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Chacko Kaitholil SR, Mooney MH, Aubry A, Rezwan F, Shirali M. Insights into the influence of diet and genetics on feed efficiency and meat production in sheep. Anim Genet 2024; 55:20-46. [PMID: 38112204 PMCID: PMC10952161 DOI: 10.1111/age.13383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Feed costs and carcass yields affect the profitability and sustainability of sheep production. Therefore, it is crucial to select animals with a higher feed efficiency and high-quality meat production. This study focuses on the impact of dietary and genetic factors on production traits such as feed efficiency, carcass quality, and meat quality. Diets promote optimal sheep growth and development and provide sufficient protein can lead to higher-quality meat. However, establishing an optimized production system requires careful consideration and balance of dietary parameters. This includes ensuring adequate protein intake and feeding diets with higher intestinal absorption rates to enhance nutrient absorption in the gut. The study identifies specific genes, such as Callipyge, Calpastatin, and Myostatin, and the presence of causal mutations in these genes, as factors influencing animal growth rates, feed efficiency, and meat fatty acid profiles. Additionally, variants of other reported genes, including PIGY, UCP1, MEF2B, TNNC2, FABP4, SCD, FASN, ADCY8, ME1, CA1, GLIS1, IL1RAPL1, SOX5, SOX6, and IGF1, show potential as markers for sheep selection. A meta-analysis of reported heritability estimates reveals that residual feed intake (0.27 ± 0.07), hot carcass weight (0.26 ± 0.05), dressing percentage (0.23 ± 0.05), and intramuscular fat content (0.45 ± 0.04) are moderately to highly heritable traits. This suggests that these traits are less influenced by environmental factors and could be improved through genetic selection. Additionally, positive genetic correlations exist between body weight and hot carcass weight (0.91 ± 0.06), dressing percentage (0.35 ± 0.15), and shear force (0.27 ± 0.24), indicating that selecting for higher body weight could lead to favorable changes in carcass quality, and meat quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffimol Rose Chacko Kaitholil
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
- Agri‐Food and Biosciences InstituteHillsboroughUK
| | - Mark H. Mooney
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | - Faisal Rezwan
- Department of Computer ScienceAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Masoud Shirali
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
- Agri‐Food and Biosciences InstituteHillsboroughUK
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2
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Lagonikou M, Tsimpouri E, Gelasakis DE, Denezi E, Gelasakis AI. Prediction of carcass traits in fattening Chios and Serres lambs using real-time ultrasonography and live body weight measurements pre-slaughter. Meat Sci 2024; 208:109396. [PMID: 38039633 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the capability of predicting carcass traits and meat cuts weights, in fattening lambs of indigenous Greek dairy sheep breeds, using ultrasound measurements and live body weight measurements pre-slaughter. A total of 187 lambs of Chios and Serres breeds were involved in the study. Body condition score, live body weight (LBW), and ultrasound measurements of Longissimus lumborum muscle depth (LMD) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) at the lumbar region were recorded pre-slaughter. After slaughter, the carcasses were classified using five-degree grading systems for muscle development and fat deposition, while hot (HCW) and cold carcass (CCW) and meat cuts weights were measured. The statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and linear regression models to estimate the fixed effects of sex and the covariances of LBW, BCS, and ultrasound measurements on the studied traits. High R2 values (0.60 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.92) were observed in the models predicting HCW, CCW, forequarter, leg chump on shank off, the short loin, the eye of the short loin, and foreshank weights. Among the models estimated LMD, SFT, and LBW as significant predictors, the ones predicting hot and cold carcass weights, the short loin, the eye of the short loin, and the eye of the rack weights were successfully validated. Other models including BCS, LBW, sex, and either one or none of the ultrasonography measurements as predictors were also validated and presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Lagonikou
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsimpouri
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Athanasios I Gelasakis
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.
