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Cardona-Cifuentes D, Neira JDR, Albuquerque LG, Espigolan R, Gonzalez-Herrera LG, Amorim ST, López-Correa RD, Aguilar I, Baldi F. Influence of variance component estimates on genomic predictions for growth and reproductive-related traits in Nellore cattle. J Anim Breed Genet 2024. [PMID: 39291375 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate variance components (VCs) for growth and reproductive traits in Nellore cattle using two relationship matrices (pedigree relationship A matrix and pedigree plus genomic relationship H matrix), and records collected before and after genomic selection (GS) implementation. The study also evaluated how genomic breeding values (GEBV) are affected by variance components and discarding old records. The analysed traits were weight at 120 days (W120), weight and scrotal circumference at 450 days (W450 and SC450, respectively). Three datasets were used to estimate VCs, including all phenotypic information (All) or records for animals born before or after GS implementation (Before or After datasets, respectively). Both relationship matrices were considered for VC estimation, the A matrix was used in all three datasets and VC from each combination were named as A_Before, A_After, and A_All). The H was used in two datasets: H_All and H_After. Different VCs were used for GEBV prediction through ssGBLUP. This step used two possible Datasets, using all available phenotypic data (Dataset 1) or just records collected since GS implementation (Dataset 2). Validation was conducted using accuracy, bias and dispersion according to the LR method and prediction accuracy from corrected phenotypes. The heritability of all traits increased from A_Before to A_After, while estimates for A_All were intermediary. In the previous order, the estimates were 0.16, 0.17, and 0.15 for W120; 0.31, 0.39, and 0.35 for W450; 0.35, 0.47, and 0.41 for SC. For W450 and SC, using the H matrix reduced the heritability (0.33 and 0.32 for W450; 0.41 and 0.38 for SC for H_After and H_All, respectively). For W120, Dataset1 and VCs from A_After showed the highest accuracy for direct and maternal GEBV (0.953 and 0.868). For W450, Dataset 1 and VC from H_After allowed the highest accuracy (0.854) but use Dataset 2 and same VC source yield similar value (0.846). For SC, Dataset 2 with VC from H_After showed the highest accuracy (0.925). To use Dataset 2 does not cause important changes in bias or dispersion with respect to Dataset 1. The VC and genetic parameters changed for W120, W450, and SC450, using records before or after the GS implementation. For W450 and SC450, genetic variance and heritability estimates increased with the use of GS. For W120, genomic predictions were more accurate using A for VC estimation. Accuracy gains were observed for W450 and SC450 using H in VC estimation and/or discarding records before GS. It is possible to discard phenotypic records before GS implementation without generating bias or dispersion in the GEBV of young candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Cardona-Cifuentes
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrarias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia-UNIAGRARIA, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Lucia G Albuquerque
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrarias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Rafael Espigolan
- Departamento de Zootecnia e Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Palmeira das Missões, RS, Brazil
| | - Luis Gabriel Gonzalez-Herrera
- Grupo de Investigación Biodiversidad y Genética Molecular (BIOGEM), Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Medellín, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Sabrina Thaise Amorim
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | | | - Ignacio Aguilar
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernando Baldi
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrarias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brasilia, Brazil
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Diaz-Miranda EA, Penitente-Filho JM, Gomez-Leon VE, Neto TM, Guimarães SF, Siqueira JB, Guimarães JD. Selection based on the Breeding Soundness Evaluation is associated with the improvement of the reproductive quality of young Nellore bulls. Theriogenology 2024; 226:369-377. [PMID: 38970923 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.06.032] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is the best methodology to estimate the fertility potential of future bulls and performing indirect selection for their fertility. However, the outcome of the BSE is influenced by several factors, including genetics, environment, and BSE guidelines. Herein, in this retrospective study, our first aim was to characterize the reasons for failure in 46,566 BSE from 2-year-old beef Bos indicus bulls (Nellore) born from 1997 to 2018. Our second aim was to determine whether or not BSE was associated with reproductive potential improvement of the bulls over the years. Due to changes in the BSE criteria, we used the same dataset, but only bulls born from 2002 to 2018 were included resulting in 35,856 BSE. For the second aim, the effect of the year and farm were included in the model of the multivariate logistic regression. We also determined if the main reasons for BSE failure decreased over time. Bulls were classified as approved (satisfactory potential breeders and qualified for natural breeding service) and not