Boletim de Indústria Animal (Jul 2015)

Genetic parameters for gestation length and pre- and postweaning growth traits in Nellore cattle

  • Heverton Luis Moreira,
  • Érika Breda Canova,
  • Danísio Prado Munari,
  • Luiz Antonio Framartino Bezerra,
  • Raysildo Barbosa Lôbo,
  • Claúdia Cristina Paro de Paz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.v72n2p130
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 72, no. 2
pp. 130 – 135

Abstract

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The objective of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations for gestation length as calf trait (GLcalf) and preweaning [birth weight (BW) and weights at 120 (W120) and 210 (W210) days] and postweaning performance traits [weights at 365 (W365) and 450 (W450) days] in Nellore cattle participating in the Nellore Brazil Program coordinated by the National Association of Breeders and Researchers (Associação Nacional de Criadores e Pesquisadores - ANCP). The parameters were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method under an animal model using the WOMBAT software. The genetic correlation between GLcalf and BW was 0.15, indicating a favorable association between the two traits which, however, was of small magnitude. GLcalf showed low positive genetic correlations (0.06 to 0.10) with the other weights, indicating that selection to reduce gestation length would not result in significant losses in weights at older ages. Furthermore, it is possible to infer that selection for higher W365 will not expressively increase gestation length.

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