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Bedhane M, van der Werf J, de las Heras-Saldana S, Ackerson L, Lim D, Park B, Park MN, Roh S, Clark S. Parameter estimation and assessment of bias in genetic evaluation of carcass traits in Hanwoo cattle using real and simulated data. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2023; 65:1180-1193. [PMID: 38616881 PMCID: PMC11007296 DOI: 10.5187/jast.2023.e36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Most carcass and meat quality traits are moderate to highly heritable, indicating that they can be improved through selection. Genetic evaluation for these types of traits is performed using performance data obtained from commercial and progeny testing evaluation. The performance data from commercial farms are available in large volume, however, some drawbacks have been observed. The drawback of the commercial data is mainly due to sorting of animals based on live weight prior to slaughter, and this could lead to bias in the genetic evaluation of later measured traits such as carcass traits. The current study has two components to address the drawback of the commercial data. The first component of the study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits in Korean Hanwoo cattle using a large sample size of industry-based carcass performance records (n = 469,002). The second component of the study aimed to describe the impact of sorting animals into different contemporary groups based on an early measured trait and then examine the effect on the genetic evaluation of subsequently measured traits. To demonstrate our objectives, we used real performance data to estimate genetic parameters and simulated data was used to assess the bias in genetic evaluation. The results of our first study showed that commercial data obtained from slaughterhouses is a potential source of carcass performance data and useful for genetic evaluation of carcass traits to improve beef cattle performance. However, we observed some harvesting effect which leads to bias in genetic evaluation of carcass traits. This is mainly due to the selection of animal based on their body weight before arrival to slaughterhouse. Overall, the non-random allocation of animals into a contemporary group leads to a biased estimated breeding value in genetic evaluation, the severity of which increases when the evaluation traits are highly correlated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Bedhane
- College of Agriculture & Natural
Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824,
USA
| | - Julius van der Werf
- School of Environmental and Rural Science,
University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - Sara de las Heras-Saldana
- School of Environmental and Rural Science,
University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
- AGBU, University of New
England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Leland Ackerson
- College of Agriculture & Natural
Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824,
USA
| | - Dajeong Lim
- National Institute of Animal Science,
RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Byoungho Park
- National Institute of Animal Science,
RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Mi Na Park
- National Institute of Animal Science,
RDA, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Seunghee Roh
- Hanwoo Genetic Improvement Center,
NAGL, Cheonan 31000, Korea
| | - Samuel Clark
- School of Environmental and Rural Science,
University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
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McHugh N, Pabiou T, McDermott K, Berry DP. Genetic (co)variance components for slaughter traits in a multi-breed sheep population. Animal 2023; 17:100883. [PMID: 37437474 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Carcass value is one of the main contributors to revenue in meat sheep enterprises, while age at slaughter is also a major component to the cost of production. Despite the contribution of such traits to overall profit, little is actually known on the extent of exploitable genetic variability in the traits that govern carcass value (i.e. carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat) and age at slaughter, especially independent of each other. The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic (co)variances for and among carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat, kill-out percentage and age at slaughter as well as their genetic (co)variances with traits measured earlier in life. Data consisted of slaughter records from 15 714 lambs, with 12 630 of these lambs having at least one live weight measure. The heritability (SE) of carcass weight, carcass conformation, carcass fat, kill-out percentage, and age at slaughter was 0.14 (0.02), 0.19 (0.02), 0.08 (0.01), 0.22 (0.03), and 0.16 (0.02), respectively. The maternal heritability for age at slaughter was 0.07 (0.02); no maternal genetic influence was found on any of the other slaughter traits. The coefficient of genetic variation for carcass weight and age at slaughter was 3 and 8%, respectively. The correlations between the direct genetic effects for live weight throughout life, and carcass weight were weak up to weaning but were strong (0.83) thereafter. The correlation between the direct genetic effects of birth weight and age at slaughter was zero, but varied from -0.91 to -0.56 between live weight measured later in life and age at slaughter. Results demonstrate significant exploitable genetic variability in a range of slaughter traits with the prediction of genetic merit for carcass traits and age at slaughter being possible using live weight measures taken on live animals. For example, the accuracy of selection for slaughter traits (comprising of age at slaughter, carcass conformation and carcass fat) from weaning weight records available on 100 progeny was 0.37; when slaughter data were also available for 10 progeny, the accuracy of selection increased to 0.56.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland.