approved (deferred and unsatisfactory potential breeders). The reasons for BSE failure in Nellore bulls were poor semen quality (53.1 %) and physical defects (46.9 %), with the main physical defect being testis abnormalities (19.7 %). The overall percentage of bulls approved each year was 87.1 %, with no improvement over the years of study. However, the percentage of approved bulls at the first BSE increased over the years (P < 0.05). This increase was evident by a reduction in the difference between the overall percentage of the bulls approved vs the percentage of bulls approved at the first BSE. Furthermore, there was an increase in the percentage of bulls classified as satisfactory potential breeders in the BSE and an evident decrease in the percentage of bulls qualified only for natural breeding service (P < 0.05). In addition, an increase of the scrotal circumference (SC) of the herd was found (P < 0.05). These results indicate the overall quality of the bulls improved over the years. To associate and identify the main sperm abnormalities, 3461 not approved bulls were clustered. The most frequent defects were strongly coiled tail spermatozoa, proximal droplets, and acrosomal defects. Overall, there was no change in the frequency of bulls not approved by the sperm morphology nor the frequency of the main sperm abnormalities over the years. Nevertheless, the frequency of the defects remained very low, implying they were controlled. Additionally, abnormalities in the testis decreased over the years and was associated with the increase in the SC of the herd and a decrease of culled bulls due to low SC. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that there is an association between implementation and use of BSE with improvements in the reproductive quality of future generation bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Andres Diaz-Miranda
- Department of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | | | - Victor E Gomez-Leon
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | | | | | - Jeanne Broch Siqueira
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Federal Dos Vales Do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Marinho de Negreiros MP, Amorim ST, Lôbo RB, Brunes LC, Magnabosco CU, Bergmann JAG, Espigolan R, Cravo Pereira AS, Baldi F. Genetic correlation estimates between calving ease in primiparous cows and economically important traits in Nellore cattle. J Anim Breed Genet 2024; 141:473-484. [PMID: 38334211 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12851] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters for calving ease (CE) and their genetic correlations with growth, reproductive, carcass, and feed efficiency traits in Nellore cattle. Phenotypes for CE are scored in two categories: normal calving and assisted calving. The traits considered were probability of precocious calving, age at first calving, stayability, adjusted scrotal circumference at 365 days of age, accumulated cow productivity, age at puberty of males, gestation length, birth weight, adjusted weights at 210 and 450 days of age, adult cow weight, frame score, hip height, rib eye area, subcutaneous backfat thickness, rump fat thickness, intramuscular fat percentage, residual feed intake and dry matter intake. The estimation of genetic parameters was performed using a two-trait threshold-linear animal model, except for CE, stayability, and probability of precocious calving, which were evaluated through a two-trait threshold animal model. The direct (0.27) and maternal (0.19) heritability estimates for CE in heifers primiparous Nellore indicated that selecting for this trait is feasible. The selection to improve the female sexual precocity should consider CE during the selection and mating decisions to reduce calving problems. Genetic correlation estimates between CE and BW suggest that selecting low birth weight to reduce calving problems is not an appropriate strategy to improve calving ease in heifers Nellore. Therefore, adopting a multi-trait selection model with CE and BW in the Nellore breed would reduce calving difficulties, particularly in sexually precocious heifers, without impairing the growth, reproductive, feed efficiency conversion, and carcass indicator traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - José Aurélio Garcia Bergmann
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Rafael Espigolan
- Departamento de Zootecnia e Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Palmeira das Missões, Brasil
| | - Angelica Simone Cravo Pereira
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Nutrição e Produção Animal, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, Brasil
| | - Fernando Baldi
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brasil
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Da Silva LG, Da Silva LG, Ferreira LCL, Mascarello J, Moraes JGN, Lucy MC, Nogueira É. Factors influencing pregnancy per artificial insemination (AI) and embryonic mortality in Nelore females subjected to timed-AI in Brazil. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 265:107475. [PMID: 38663149 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107475] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
