M. J. I. Yokoo

Genetic associations between carcass traits measured by real-time ultrasound and scrotal circumference and growth traits in Nelore cattle

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genetic correlations among real-time ultrasound carcass, BW, and scrotal circumference (SC) traits in Nelore cattle. Carcass traits, measured by real-time ultrasound of the live animal, were recorded from 2002 to 2004 on 10 farms across 6 Brazilian states on 2,590 males and females ranging in age from 450 to 599 d. Ultrasound records of LM area (LMA) and backfat thickness (BF) were obtained from cross-sectional images between the 12th and 13th ribs, and rump fat thickness (RF) was measured between the hook and pin bones over the junction between gluteus medius and biceps femoris muscles. Also, BW (n = 22,778) and SC (n = 5,695) were recorded on animals born between 1998 and 2003. The BW traits were 120, 210, 365, 450, and 550-d standardized BW (W120, W210, W365, W450, and W550), plus BW (WS) and hip height (HH) on the ultrasound scanning date. The SC traits were 365-, 450-, and 550-d standardized SC (SC365, SC450, and SC550). For the BW and SC traits, the database used was from the Nelore Breeding Program-Nelore Brazil. The genetic parameters were estimated with multivariate animal models and REML. Estimated genetic correlations between LMA and other traits were 0.06 (BF), -0.04 (RF), 0.05 (HH), 0.58 (WS), 0.53 (W120), 0.62 (W210), 0.67 (W365), 0.64 (W450 and W550), 0.28 (SC365), 0.24 (SC450), and 0.00 (SC550). Estimated genetic correlations between BF and with other traits were 0.74 (RF), -0.32 (HH), 0.19 (WS), -0.03 (W120), -0.10 (W210), 0.04 (W365), 0.01 (W450), 0.06 (W550), 0.17 (SC365 and SC450), and -0.19 (SC550). Estimated genetic correlations between RF and other traits were -0.41 (HH), -0.09 (WS), -0.13 (W120), -0.09 (W210), -0.01 (W365), 0.02 (W450), 0.03 (W550), 0.05 (SC365), 0.11 (SC450), and -0.18 (SC550). These estimates indicate that selection for carcass traits measured by real-time ultrasound should not cause antagonism in the genetic improvement of SC and BW traits. Also, selection to increase HH might decrease subcutaneous fat as correlated response. Therefore, to obtain animals suited to specific tropical production systems, carcass, BW, and SC traits should be considered in selection programs.

Características reprodutivas e suas associações com outras características de importância econômica na raça Nelore

Heritability (h 2 ) and genetic correlations (rg) were estimated between reproductive traits such as age at first calving (AFC), first calving interval (FCI) and other economically relevant traits, i.e., weight (W) at year (Y) and at 18 months of age (S), scrotal circumference (SC), and hip height (HH) in Nelore cattle. The genetic parameters were estimated in a multiple-trait analysis, with animal models using the Bayesian inference by Gibbs Sampling algorithm. The genetic parameters estimated in this work suggest the existence of genetic variability for AFC (h 2 = 0.26), where the selection for the reduction of Nelore females AFC should respond to mass selection, without causing genetic antagonism in the selection of W (rg = -0,22 (Y) and -0,44 (S)), and SC (rg = 0,02). The selection for the AFC in the long term could lead to an increase in the animals frame, although this association is relatively low (-0.35). The posteriori heritability estimate for FCI was low, 0.11±0.03. The rg between FCI and the other traits studied indicate that selection for these growth traits will not affect the FCI.