Genetic parameters for somatic cell score and production traits in the first three lactations of Chinese Holstein cows

Fu-ping ZHAO; Gang GUO; Ya-chun WANG; Xiang-yu GUO; Yuan ZHANG; Li-xin DU

Journal of Integrative Agriculture (Jan 2015)

Genetic parameters for somatic cell score and production traits in the first three lactations of Chinese Holstein cows

Fu-ping ZHAO,
Gang GUO,
Ya-chun WANG,
Xiang-yu GUO,
Yuan ZHANG,
Li-xin DU

Affiliations

Fu-ping ZHAO: National Center for Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Animal, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P.R. China; Correspondence ZHANG Yuan
Gang GUO: National Center for Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Animal, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P.R. China; Beijing Sanyuan Dairy Cattle Breeding Center, Beijing 100076, P.R. China; College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
Ya-chun WANG: College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China
Xiang-yu GUO: College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China; Correspondence ZHANG Yuan
Yuan ZHANG: College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, P.R. China; Correspondence ZHANG Yuan
Li-xin DU: National Center for Molecular Genetics and Breeding of Animal, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, P.R. China; Correspondence ZHANG Yuan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 125 – 130

Abstract

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The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters of lactation average somatic cell scores (LSCS) and examine genetic associations between LSCS and production traits in the first three lactations of Chinese Holstein cows using single-parity multi-trait animal model and multi-trait repeatability animal model. There were totally 273 605 lactation records of Chinese Holstein cows with first calving from 2001 to 2012. Heritability estimates for LSCS ranged from 0.144 to 0.187. Genetic correlations between LSCS and 305 days milk, protein percentage and fat percentage were −0.079, −0.082 and −0.135, respectively. Phenotypic correlation between LSCS and 305 days milk yield was negative (−0.103 to −0.190). Genetic correlation between 305 days milk and fat percentage or protein percentage was highly negative. Genetic correlation between milk fat percentage and milk protein percentage was highly favorable. Heritabilities of production traits decreased with increase of parity, whereas heritability of LSCS increased with increase of parity.

Published in Journal of Integrative Agriculture

ISSN: 2095-3119 (Print); 2352-3425 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Agriculture (General)
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-integrative-agriculture

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