A greater understanding of factors influencing fertility is essential to improve pregnancy rates and reduce the occurrence of embryonic mortality in beef herds. The objective of the current study was to evaluate retrospective data of pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and pregnancy loss in Nelore females subjected to timed-AI (TAI) in Brazil. Data from 40,104 TAI collected from six breeding seasons (2016-2022) were analyzed, and the effects of animal category (e.g., classification based on age and parity), farm, month of parturition, sire, sire breed (Nelore vs Angus), estrus expression at TAI, animal temperament, and body condition scores (BCS) were evaluated. P/AI and pregnancy loss were affected (P < 0.001) by animal category. There was also an effect of farm (P = 0.0013) on P/AI and pregnancy loss (P = 0.001), as P/AI ranged from 49.28% and 55.58% and pregnancy loss from 3.37% to 6.89% across the herds evaluated. Month of parturition also affected (P < 0.001) P/AI and was higher for cows that became pregnant at the beginning of the previous breeding season. Calmer animals, presenting lower velocity scores while exiting the chute following TAI, achieved higher P/AI (P < 0.001). Lower BCS at TAI was associated (P < 0.001) with increased pregnancy loss, and BCS gain following AI was associated (P < 0.001) with reduced rates of embryonic mortality. There was a major effect (P < 0.001) of sire on P/AI and pregnancy loss, as P/AI ranged from 11% to 79%, and embryonic mortality from 0% to 40% for the bulls used in the study, highlighting the importance of the sire fertility on overall pregnancy success. Results from the current study reinforce the idea that animal age and parity at the beginning of the breeding season, BCS at the onset of estrous synchronization, BCS gain following AI, estrus expression at TAI, sire, and month of parturition are important factors influencing P/AI and rates of embryonic mortality in beef herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Gomes Da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Post Graduation Program of Veterinary Medicine- CIVET-UFMS, Campo Grandes, Brazil
| | - Luana Gomes Da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Post-Graduation Program of Animal Science, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil; Cia Pecuaria Assessoria, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Julia Mascarello
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Post Graduation Program of Veterinary Medicine- CIVET-UFMS, Campo Grandes, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ériklis Nogueira
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation- EMBRAPA Beef Cattle, Av. Rádio Maia, 830, Campo Grande - MS, 79106-550, Brazil; Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Post Graduation Program of Veterinary Medicine- CIVET-UFMS, Campo Grandes, Brazil.
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5
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Pei S, Wang Z, Liu Y, Xu Y, Bai J, Li W, Li F, Yue X. Transcriptomic analysis of the HPG axis-related tissues reveals potential candidate genes and regulatory pathways associated with testicular size in Hu sheep. Theriogenology 2024; 216:168-176. [PMID: 38185016 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.002] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Testicular size is an excellent proxy for selecting high-fertility rams. The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis plays an important role in regulating reproductive capacity in vertebrates, while key genes and regulatory pathways within the HPG axis associated with testicular size remain largely unknown in sheep. This study comprehensively compared the transcriptomic profiles in the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis of rams after sexual maturity between the large-testis group (LTG, testicular weight = 454.29 ± 54.24 g) and the small-testis group (STG, testicular weight = 77.29 ± 10.76 g). In total, 914, 795 and 10518 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis between LTG and STG, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that these DEGs were mainly involved in the biological processes of reproduction, biological regulation, and development process. Notably, the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and cAMP signaling pathways, commonly enriched by the DEGs in the hypothalamus and pituitary between two groups, were considered as two key signal pathways regulating testicular development through the HPGs axis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified two modules that were significantly associated with testicular size, and 97 key genes were selected with high module membership (MM) and gene significance (GS) in these two modules. Finally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and ten genes with the highest degree were represented as hub genes, including FOS, NPY, SST, F2, AGT, NTS, OXT, EDN1, VIP and TAC1. Taken together, these results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the HPG axis regulating testicular size of Hu sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwei Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Zhongyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Yangkai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Yanli Xu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry Quality Standards, Xinjiang Academy of Animal Science, Urumqi, 830057, China
| | - Jingjing Bai
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Extension Station of Wuwei City, Wuwei, 733000, China
| | - Wanhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Fadi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China
| | - Xiangpeng Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, China.
