zebu breeds reared in Brazil to estimate inbreeding depression in productive and reproductive traits. Inbreeding depression was estimated for 13 traits by including the individual inbreeding rate as a linear covariate in the standard genetic evaluation models. For all breeds and for almost all traits (no effect was observed on gestation length), the performance of the animals was compromised by an increase in inbreeding. The average inbreeding depression was -0.222% and -0.859% per 1% of inbreeding for linear regression coefficients scaled on the percentage of mean (ßm ) and standard deviation (ßσ ), respectively. The means for ßm (and ßσ ) were -0.269% (-1.202%) for weight/growth traits and -0.174% (-0.546%) for reproductive traits. Hence, inbreeding depression is more pronounced in weight/growth traits than in reproductive traits. These findings highlight the need for the management of inbreeding in the respective breeding programmes of the breeds studied here.
Subject(s)
Cattle/classification , Cattle/genetics , Inbreeding , Meat , Milk , Animals , Brazil , Cattle/physiologyABSTRACT
Our objective was to genetically characterize post-weaning weight gain (PWG), over a 345-day period after weaning, of Brangus-Ibagé (Nelore×Angus) cattle. Records (n=4016) were from the foundation herd of the Embrapa South Livestock Center. A Bayesian approach was used to assess genotype by environment (G×E) interaction and to identify a suitable model for the estimation of genetic parameters and use in genetic evaluation. A robust and heteroscedastic reaction norm multiple-breed animal model was proposed. The model accounted for heterogeneity of residual variance associated with effects of breed, heterozygosity, sex and contemporary group; and was robust with respect to outliers. Additive genetic effects were modeled for the intercept and slope of a reaction norm to changes in the environmental gradient. Inference was based on Monte Carlo Markov Chain of 110 000 cycles, after 10 000 cycles of burn-in. Bayesian model choice criteria indicated the proposed model was superior to simpler sub-models that did not account for G×E interaction, multiple-breed structure, robustness and heteroscedasticity. We conclude that, for the Brangus-Ibagé population, these factors should be jointly accounted for in genetic evaluation of PWG. Heritability estimates increased proportionally with improvement in the environmental conditions gradient. Therefore, an increased proportion of differences in performance among animals were explained by genetic factors rather than environmental factors as rearing conditions improved. As a consequence response to selection may be increased in favorable environments.
Subject(s)
Breeding , Cattle/genetics , Models, Genetic , Weight Gain/genetics , Animals , Bayes Theorem , Environment , Genetic Variation , Genotype , Markov Chains , Monte Carlo Method , WeaningABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to identify the genetic variation in the weaning weight (WW) of beef cattle as a function of heat stress. The WWs were recorded at approximately 205 days of age in three Brazilian beef cattle populations: Nelore (93,616), Brangus (18,906) and Tropical Composite (62,679). In view of the cumulative nature of WW, the effect of heat stress was considered as the accumulation of temperature and humidity index units (ACTHI) from the animal's birth to weaning. A reaction norm model was used to estimate the (co)variance components of WW across the ACTHI scale. The accumulation of THI units from birth to weaning negatively affected the WW. The definition of accumulated THI units as an environmental descriptor permitted to identify important genetic variation in the WW as a function of heat stress. As evidence of genotype by environment interaction, substantial heterogeneity was observed in the (co)variance components for WW across the environmental gradient. In this respect, the best animals in less stressful environments are not necessarily the best animals in more stressful environments. Furthermore, the response to selection for WW is expected to be lower in more stressful environments.