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Link Road, Carrigrohane, Ballincollig, Co. Cork P31 D452, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Link Road, Carrigrohane, Ballincollig, Co. Cork P31 D452, Ireland
| | - D P Berry
- Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Ghanem N, Zayed M, Mohamed I, Mohammady M, Shehata MF. Co-expression of candidate genes regulating growth performance and carcass traits of Barki lambs in Egypt. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:260. [PMID: 35953554 PMCID: PMC9372007 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03263-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Sheep are considered one of the main sources of animal protein in Egypt and the producers of sheep mutton eagers to find biological criteria for selecting fast-growing lambs that reach market weight early. Therefore, the present study aimed to find a link between the expression profile of selected candidate genes with growth performance and carcass traits of Barki lambs. Thirty-eight Barki lambs were kept and fed individually after weaning till 12 months of age and were divided into 3 groups according to growth performance (fast, intermediate, and slow-growing). Three samples were taken from different body tissues (eye muscle, liver, and fat tail) of each group, directly during slaughtering and stored at − 80 °C until RNA isolation. Real-time PCR was used to profile selected candidate genes (RPL7, CTP1, FABP4, ADIPOQ, and CAPN3) and GAPDH was used as a housekeeping gene. The results indicated that the final body weight was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in the fast (49.9 kg) and intermediate (40.7 kg) compared to slow-growing animals (30.8 kg). The hot carcass weight was heavier (P ≤ 0.05) in the fast and intermediate-growing (24.57 and 19.07 kg) than slow-growing lambs (15.10 kg). The blood profiles of T3 and T4 hormones in addition to other parameters such as total protein, total lipids, and calcium level showed no clear variations among different experimental groups. At the molecular level, our data demonstrated upregulation of genes involved in protein biosynthesis (RPL7), fatty acid oxidation (CPT1), and lipolysis (FABP4) in the fast and intermediate-growing lambs in all studied tissues which facilitate protein accretion, energy expenditure, and fatty acid partitioning required for muscle building up. Moreover, the expression profile of the gene involved in muscle development (CAPN3) was increased in fast and intermediate-growing compared to slow-growing lambs in order to support muscle proper development. On the other hand, a candidate gene involved in lipogenesis (ADIPOQ) was expressed similarly in fat and liver tissues; however, its expression was increased in muscles of fast and intermediate-growing lambs compared to slow-growing animals. In conclusion, the current study indicated that the expression profile of genes involved in metabolic activities of liver, muscle, and adipose tissue is linked with the growth performance of lambs although no variations were detected in blood parameters. This provides an evidence for the importance of co-expression of these genes in body tissues to determine the final body weight and carcass characteristics of Barki sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Ghanem
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, El-Gamaa Street, Giza, 12613, Egypt. .,Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University Research Park, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Zayed
- Department of Animal and Poultry Breeding, Animal and Poultry Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ismail Mohamed
- Department of Animal and Poultry Breeding, Animal and Poultry Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mona Mohammady
- Department of Animal and Poultry Breeding, Animal and Poultry Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M F Shehata
- Department of Animal and Poultry Breeding, Animal and Poultry Division, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
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McHugh N, McDermott K, Bohan A, Farrell LJ, Herron J, Pabiou T. Validation of a sheep maternal and terminal breeding objectives using Irish field data. Transl Anim Sci 2022; 6:txac099. [PMID: 36000073 PMCID: PMC9391924 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txac099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic evaluations provide producers with a tool to aid in breeding decisions and highlight the increase in performance achievable at the farm level through genetic gain. Despite this, large-scale validation of sheep breeding objectives using field data is lacking in the scientific literature. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the phenotypic differences for a range of economically important traits for animals divergent in genetic merit for the Irish national maternal and terminal sheep breeding objectives. A dataset of 17,356 crossbred ewes and 54,322 progeny differing in their maternal and terminal breeding index recorded in 139 commercial flocks was available. The association of the maternal index of the ewe or terminal index of the ram and a range of phenotypic performance traits, including lambing, lamb performance, ewe performance, and health traits, were undertaken. Ewes excelling on the maternal index had higher litter sizes and produced progeny with greater perinatal lamb survival, heavier live weights from birth to postweaning and reduced days to slaughter (P < 0.05). Ewe maternal index had no quantifiable impact on lambing ease, carcass conformation, or fat, the health status of the ewe or lamb, ewe barren rate, or ewe live weight. Lambs born to rams of superior terminal index produced heavier lambs from preweaning onwards, with a reduced day to slaughter (P < 0.05). Lambing traits, lamb health, and carcass characteristics of the progeny did not differ between sires stratified as low or high on the terminal index (P > 0.05). Results from this study highlight that selecting either ewes or rams of superior maternal or terminal attributes will result in an improvement on pertinent performance traits of the national sheep flock, resulting in greater flock productivity and profitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- N McHugh