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6
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Wang X, Yang J, Xue J, Zhang M, Zhang F, Wang K, Li Y, Zhang Y, Wu X, Wang F, Zhao X, Ni J, Ma Y, Li R, Wang L, Su G, Gao Y, Li J. Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls. Vet Med Int 2024; 2024:5593703. [PMID: 38318262 PMCID: PMC10843862 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5593703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The elite bull plays an extremely important role in the genetic progression of the dairy cow population. The previous results indicated the potential positive relationship of large scrotal circumference (SC) with improved semen volume, concentration, and motility. In order to improve bull's semen quantity and quality by selection, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of semen traits and their correlations with other conformation traits such as SC that could be used for an indirect selection. In this study, the genetic parameters of seven semen traits (n = 66,260) and nine conformation traits (n = 3,642) of Holstein bulls (n = 453) were estimated by using the bivariate repeatability animal model with the average information-restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML) approach. The results showed that the estimated heritabilities of semen traits ranged from 0.06 (total number of motile sperm, TNMS) to 0.37 (percentage of abnormal sperm, PAS) and conformation traits ranged from 0.23 (pin width, PW) to 0.69 (hip height, HH). The highest genetic correlations were found between semen volume per ejaculation (SVPE), semen concentration per ejaculation (SCPE), total number of sperm (TNS), and TNMS traits that were 0.97, 0.98, 1.00, and 0.99, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between SC and SVPE, SCPE, TNS, and TNMS were 0.35, 0.35, 0.48, and 0.42, respectively. In summary, the moderate or high heritability of semen traits indicates that genetic improvement of semen quality by selection is feasible, where SC could be a useful trait for indirect selection or as correlated information to improve semen quantity and production in the practical bull breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Jie Xue
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yanqin Li
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yuanpei Zhang
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xiaoping Wu
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xiuxin Zhao
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Junqing Ni
- Fine Breed Centre of Animal Husbandry of HeBei, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
| | - Yabin Ma
- Fine Breed Centre of Animal Husbandry of HeBei, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
| | - Rongling Li
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Guosheng Su
- Shandong OX Livestock Breeding Co., Ltd., Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yundong Gao
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Jianbin Li
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
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Cesarani A, Corte Pause F, Hidalgo J, Garcia A, Degano L, Vicario D, Macciota NPP, Stradaioli G. Genetic background of semen parameters in Italian Simmental bulls. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2022.2160665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cesarani
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Francesca Corte Pause
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Jorge Hidalgo
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Andre Garcia
- Angus Genetics Inc. - American Angus Association, Saint Joseph, MO, USA
| | - Lorenzo Degano
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Pezzata Rossa Italiana (ANAPRI), Udine, Italy
| | - Daniele Vicario
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Pezzata Rossa Italiana (ANAPRI), Udine, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Stradaioli