Subject(s)
Body Weight , Cattle/physiology , Genetic Variation , Weaning , Animals , Cattle/genetics , Female , Hot Temperature , WeatherABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 305-day cumulative milk yield (MY305) and its association with test-day milk yield (TDMY) in Saanen and Alpine goats in order to provide information that allows the use of TDMY as selection criteria. This was done using standard multi-trait and reduced rank models. Data from 1157 lactations, including the first three kiddings, and 5435 test-day records from 683 Saanen and 449 Alpine goats were used. MY305 was analyzed together with TDMY by multi-trait analysis, from the first to tenth test-day, using records of the first three lactations as repeated measures. Three multi-trait models were used: a standard (SM) and two reduced rank models that fitted the first two (PC2) and three (PC3) genetic principal components. Akaike and Schwarz Bayesian information criteria were used to compare models. Heritability for TDMY estimated with the SM ranged from 0.20 to 0.66, whereas the range calculated from the PC2 model was 0.16 to 0.63. Genetic correlations between TDMY and MY305 were positive and moderate to high, ranging from 0.56 to 0.98 when estimated with the SM, and 0.91 to 1.00 when estimated with the PC2. The standard multi-trait model produced estimates that were more accurate than the reduced rank models. Although the SM provided the worst fit according to the two model selection criteria, it was the best in this dataset.
Subject(s)
Goats , Lactation , Milk , Algorithms , Animals , Female , Genetic Association Studies , Multivariate AnalysisABSTRACT
The objective of the study presented here was to analyze the genetic relationships among heifer pregnancy (HP), age at first calving (AFC), stayability (STAY), average annual productivity of the cow, in kilograms of weaned calf per cow per year (PRODAM), postweaning weight gain (PWG), and hip height (HH) of Nelore females from 12 Brazilian herds. (Co)variance components were obtained by six-trait animal model using Gibbs sampling. The posterior mean of the heritability estimates were 0.37, 0.18, 0.19, 0.16, 0.21, and 0.37 for HP, AFC, STAY, PRODAM, PWG, and HH, respectively. In general, the genetic correlations were strong between traits related to reproduction, for example, -0.85 between HP and AFC, and 0.94 between STAY and PRODAM. Weak genetic correlations were obtained between reproductive and growth traits (absolute values ranging from 0.02 to 0.30). Although weak, the genetic correlations between PWG and reproductive traits were favorable, whereas the genetic correlations between HH and reproductive traits were close to zero and slightly unfavorable for HP, AFC, and STAY. An increase of HH is therefore expected to have little or no negative effect on the reproductive performance of females. The posterior mean of genetic correlation between PWG and HH was moderate (0.50). On the basis of the heritability, genetic correlation estimates, and time to obtain data, HP and PRODAM seems to show the best potential as selection criteria to improve the productive and reproductive performance of Nelore females. In principle, it is possible to select for increased PWG without compromising the reproduction of Nelore females. However, selection for PWG may result in an increase of female HH as a correlated response, a fact that could increase management costs in advanced generations of selection. In the light of the results, all traits studied here can be used as selection criteria and there is no strong evidence of genetic antagonism among traits related to reproduction and growth of Nelore females.
Subject(s)
Cattle/growth & development , Cattle/genetics , Reproduction/physiology , Aging , Animals , Cattle/physiology , Female , Models, Biological , Pregnancy , Reproduction/geneticsABSTRACT
The continuous trait age at subsequent rebreeding (ASR) was evaluated using survival analysis in Nellore breed cows that conceived for the first time at approximately 14 months of age. This methodology was chosen because the restricted breeding season produces censored data. The dataset contained 2885 records of ASR (in days). Records of females that did not produce calves in the following year after being exposed to a sire were considered censored (48.3% of the total). The statistical model used was a Weibull mixed survival model, which included fixed effects of contemporary groups (CG) and period and a random effect of individual animal. The effect of contemporary groups on ASR was significant (P < 0.01). Heritabilities obtained for ASR were 0.03 and 0.04 in logarithmic and original scales, respectively. These results indicate that the genetic selection response for subsequent reproduction of 2-year-old Nellore breed females is not expected to be effective based on survival analysis. Furthermore, these results suggest that environmental improvement is fundamental to this important trait. It should be highlighted that an increase in the average date of birth can produce an adverse effect in the future, since this cannot be compensated by genetic improvement.