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark , Fermoy, P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - K McDermott
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh , Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - A Bohan
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh , Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - L J Farrell
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Athenry , H65 R718, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - J Herron
- Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark , Fermoy, P61 P302, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - T Pabiou
- Sheep Ireland, Highfield House, Shinagh , Bandon P72 X050, Co. Cork, Ireland
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Vargas Jurado N, Notter DR, Taylor JB, Brown DJ, Mousel MR, Lewis RM. Model definition for genetic evaluation of purebred and crossbred lambs including heterosis. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:skac188. [PMID: 35696612 PMCID: PMC9191838 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Crossbreeding is a common practice among commercial sheep producers to improve animal performance. However, genetic evaluation of U.S. sheep is performed within breed type (terminal sire, semi-prolific, and western range). While incorporating crossbred records may improve assessment of purebreds, it requires accounting for heterotic and breed effects in the evaluation. The objectives of this study were to: 1) describe the development of a paternal composite (PC) line, 2) determine the effect of direct and maternal heterosis on growth traits of crossbred lambs, 3) estimate (co)variance components for direct and maternal additive, and uncorrelated maternal environmental, effects, and 4) provide an interpretation of the estimates of random effects of genetic groups, and to use those solutions to compare the genetic merit of founding breed subpopulations. Data included purebred and crossbred records on birth weight (BN; n = 14,536), pre-weaning weight measured at 39 or 84 d (WN; n = 9,362) depending on year, weaning weight measured at 123 d (WW; n = 9,297), and post-weaning weight measured at 252 d (PW; n = 1,614). Mean (SD) body weights were 5.3 (1.1), 16.8 (3.9) and 28.0 (7.6), 39.1 (7.2), and 54.2 (8.7) kg for BN, WN (at the two ages), WW, and PW, respectively. In designed experiments, the Siremax, Suffolk, Texel, Polypay, Columbia, Rambouillet, and Targhee breeds were compared within the same environment. Estimates of heterotic effects and covariance components were obtained using a multiple trait animal model. Genetic effects based on founders' breeds were significant and included in the model. Percent estimates of direct heterosis were 2.89 ± 0.61, 2.60 ± 0.65, 4.24 ± 0.56, and 6.09 ± 0.86, and estimates of maternal heterosis were 1.92 ± 0.87, 4.64 ± 0.80, 3.95 ± 0.66, and 4.04 ± 0.91, for BN, WN, WW, and PW, respectively. Correspondingly, direct heritability estimates were 0.17 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.02, and 0.46 ± 0.04 for BN, WN, WW, and PW. Additive maternal effects accounted for trivial variation in PW. For BN, WN, and WW, respectively, maternal heritability estimates were 0.16 ± 0.02, 0.10 ± 0.02, and 0.07 ± 0.01. Uncorrelated maternal environmental effects accounted for little variation in any trait. Direct and maternal heterosis had considerable impact on growth traits, emphasizing the value of crossbreeding and the need to account for heterosis, in addition to breed effects, if crossbred lamb information is included in genetic evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David R Notter
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Joshua B Taylor
- USDA, ARS, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID 83423, USA
| | - Daniel J Brown
- Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (A Joint Venture of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England), University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Michelle R Mousel
- USDA, ARS, Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research Unit, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID 83423, USA
| | - Ronald M Lewis
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
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Yilmaz O, Kizilaslan M, Arzik Y, Behrem S, Ata N, Karaca O, Elmaci C, Cemal I. Genome-wide association studies of preweaning growth and in vivo carcass composition traits in Esme sheep. J Anim Breed Genet 2021; 139:26-39. [PMID: 34331347 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Sheep are considered as a major contributor of global food security. Moreover, sheep preweaning growth traits as well as in vivo carcass composition traits such as ultrasonic measurements of Longissimus dorsi muscle depth (UMD) and back-fat thickness (UFD) are crucially important indicators of meat yield and hot carcass composition. Despite their relative importance for productivity and profitability of a sheep production system, detected QTL for these traits are quite scarce. Therefore, we implemented GWAS for these traits using animal mixed model-based association approach provided by GenABEL in Esme sheep. Three genome-wide and 14 individual chromosome-wide associated SNPs were discovered. As a result, ESRP1, LOC105613082, ZNF641, DUSP5, TEAD1, SMOX, PTPRT, RALYL, POM121C, PHIP, LOC101106051, ZIM3, PEG3, TRPC7, FBXL4, LOC105610397, LOC105616489 and DNAAF2 were suggested as candidates. Some of the discovered genes and involved pathways were already annotated to contribute growth and development in various species including human, mice and cattle. All in all, the results of this study are expected to strongly contribute to shed a light on the underlying molecular mechanisms behind growth and carcass composition traits, with potential implications on studies aiming faster genetic improvement, targeted low-resolution SNP panel designs and genome-editing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Yilmaz
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Kizilaslan
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yunus Arzik
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sedat Behrem
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, International Center for Livestock Research and Training, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nezih Ata