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Moraes MMD, Gouveia GC, Ribeiro VMP, Araújo AEMD, Toral FLB, Cardoso EP. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for sexual precocity and parasite resistance traits in Nellore cattle. J Appl Genet 2023; 64:797-807. [PMID: 37682511 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00781-9] [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: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Indicator traits of sexual precocity are widely used as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of beef cattle; however, the impact of selection for these traits on resistance to endoparasites and ectoparasites is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters for indicator traits of sexual precocity and parasite resistance in Nellore cattle. The sexual precocity traits evaluated were probability of first calving (PFC) and scrotal circumference at 12 and 18 months of age (SC12 and SC18). The resistance-related traits included tick (TC), gastrointestinal nematode egg (NEC), and Eimeria spp. oocyst (EOC) counts. (Co)variance components were estimated by Bayesian inference using multitrait animal models. The mean heritabilities for PFC, SC12, SC18, TC, NEC, and EOC were 0.23, 0.38, 0.42, 0.14, 0.16, and 0.06, respectively, and suggest that selection will change the mean values of these traits over time. The genetic and phenotypic correlations for most pairs formed by a precocity and a resistance trait were not different from zero, suggesting that selection for sexual precocity traits will not result in changes in resistance traits. Thus, selection for indicator traits of sexual precocity does not elicit unfavorable correlated responses in resistance to endoparasites and ectoparasites, and joint selection aimed at improving these traits can be performed using multitrait selection methods, when necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Mamedes de Moraes
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela Canabrava Gouveia
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Andresa Eva Melo de Araújo
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Fabio Luiz Buranelo Toral
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Pagoto JM, Benfica LF, Borges MS, Ligori VA, Canesin RC, Mercadante MEZ, Monteiro FM. Relationship between age, scrotal circumference, postweaning weight and semen quality in Nellore and Caracu bulls: a cross sectional study. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:397. [PMID: 37934323 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03818-7] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between age, scrotal circumference, postweaning weight and semen quality in Nellore and Caracu bulls selected for postweaning weight. Data from the andrological evaluation of 836 bulls born between 2000 and 2019, including 583 Nellore animals (Bos indicus) and 253 Caracu animals (Bos taurus), were used. The bulls were divided into categories of age at the time of assessment: category 1 consisted of animals aged 20 to 23 months (22 ± 0.76 months, 518 ± 94.17 kg), category 2 consisted of animals aged 24 to 35 months (30 ± 4.42 months, 679 ± 137.19 kg), and category 3 consisted of animals ≥ 36 months (60 ± 14.12 months, 907 ± 161.73 kg). The statistical model included the effects of breed, age category, date of semen collection, and breed x age category interaction. Heritability estimates for scrotal circumference at 13 months of age (SC1year) and semen quality traits were obtained for the sample of Nellore animals. Most semen quality traits improved with increasing age in both Nellore and Caracu animals. High heritability was observed for SC1year (0.45), while sperm motility, vigor, turbulence, and major, minor and total sperm defects exhibited low heritability (0.11, 0.019, 0.047, 0.017, 0.017 and 0.019, respectively). Spearman correlations of breeding values for postweaning weight (W378) and SC1year with the semen quality traits were low. Nellore and Caracu bulls have similar semen quality that improves with increasing age. In the Nellore breed, the heritability of SC is high, while semen quality traits exhibit low heritability. Selection for higher postweaning weight does not phenotypically affect the semen quality of bulls at breeding age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaine Martelo Pagoto
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Lorena Ferreira Benfica
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Sant'Ana Borges
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Viviane Andrade Ligori
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberta Carrilho Canesin
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, São Paulo, CEP: 14160-970, Brazil
| | - Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, São Paulo, CEP: 14160-970, Brazil
| | - Fabio Morato Monteiro
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, São Paulo, CEP: 14160-970, Brazil.
