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Shen Z, Lu Y, Bai Y, Li J, Wang H, Kou D, Li Z, Ma Q, Hu J, Bai L, Li L, Wang J, Liu H. Transcriptome-metabolome reveals the molecular changes in meat production and quality in the hybrid populations of Sichuan white goose. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103931. [PMID: 38972281 PMCID: PMC11263958 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103931] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hybrid breeding has proven to enhance meat quality and is extensively utilized in goose breeding. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research investigating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the meat quality of hybrid geese. In this study, we employed the Sichuan White Goose as the maternal line for hybridization with the Zhedong White Goose and Tianfu Meat Goose P3 line. We assessed the growth and slaughter meat quality performance of 10-wk-old hybrid offspring in comparison to Sichuan white goose purebred offspring. The results indicate that hybrid geese have significantly improved performance in growth and slaughter meat quality. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the chest muscles of hybrid offspring through transcriptomics and metabolomics to unravel the effects of hybrid breeding on growth and meat quality. A total of 673 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and 93 differentially expressed metabolites were identified. The joint analysis highlighted the significant enrichment of DEGs AMPD1, AMPD3, RRM2, ENTPD3, and the metabolite UMP in the nucleotide metabolism pathway. These findings underscore the crucial role of these genetic and metabolic factors in regulating muscle growth and meat quality in hybrid populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyang Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Yinjuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Yuan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Junpeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Huazhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Daqin Kou
- Livestock and Aquaculture Industry Development Service Center, Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Nanxi District Yibin City, Sichuan Province 644105, PR China
| | - Zhongbin Li
- Livestock and Aquaculture Industry Development Service Center, Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Nanxi District Yibin City, Sichuan Province 644105, PR China
| | - Qian Ma
- Livestock and Aquaculture Industry Development Service Center, Agricultural and Rural Bureau of Nanxi District Yibin City, Sichuan Province 644105, PR China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Lili Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Liang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Jiwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China
| | - Hehe Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China; Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, PR China.
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2
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Weng H, Zeng H, Wang H, Chang H, Zhai Y, Li S, Han Z. Differences in Lactation Performance, Rumen Microbiome, and Metabolome between Montbéliarde × Holstein and Holstein Cows under Heat Stress. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1729. [PMID: 39203571 PMCID: PMC11357101 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12081729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 08/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat stress negatively affects lactation performance and rumen microbiota of dairy cows, with different breeds showing varying levels of heat tolerance. This study aimed to compare the lactation performance of Montbéliarde × Holstein (MH, n = 13) and Holstein (H, n = 13) cows under heat stress, and 16S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to determine the rumen microbiome and metabolome in experimental cows. The results indicated that during heat stress, milk yield (p = 0.101), milk fat yield, milk protein yield, milk protein, and milk lactose (p < 0.05) in Montbéliarde × Holstein cows were higher than those in Holstein cows, whereas milk yield variation and somatic cell counts (p < 0.05) were lower than those in Holstein cows. The sequencing results indicated that the rumen of Montbéliarde × Holstein cows was significantly enriched with beneficial bacteria, such as Rikenellaceae, Allobaculum, and YRC22 (p < 0.05). In addition, correlations were observed between specific ruminal bacteria and lactation performance. Ruminal metabolites related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Montbéliarde × Holstein cows than in Holstein cows. Overall, Montbéliarde × Holstein cows showed higher production efficiency under heat stress, which may be related to the different rumen mechanisms of crossbred and Holstein cows in adapting to heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhaoyu Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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3
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Gallo L, Berton M, Piazza M, Sturaro E, Schiavon S, Bittante G. Environmental impact of Holstein Friesian and 3-breed crossbred dairy cows using a life cycle assessment approach applied to individual animals. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:4670-4684. [PMID: 38369114 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24106] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to set up a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach at the level of individual animals to assess the effects of a 3-breed crossbreeding program on the environmental impact of cows. The study involved 564 cows, 279 purebred Holstein Friesian (HO) and 285 crossbred cows (CR), that originated from a 3-breed crossbreeding program based on the rotational use of Viking Red, Montebèliarde, and HO sires and kept in 2 dairy herds of northern Italy (224 and 340 cows/herd, respectively). The reference unit of the LCA model was the lifetime of cows, from the birth to culling or death. Data were collected at different levels: individual animal-based data referred to the whole life (birth, calving, dry, cull or death dates, and milk production); individual test-date collection of body measures and BCS, used to predict BW and to estimate energy requirements; common farm-based data concerning herd management (diets composition, and materials used). Data were used to compute DMI, milk and milk components production, gross income (GI), and income over feed costs (IOFC) pertaining to the lifespan of cows. An individual LCA-derived approach was set up to compute global warming potential (GWP), acidification and eutrophication potential (AP and EP, respectively), and land occupation (LO), which have been associated with different functional units (cow in her whole life or per day of life; kilograms of milk fat plus protein, and GI and IOFC [in euros] produced in the herd life). Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model including the fixed effects of genetic group (CR vs. HO), farm, and their interaction (genetic group × farm). Compared with HO, CR cows completed more lactations (+12%), had earlier first calving (-2 wk), yielded more fat plus protein in milk both in the lifespan (+8%) and per day of life (+4%). Concerning the environmental impact, when compared with HO herd mates, CR cows had nominal greater emissions per cow in the whole life, similar emissions per day of life and ∼3% lower GWP, AP, and EP per kilogram of fat plus protein yielded in lifespan. Income over feed costs per unit of emission tended to be ∼4% greater in CR compared with HO cows. Also, the use of land tended to be lower in CR compared with HO in most indicators considered. In conclusion, LCA could be adapted to represent individual animals. Moreover, managing dairy cows according to a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding scheme may be regarded as a strategy that can contribute to mitigate the emissions and to improve the environmental impact of dairy operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gallo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - M Berton
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - M Piazza
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - E Sturaro
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - S Schiavon
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - G Bittante
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
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Espinola Alfonso RE, Fikse WF, Calus MPL, Strandberg E. How does a beef × dairy calving affect the dairy cow's following lactation? J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:4693-4703. [PMID: 38310967 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24170] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
For beef semen usage on dairy cows, much of the research has focused on the performance of the crossbred calves, yet little focus has been given to the subsequent performance of the cow herself. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of dairy cows for milk yield, fertility, and survival traits after giving birth to beef × dairy crossbred calves and compare this with the performance after giving birth to purebred dairy calves. Further, we aimed to study if the effect of a difficult calving was the same regardless of whether the calf was purebred dairy or beef × dairy crossbred. Phenotypic records from 587,288 calving events from 1997 to 2020 were collected from the Swedish milk recording system from cows of the dairy breeds Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein. The sire beef breeds studied were Aberdeen Angus, Hereford (combined in category LHT), Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental (category HVY). Sixteen traits were defined and grouped in 3 categories: cumulative and 305-d milk, fat, and protein yield, daily milk yield, and 75-d milk yield as yield traits; calving to first insemination interval, calving to last insemination interval, first to last insemination interval, calving interval, and number of inseminations as fertility traits; and survival to 75 d or to next calving and lactation length as measures of survival. The data were analyzed for all traits for first and second parities separately using mixed linear models, with a focus on the estimates of cow breed by service sire breed combinations. All traits in parity 2 were adjusted for previous 305-d milk yield based on the expectation that low-yielding cows would more likely to be inseminated with beef semen. Overall, milk yield was lower after beef × dairy calvings compared with the purebred dairy calvings. The largest effects were found on cumulative yields and in second parity, with lower effects for yields early in lactation and yields in first parity. The largest decrease was 13 to 14 kg (0.12 phenotypic SD) for cumulative fat yield when breeding beef breed sires with purebred SR dams. For fertility traits, for most breed combinations, the effects were not large enough to be significant. Conversely, all beef × dairy crossbred combinations showed significantly lower results for survival to the next lactation, and mostly also for lactation length. There was some indication that dairy cows with beef × dairy calvings in parity 2 that were the result of maximum 2 inseminations in parity 1, had lower survival than corresponding calvings resulting from more than 2 inseminations. This could indicate that the former cows were marked for culling already when inseminated. There was generally an unfavorable effect of a difficult calving on all traits, however, there were almost no significant interactions between calving performance and dam by sire breed combination, and these interactions were never significant in first parity.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Espinola Alfonso
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; Wageningen University Research, Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | | | - M P L Calus
- Wageningen University Research, Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - E Strandberg
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Johansen K, Vestergaard M, Spleth P, Hein L, Nielsen HM, Kargo M. Growth and feed efficiency of Nordic Red Dairy Cattle, Holstein, and their F 1 crossbreeds when limiting feed energy concentration in prepubertal heifers. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)00952-4. [PMID: 38908702 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24904] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Milk production and overall dairy farm economics depend on rearing dairy heifers. This study investigated the presence of a genotype by environment interaction in Holstein (HOL), Nordic Red Dairy Cattle (RDC), and their F1 crossbreeds (HOLxRDC) when provided different feed rations. The aim of our study was to assess how different energy concentrations in feed rations affect growth, body condition scores, feed intake, and feed efficiency in the 3 groups during the prepubertal period. The 3 breed groups were randomly allocated to receive either a standard or a low energy feed ration. HOL heifers exhibited reduced growth and a lower body condition score when they were fed the low energy feed ration. In contrast, the RDC heifers demonstrated similar growth rates with the different feed rations and maintained similar body condition scores irrespective of feed energy concentration. HOLxRDC crossbred heifers performed as an intermediate between the HOL and RDC groups. There were significant differences in dry matter intake and energy intake in the HOL and HOLxRDC groups depending on feed ration treatment. The RDC heifers had similar feed intake irrespective of treatment. There were no significant differences in the feed conversion ratio between breeds and feed treatments. These results indicate the presence of a genotype by environment interaction in prepubertal HOL and RDC heifers in response to differences in feed ration treatment. Due to the influence of prepubertal growth on future milk production, reproduction, and health status, it is important to be aware of breed-specific requirements during the prepubertal period, particularly in mixed-breed and crossbred groups, to optimize growth rates and production potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Johansen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F. M⊘llers Alle 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - M Vestergaard
