Evaluation of an average numerator relationship matrix model and a Bayesian hierarchical model for growth traits in Nellore cattle with uncertain paternity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estimation of genetic parameters for body weights, scrotal circumference, and testicular volume measured at different ages in Nellore cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of different nonlinear functions to describe Nelore cattle growth

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Selection for higher body weight in Nelore cattle is effective in achieving an increase of longissimus muscle area without reducing subcutaneous fat thickness

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic parameters and relationships between heifers rebreeding and hip height in Nellore cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genetic associations between flight speed and growth traits in Nellore cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Estimates of genetic parameters for scrotal circumference using random regression models in Nelore cattle

A total of 15,901 scrotal circumference (SC) records from 5300 Nelore bulls, ranging from 229 to 560 days of age, were used with the objective of estimating (co)variance functions for SC, using random regression models. Models included the fixed effects of contemporary group and age of dam at calving as covariable (linear and quadratic effects). To model the population mean trend, a third order Legendre polynomial on animal age was utilized. The direct additive genetic and animal permanent environmental random effects were modeled by Legendre polynomials on animal age, with orders of fit ranging from 1 to 5. Residual variances were modeled considering 1 (homogeneity of variance) or 4 age classes. Results obtained with the random regression models were compared to multi-trait analysis. (Co)variance estimates using multi-trait and random regression models were similar. The model considering a third- and fifth-order Legendre polynomials for additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects, respectively, was the most adequate to model changes in variance of SC with age. Heritability estimates for SC ranged from 0.24 (229 days of age) to 0.47 (300 days of age), remained almost constant until 500 days of age (0.52), decreasing thereafter (0.44). In general, the genetic correlations between measures of scrotal circumference obtained from 229 to 560 days of age decreased with increasing distance between ages. For genetic evaluation scrotal circumference could be measured between 400 and 500 days of age. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Associations of FASN gene polymorphisms with economical traits in Nellore cattle (Bos primigenius indicus)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic associations of conformation, finishing precocity and muscling visual scores with mature weight in Nelore cattle

Were estimate (co)variance and genetic associations between conformation, finishing precocity and muscling visual scores measured at weaning (SCW, SFW and SMW, respectively) and yearling (SCY. SFY and SMY, respectively) with mature weight (MW) in Nelore cows, in order to predict the possible changes that inclusion of visual scores in beef cattle selection indices would bring to female mature weight. The data set contained records of 36,757 females, born between 1993 and 2006, belonging to the Jacarezinho cattle raising farm. (Co)variance components were estimated by bivariate animal models using Bayesian inference method through Gibbs sampling, assuming a linear model for MW and a nonlinear (threshold) model for conformation, finishing precocity and muscling visual scores. The first 10,000 rounds were considered as the burn-in period and discarded. The posterior means of direct heritability distributions were: 0.16 +/- 0.02 (SCW); 0.20 +/- 0.02 (SFW); 0.19 +/- 0.02 (SMW); 0.24 +/- 0.02 (SCY); 0.31 +/- 0.02 (SFY); 0.32 +/- 0.02 (SMY) and 0.46 +/- 0.04 (MW). Estimates of genetic correlations between visual scores and MW were positive and moderate, ranging from 0.27 +/- 0.06 to 0.36 +/- 0.04. Visual scores and MW should respond favorably to direct selection. Mature weight can be used in Nelore breeding programs designed to monitor the cows' size. Selection of animals with higher conformation, finishing precocity and muscling scores, especially at yearling, should promote an increase in cows' mature weight. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Random regression analyses using B-splines functions to model growth from birth to adult age in Canchim cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genetic association between body composition measured by ultrasound and visual scores in Brazilian Nelore cattle

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Association between MUC1 gene polymorphism and expected progeny differences in Nelore cattle (Bos primigenius indicus)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Study of relations among age at first calving, average weight gains and weights from weaning to maturity in Nellore cattle

Dados de 23.120 animais da raça Nelore foram utilizados para estimar herdabilidade e correlações genéticas para a idade ao primeiro parto, o ganho em peso da desmama ao ano e do ano ao sobreano, o peso à desmama, o peso ao ano, o peso ao sobreano e os pesos aos 2 e aos 5 anos de idade. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, em análise multicaracterística. As herdabilidades estimadas para idade ao primeiro parto, ganho da desmama ao ano, ganho do ano ao sobreano, peso à desmama, peso ao ano, peso ao sobreano e peso aos 2 aos 5 anos foram de 0,17 ± 0,01; 0,23 ± 0,03; 0,25 ± 0,03; 0,28 ± 0,02; 0,26 ± 0,03; 0,30 ± 0,03; 0,32 ± 0,02 e 0,36 ± 0,04, respectivamente. Correlações genéticas baixas e negativas foram estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os pesos medidos em diferentes idades, que variaram de -0,26 a -0,14. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre a idade ao primeiro parto e os ganhos de peso também foram negativas, porém levemente superiores (-0,29 e -0,32). Os resultados indicam que a seleção para maior ganho de peso pode reduzir a idade ao primeiro parto e aumentar o peso adulto de fêmeas da raça Nelore. Mudança genética mais rápida para diminuição da idade ao primeiro parto das fêmeas pode ser obtida com a inclusão dessa característica nos índices de seleção.

Genetic parameters and relationships between growth traits and scrotal circumference measured at different ages in Nellore cattle

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic and environmental effects on sexual precocity traits in Nellore cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)