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Kumar D, Mehta JS, Jerome A, Kumar P, Kumar D, Shivani B, Patil CS, Bala R, Verma N, Nain S, Sharma RK, Singh P. Genetic analysis for semen quality traits in buffalo bulls. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:313. [PMID: 37735295 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03756-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
This study was attempted to estimate the genetic parameters of semen quality traits in buffalo bulls. The study data consisted of 10975 ejaculates from 45 Murrah buffalo bulls (aged 24-72 months) used for breeding program during year 2010 to 2020. Semen quality traits (ejaculate volume, concentration of sperm, mass activity, initial and post-thaw motility, number of sperms per ejaculate, motile sperm number and discard rates) were studied. It was observed that average ejaculate volume was 2.82 ± 1.45 mL with mean concentration of 1040.12 ± 523.26 million/mL. Higher heritability was observed for number of sperms per ejaculate, number of motile sperm and sperm concentration. Significant phenotypic correlation was obtained between volume and number of sperms per ejaculate as well as volume and number of motile sperms. Likewise, significant phenotypic correlation was evident between sperm concentration with sperm number per ejaculate. Highest phenotypic correlation was obtained between sperm count per ejaculate and motile sperm count. Estimated genetic trends showed significant change in volume and motile sperm number. In conclusion, this study ascertains that genetic parameters of semen traits can be considered during the selection of buffalo bulls in breeding program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devender Kumar
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
- College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - J S Mehta
- College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - A Jerome
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India.
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - D Kumar
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - B Shivani
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - C S Patil
- Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Renu Bala
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Nisha Verma
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Satish Nain
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
- College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
| | - R K Sharma
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research On Buffaloes, Hisar, Haryana, India
| | - Pawan Singh
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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11
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Carvalho FE, Ferraz JBS, Pedrosa VB, Matos EC, Eler JP, Silva MR, Guimarães JD, Bussiman FO, Silva BCA, Cançado FA, Mulim HA, Espigolan R, Brito LF. Genetic parameters for various semen production and quality traits and indicators of male and female reproductive performance in Nellore cattle. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:150. [PMID: 36973650 PMCID: PMC10044441 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the economic relevance of fertility and reproductive traits for the beef cattle industry, investigating their genetic background and developing effective breeding strategies are paramount. Considering their late and sex-dependent phenotypic expression, genomic information can contribute to speed up the rates of genetic progress per year. In this context, the main objectives of this study were to estimate variance components and genetic parameters, including heritability and genetic correlations, for fertility, female precocity, and semen production and quality (andrological attributes) traits in Nellore cattle incorporating genomic information. RESULTS The heritability estimates of semen quality traits were low-to-moderate, while moderate-to-high estimates were observed for semen morphological traits. The heritability of semen defects ranged from low (0.04 for minor semen defects) to moderate (0.30 for total semen defects). For seminal aspect (SMN_ASPC) and bull reproductive fitness (BULL_FIT), low (0.19) and high (0.69) heritabilities were observed, respectively. The heritability estimates for female reproductive traits ranged from 0.16 to 0.39 for rebreeding of precocious females (REBA) and probability of pregnancy at 14 months (PP14), respectively. Semen quality traits were highly genetically correlated among themselves. Moderate-to-high genetic correlations were observed between the ability to remain productive in the herd until four years of age (stayability; STAY) and the other reproductive traits, indicating that selection for female reproductive performance will indirectly contribute to increasing fertility rates. High genetic correlations between BULL_FIT and female reproductive traits related to precocity (REBA and PP14) and STAY were observed. The genetic correlations between semen quality and spermatic morphology with female reproductive traits ranged from -0.22 (REBA and scrotal circumference) to 0.48 (REBA and sperm vigor). In addition, the genetic correlations between REBA with semen quality traits ranged from -0.23 to 0.48, and with the spermatic morphology traits it ranged from -0.22 to 0.19. CONCLUSIONS All male and female fertility and reproduction traits evaluated are heritable and can be improved through direct genetic or genomic selection. Selection for better sperm quality will positively influence the fertility and precocity of Nellore females. The findings of this study will serve as background information for designing breeding programs for genetically improving semen production and quality and reproductive performance in Nellore cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe E Carvalho