Subject(s)
Breeding , Reproduction/genetics , Selection, Genetic , Survival Analysis , Age Factors , Animals , Cattle , Environment , Female , PhenotypeABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to characterize and define homogenous production environments of composite beef cattle in Brazil in terms of climatic and geographic variables by using multivariate exploratory techniques; to evaluate the presence of genotype by environment interaction (GxE) for post-weaning weight gain (PWG), yearling scrotal circumference (SC), and yearling muscling (MUS). Hierarchical and nonhierarchical cluster analysis was used to group farms located in regions with similar environmental variables into clusters. Six clusters of farms were formed. The effect of sire-cluster interaction was tested by single-trait analysis. Genetic parameters were estimated by multi-trait analysis considering the same trait to be different in each cluster. The effect of sire-cluster interaction was significant (P <0.01) for PWG and MUS. Estimates of genetic correlations among clusters ranged from 0.31 to 0.93 for PWG, 0.64 to 0.89 for SC, and 0.18 to 0.80 for MUS. These results indicate the need for a genetic analysis on a regional basis or inclusion of the GxE effect in the statistical model to permit appropriate evaluation of the animals.
Subject(s)
Gene-Environment Interaction , Genotype , Weight Gain/genetics , Animals , Brazil , Cattle , Environment , Male , Models, Genetic , WeaningABSTRACT
The objectives of the present study were: (1) to evaluate the importance of genotype × production environment interaction for the genetic evaluation of birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW) in a population of composite beef cattle in Brazil, and (2) to investigate the importance of sire × contemporary group interaction (S × CG) to model G × E and improve the accuracy of prediction in routine genetic evaluations of this population. Analyses were performed with one, two (favorable and unfavorable) or three (favorable, intermediate, unfavorable) different definitions of production environments. Thus, BW and WW records of animals in a favorable environment were assigned to either trait 1, in an intermediate environment to trait 2 or in an unfavorable environment to trait 3. The (co)variance components were estimated using Gibbs sampling in single-, bi- or three-trait animal models according to the definition of number of production environments. In general, the estimates of genetic parameters for BW and WW were similar between environments. The additive genetic correlations between production environments were close to unity for BW; however, when examining the highest posterior density intervals, the correlation between favorable and unfavorable environments reached a value of only 0.70, a fact that may lead to changes in the ranking of sires across environments. The posterior mean genetic correlation between direct effects was 0.63 in favorable and unfavorable environments for WW. When S × CG was included in two- or three-trait analyses, all direct genetic correlations were close to unity, suggesting that there was no evidence of a genotype × production environment interaction. Furthermore, the model including S × CG contributed to prevent overestimation of the accuracy of breeding values of sires, provided a lower error of prediction for both direct and maternal breeding values, lower squared bias, residual variance and deviance information criterion than the model omitting S × CG. Thus, the model that included S × CG can therefore be considered the best model on the basis of these criteria. The genotype × production environment interaction should not be neglected in the genetic evaluation of BW and WW in the present population of beef cattle. The inclusion of S × CG in the model is a feasible and plausible alternative to model the effects of G × E in the genetic evaluations.
Subject(s)
Cattle/physiology , Gene-Environment Interaction , Models, Biological , Animals , Birth Weight , Body Weight , Brazil , Cattle/genetics , Female , Male , WeaningABSTRACT
The objectives of the present study were to compare alternative models for the genetic evaluation and assess the importance of genotype by environment interaction (G×E) in the estimation of genetic parameters and genetic evaluation of birth weight (BW), weight at 60 days of age (W60) and weight at 180 days of age (W180) of Santa Ines sheep. Data comprise 7622 BW, 4673 W60 and 2830 W180 records from animals born in 44 Brazilian herds. Four models were used for the analyses: animal model (AM) with homogeneous residual variance (1), or heterogeneous residual variance (2), hierarchical reaction norms model (HRNM) with homogeneous (1) or heterogeneous residual variance (2). The models that best fit the BW, W60 and W180 data were AM2, HRNM1 and HRNM2 respectively. Thus, models for genetic evaluation that consider heterogeneity of variances are recommended to evaluate growth traits of sheep. The correlation between intercept and slope of the HRNM was higher than 0.70 for all traits studied, indicating that animals with higher average breeding values responded better to improvement in environmental conditions, a fact characterizing the scale effect of G×E. Therefore, G×E is an important factor to be considered in the estimation of genetic parameters and genetic evaluation of growth traits of sheep.