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Orhan Karaca
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Cengiz Elmaci
- Animal Science Department, Agriculture Faculty, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Cemal
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
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Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Correlation between Yearling Ultrasound Measurements and Carcass Traits in Hanwoo Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051425. [PMID: 34065714 PMCID: PMC8157053 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Knowledge of genetic parameters is essential to obtain breeding values in order to increase the response to selection and incorporate novel traits in designing a breeding program. There is a growing demand for the genetic improvement of carcass traits in the Korean beef industry. The use of yearling ultrasound measurements as indicator traits can be an efficient way to evaluate carcass traits. To date, the assessment of genetic parameters for ultrasound measurements in Hanwoo cattle is still limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the heritability, and the genetic and phenotypic correlations of yearling ultrasonic and carcass traits in Hanwoo cattle. The results revealed moderate to high heritability estimates for the traits of interest, which indicate a probable increase in the response to selection for these traits. Moreover, high and favorable genetic correlations were observed between carcass traits and their corresponding ultrasound measurements. Our findings suggest that the inclusion of yearling ultrasound data on potential replacements would be suitable as a selection tool for genetic improvement of carcass traits in Hanwoo breeding programs. Abstract Genetic parameters have a significant role in designing a breeding program and are required to evaluate economically important traits. The objective of this study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlation between yearling ultrasound measurements, such as backfat thickness (UBFT), eye muscle area (UEMA), intramuscular fat content (UIMF), and carcass traits, such as backfat thickness (BFT), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), marbling score (MS) at approximately 24 months of age, as well as yearling weight (YW) in Hanwoo bulls (15,796) and steers (5682). The (co) variance components were estimated using a multi-trait animal model. Moderate to high heritability estimates were obtained and were 0.42, 0.50, 0.56, and 0.59 for CW, EMA, BFT, and MS, respectively. Heritability estimates for yearling measurements of YW, UEMA, UBFT, and UIMF were 0.31, 0.32, 0.30, and 0.19, respectively. Favorable and strong genetic correlations were observed between UIMF and MS (0.78), UBFT and BFT (0.63), and UEMA and EMA (0.65). Moreover, the estimated genetic correlation between YW and CW was high (0.84) and relatively moderate between YW and EMA (0.43). These results suggest that genetic improvement can be achieved for carcass traits when using yearling ultrasound measurements as selection criteria in ongoing Hanwoo breeding programs.
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Delgado-Pando G, Allen P, Troy DJ, McDonnell CK. Objective carcass measurement technologies: Latest developments and future trends. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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11
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Massender E, Brito LF, Cánovas A, Baes CF, Kennedy D, Schenkel FS. The value of incorporating carcass trait phenotypes in terminal sire selection indexes to improve carcass weight and quality of heavy lambs. J Anim Breed Genet 2020; 138:91-107. [PMID: 32529716 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic selection for carcass traits is paramount to maximize the profitability and long-term sustainability of any meat-producing livestock species. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate the efficiency of indicator traits for the genetic improvement of lamb carcass traits and to determine the value of including carcass traits into terminal sire selection indexes for the Canadian sheep industry. The carcass traits included hot carcass weight (HCW), fat depth at the GR site (FATGR) and average carcass conformation score (AVGCONF), and were measured on heavy lambs (slaughter age less than 365 days and HCW greater than 16.3 kg) in commercial abattoirs. Growth traits were found to be moderately efficient indicator traits for the genetic improvement of HCW but selection on ultrasound traits was necessary to substantially improve the carcass quality traits (FATGR and AVGCONF). Economic selection indexes were designed by adding various combinations of carcass traits into the Canadian Sheep Genetic Evaluation System terminal indexes. Records measured on individuals and progeny were assumed to be the sources of information for live animal and carcass traits, respectively. The changes in index accuracy, efficiency and expected correlated response were used to assess the value of their inclusion. HCW was found to have a large economic value, and its inclusion into terminal selection indexes was expected to substantially increase their accuracy (0.08-0.12 points) and efficiency (20%-30%). However, further including FATGR (measured 110 mm from the carcass midline over the 12th rib) and AVGCONF had little impact on the accuracy (≤0.03) and efficiency (1%-7%) of the proposed indexes. Thus, the inclusion of carcass traits into the existing terminal selection indexes could be beneficial for the genetic improvement of HCW, but further research is needed to determine optimal methods of increasing carcass fatness and muscularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Massender
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Luiz F Brito
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Angela Cánovas
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Christine F Baes
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Delma Kennedy
- Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Elora, ON, Canada
| | - Flavio S Schenkel
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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