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, 270 S. Russell Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - José Bento S Ferraz
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor B Pedrosa
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, 270 S. Russell Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Elisangela C Matos
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Joanir P Eler
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcio R Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - José D Guimarães
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Vicosa, Vicosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernando O Bussiman
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Barbara C A Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando A Cançado
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Henrique A Mulim
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, 270 S. Russell Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Rafael Espigolan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz F Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, 270 S. Russell Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
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Souza FM, Lopes FB, Rosa GJ, Fernandes RDS, Magnabosco VS, Magnabosco CU. Genetic selection of Nellore cattle raised in tropical areas: Economic indexes and breeding decisions risks. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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13
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Different prenatal supplementation strategies and its impacts on reproductive and nutrigenetics assessments of bulls in finishing phase. Vet Res Commun 2022; 47:457-471. [PMID: 35750996 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-09963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of different prenatal nutrition approaches in 126 pregnant Nellore cows on reproductive and nutrigenetic traits of the male offspring during the finishing phase. For that purpose, three nutritional treatments were used in these cows during pregnancy: PP - protein-energy supplementation in the final third, FP - protein-energy supplementation during the entire pregnancy, and NP - (control) only mineral supplementation. The male progeny (63 bulls; 665 ± 28 days of age) were evaluated for scrotal circumference, seminal traits, number of Sertoli cells and testicular area. We performed a genomic association (700 K SNPs) for scrotal circumference at this age. In addition, a functional enrichment was performed in search of significant metabolic pathways (P < 0.05) with inclusion of genes that are expressed in these genomic windows by the MetaCore software. With the exception of major sperm defects (P < 0.1), the other phenotypes showed no difference between prenatal treatments. We found genes and metabolic pathways (P < 0.05) that are associated with genomic windows (genetic variance explained >1%) in different treatments. These molecular findings indicate that there is genotype-environment interaction among the different prenatal treatments and that the FP treatment showed greater major sperm defects compared to the NP treatment.
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Carrara ER, Peixoto MGCD, Veroneze R, Silva FFE, Ramos PVB, Bruneli FAT, Zadra LEF, Ventura HT, Josahkian LA, Lopes PS. Genetic study of quantitative traits supports the use of Guzerá as dual-purpose cattle. Anim Biosci 2022; 35:955-963. [PMID: 34991209 PMCID: PMC9271375 DOI: 10.5713/ab.21.0458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 305-day cumulative milk yield and components, growth, and reproductive traits in Guzerá cattle. Methods The evaluated traits were 305-day first-lactation cumulative yields (kg) of milk (MY305), fat (FY305), protein (PY305), lactose (LY305), and total solids (SY305); age at first calving (AFC) in days; adjusted scrotal perimeter (cm) at the ages of 365 (SP365) and 450 (SP450) days; and adjusted body weight (kg) at the ages of 210 (W210), 365 (W365), and 450 (W450) days. The (co)variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method for single-trait, bi-trait and tri-trait analyses. Contemporary groups and additive genetic effects were included in the general mixed model. Maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects were also included for W210. Results The direct heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 (W210) to 0.32 (MY305). The maternal heritability estimate for W210 was 0.03. Genetic correlation estimates among milk production traits and growth traits ranged from 0.92 to 0.99 and from 0.92 to 0.99, respectively. For milk production and growth traits, the genetic correlations ranged from 0.33 to 0.56. The genetic correlations among AFC and all other traits were negative (−0.43 to −0.27). Scrotal perimeter traits and body weights showed genetic correlations ranging from 0.41 to 0.46, and scrotal perimeter and milk production traits showed genetic correlations ranging from 0.11 to 0.30. The phenotypic correlations were similar in direction (same sign) and lower than the corresponding genetic correlations. Conclusion These results suggest the viability and potential of joint selection for dairy and beef traits in Guzerá cattle, taking into account reproductive traits.
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Oliveira TVVB, Silva HT, Filho IC, Ramos PVB, Santana TEZ, Guimarães JD, Guimarães SEF, Lopes PS, Fonseca e Silva F, Veroneze R. Alternative bayesian models for genetic evaluation of biometrical, physical, and morphological reproductive traits in nelore bulls. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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