Subject(s)
Gene-Environment Interaction , Genotype , Models, Genetic , Sheep/growth & development , Sheep/genetics , Animals , Birth Weight/genetics , Phenotype , Sheep/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Relatou-se um caso de espinha bífida aberta em uma bezerra de seis dias de idade que apresentava decúbito lateral permanente, pescoço em posição de opistótono, membros torácicos estendidos, impotência funcional dos membros pélvicos e fístulação na região lombar. Todos os achados clínicos, radiográficos e necroscópicos, descritos neste trabalho, são compatíveis com um quadro de espinha bífida aberta, sendo este o primeiro relato no estado de Minas Gerais.
A case of open spina bifida is reported in a six day old calf which presented permanent lateral decubitus, opisthotonus neck position, stretched forelimbs, non-functional impairment of the hindlimbs and fistula in the lumbar region. All clinical, radiographic and necropsy finds described in this work are consistent with an open spina bifida case. This is the first case report in Minas Gerais State, Brazil.
Subject(s)
Animals , Pelvis/anatomy & histology , Lumbosacral Region/anatomy & histology , Spinal Dysraphism , Cattle/classificationABSTRACT
This study was conducted to examine the relationship among average annual productivity of the cow (PRODAM), yearling weight (YW), postweaning BW gain (PWG), scrotal circumference (SC), and stayability in the herd for at least 6 yr (STAY) of Nelore and composite beef cattle. Measurements were taken on animals born between 1980 and 2010 on 70 farms located in 7 Brazilian states. Estimates of heritability and genetic and environmental correlations were obtained by Bayesian approach with 5-trait animal models. Genetic trends were estimated by regressing means of estimated breeding values by year of birth. The heritability estimates were between 0.14 and 0.47. Estimates of genetic correlation among female traits (PRODAM and STAY) and growth traits ranged from -0.02 to 0.30. Estimates of genetic correlations ranged from 0.23 to 0.94 among growth traits indicating that selection for these traits could be successful in tropical breeding programs. Genetic correlations among all traits were favorable and simultaneous selection for growth, productivity, and stayability is therefore possible. Genetic correlation between PRODAM and STAY was 0.99 and 0.85 for Nelore and composite cattle, respectively. Therefore, PRODAM and STAY might be influenced by many of the same genes. The inclusion of PRODAM instead of STAY as a selection criterion seems to be more advantageous for tropical breeding programs because the generation interval required to obtain accurate estimates of genetic merit for PRODAM is shorter. Average annual genetic changes were greater in Nelore than in composite cattle. This was not unexpected because the breeding program of composite cattle included a large number of farms, different production environments, and genetic level of the herds and breeds. Thus, the selection process has become more difficult in this population.
Subject(s)
Cattle/physiology , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , Selection, Genetic , Animals , Body Weight , Brazil , Breeding , Cattle/genetics , Cattle/growth & development , Female , Male , Models, Genetic , Scrotum/anatomy & histology , Scrotum/growth & development , Species Specificity , Weight GainABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of genotype by environment interaction (G × E) and to characterize the phenotypic plasticity of birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), postweaning weight gain (PWG) and yearling scrotal circumference (SC) in composite beef cattle using the reaction norms model with unknown covariate. The animals were born between 1995 and 2008 on 33 farms located throughout all Brazilian biomes between latitude -7° and -31°, longitude -40° and -63°. The contemporary group was chosen as the environmental descriptor, that is, the environmental covariate of the reaction norms. In general, higher estimates of direct heritability were observed in extreme favorable environments. The mean of direct heritability across the environmental gradient ranged from 0.05 to 0.51, 0.09 to 0.43, 0.01 to 0.43 and from 0.12 to 0.26 for BW, WW, PWG and SC, respectively. The variation in direct heritability observed indicates a different response to selection according to the environment in which the animals of the population are evaluated. The correlation between the level and slope of the reaction norm for BW and PWG was high, indicating that animals with higher average breeding values responded better to improvement in environmental conditions, a fact characterizing a scale of G × E. Low correlation between the intercept and slope was obtained for WW and SC, implying re-ranking of animals in different environments. Genetic variation exists in the sensitivity of animals to the environment, a fact that permits the selection of more plastic or robust genotypes in the population studied. Thus, the G × E is an important factor that should be considered in the genetic evaluation of the present population of composite beef cattle.
Subject(s)
Birth Weight , Cattle/growth & development , Cattle/genetics , Gene-Environment Interaction , Scrotum/growth & development , Weight Gain , Animal Husbandry , Animals , Brazil , Breeding , Female , Male , Models, Genetic , WeaningABSTRACT
Relatou-se um caso de espinha bífida aberta em uma bezerra de seis dias de idade que apresentava decúbito lateral permanente, pescoço em posição de opistótono, membros torácicos estendidos, impotência funcional dos membros pélvicos e fístulação na região lombar. Todos os achados clínicos, radiográficos e necroscópicos, descritos neste trabalho, são compatíveis com um quadro de espinha bífida aberta, sendo este o primeiro relato no estado de Minas Gerais.(AU)
A case of open spina bifida is reported in a six day old calf which presented permanent lateral decubitus, opisthotonus neck position, stretched forelimbs, non-functional impairment of the hindlimbs and fistula in the lumbar region. All clinical, radiographic and necropsy finds described in this work are consistent with an open spina bifida case. This is the first case report in Minas Gerais State, Brazil.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Spinal Dysraphism , Pelvis/anatomy & histology , Lumbosacral Region/anatomy & histology , Cattle/classificationABSTRACT
With the objective of evaluating measures of milk yield persistency, 27,000 test-day milk yield records from 3362 first lactations of Brazilian Gyr cows that calved between 1990 and 2007 were analyzed with a random regression model. Random, additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were modeled using Legendre polynomials of order 4 and 5, respectively. Residual variance was modeled using five classes. The average lactation curve was modeled using a fourth-order Legendre polynomial. Heritability estimates for measures of persistency ranged from 0.10 to 0.25. Genetic correlations between measures of persistency and 305-day milk yield (Y305) ranged from -0.52 to 0.03. At high selection intensities for persistency measures and Y305, few animals were selected in common. As the selection intensity for the two traits decreased, a higher percentage of animals were selected in common. The average predicted breeding values for Y305 according to year of birth of the cows had a substantial annual genetic gain. In contrast, no improvement in the average persistency breeding value was observed. We conclude that selection for total milk yield during lactation does not identify bulls or cows that are genetically superior in terms of milk yield persistency. A measure of persistency represented by the sum of deviations of estimated breeding value for days 31 to 280 in relation to estimated breeding value for day 30 should be preferred in genetic evaluations of this trait in the Gyr breed, since this measure showed a medium heritability and a genetic correlation with 305-day milk yield close to zero. In addition, this measure is more adequate at the time of peak lactation, which occurs between days 25 and 30 after calving in this breed.
Subject(s)
Lactation/physiology , Milk , Animals , Breeding , Cattle , Female , MaleABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Currently, there is a higher occurrence of biopsychosocial diseases, especially eating disorders, involving different body systems and aspects related to the individual and their social relations. OBJECTIVE: Addressing current and relevant issues about the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for anorexia and bulimia nervosa in adolescence. METHODS: Search the databases: MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS for studies published on the epidemiology and risk factors for eating disorders in adolescence. RESULTS: The highest incidence of anorexia and bulimia nervosa among girls in the middle and final phase of adolescence. Factors that increase the risk for the onset of eating disorders in adolescents are: genetics, body changes during puberty, the vulnerability of adolescents to the ideals of thinness, social pressures to be thin, body image dissatisfaction, restrictive diet, depression and low self-esteem. However, it is suggested that in different cultures, eating disorders may come from a number of conditions unrelated to compensatory behaviors or weight, but the shape of the body. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors determine the occurrence of anorexia and bulimia nervosa in adolescence, however, there is no consensus how these factors interact in this complex process, which indicates the need for further investigations.