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Blichers Alle 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - P Spleth
- SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - L Hein
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F. M⊘llers Alle 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - H M Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F. M⊘llers Alle 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - M Kargo
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C.F. M⊘llers Alle 3, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Fabbri MC, Lozada-Soto E, Tiezzi F, Čandek-Potokar M, Bovo S, Schiavo G, Fontanesi L, Muñoz M, Ovilo C, Bozzi R. Persistence of autozygosity in crossbreds between autochthonous and cosmopolitan breeds of swine: a simulation study. Animal 2024; 18:101070. [PMID: 38401921 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.101070] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Crossbreeding might be a valid strategy to valorize local pig breeds. Crossbreeding should reduce homozygosity and, as a consequence, yield hybrid vigor for fitness and production traits. This study aimed to quantify the persistence of autozygosity in terminal crossbred pigs compared with purebreds and, in turn, identify genomic regions where autozygosity's persistence would not be found. The study was based on genotyping data from 20 European local pig breeds and three cosmopolitan pig breeds used to simulate crossbred offspring. This study consisted of two steps. First, one hundred matings were simulated for each pairwise combination of the 23 considered breeds (for a total of 276 combinations), ignoring the sex of the parent individuals in order to generate purebred and crossbred matings leveraging all the germplasm available. Second, a few preselected terminal-maternal breed pairs were used to mimic a realistic terminal crossbreeding system: (i) Mora Romagnola (boars) or Cinta Senese (boars) crossed with Large White (sows) or Landrace (sows); (ii) Duroc (boars) crossed with Mora Romagnola (sows) or Cinta Senese (sows). Runs of homozygosity was used to estimate genome-wide autozygosity (FROH). Observed FROH was higher in purebreds than in crossbreds, although some crossbred combinations showed higher FROH than other purebred combinations. Among the purebreds, the highest FROH values were observed in Mora Romagnola and Turopolje (0.50 and 0.46, respectively). FROH ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 in the crossbreds Alentejana × Large White and Alentejana × Iberian, respectively. Persistence of autozygosity was found in several genomic segments harboring regions where quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were found in the literature. The regions were enriched in QTLs involved in fatty acid metabolism and associated with performance traits. This simulation shows that autozygosity persists in most breed combinations of terminal crosses. Results suggest that a strategy for crossbreeding is implemented when leveraging autochthonous and cosmopolitan breeds to obtain most of the hybrid vigor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Fabbri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Emmanuel Lozada-Soto
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Francesco Tiezzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Samuele Bovo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Schiavo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Fontanesi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Muñoz
- Departamento Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Crta. de la Coruña, km. 7,5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Ovilo
- Departamento Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Crta. de la Coruña, km. 7,5, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Riccardo Bozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
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Déru V, Tiezzi F, VanRaden PM, Lozada-Soto EA, Toghiani S, Maltecca C. Imputation accuracy from low- to medium-density SNP chips for US crossbred dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:398-411. [PMID: 37641298 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23250] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the quality of imputation accuracy (IA) by marker (IAm) and by individual (IAi) in US crossbred dairy cattle. Holstein × Jersey crossbreds were used to evaluate IA from a low- (7K) to a medium-density (50K) SNP chip. Crossbred animals, as well as their sires (53), dams (77), and maternal grandsires (63), were all genotyped with a 78K SNP chip. Seven different scenarios of reference populations were tested, in which some scenarios used different family relationships and others added random unrelated purebred and crossbred individuals to those different family relationship scenarios. The same scenarios were tested on Holstein and Jersey purebred animals to compare these outcomes against those attained in crossbred animals. The genotype imputation was performed with findhap (version 4) software (VanRaden, 2015). There were no significant differences in IA results depending on whether the sire of imputed individuals was Holstein and the dam was Jersey, or vice versa. The IA increased significantly with the addition of related individuals in the reference population, from 86.70 ± 0.06% when only sires or dams were included in the reference population to 90.09 ± 0.06% when sire (S), dam (D), and maternal grandsire genomic data were combined in the reference population. In all scenarios including related individuals in the reference population, IAm and IAi were significantly superior in purebred Jersey and Holstein animals than in crossbreds, ranging from 90.75 ± 0.06 to 94.02 ± 0.06%, and from 90.88 ± 0.11 to 94.04 ± 0.10%, respectively. Additionally, a scenario called SPB+DLD(where PB indicates purebread and LD indicates low density), similar to the genomic evaluations performed on US crossbred dairy, was tested. In this scenario, the information from the 5 evaluated breeds (Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey) genotyped with a 50K SNP chip and genomic information from the dams genotyped with a 7K SNP chip were combined in the reference population, and the IAm and IAi were 80.87 ± 0.06% and 80.85 ± 0.08%, respectively. Adding randomly nonrelated genotyped individuals in the reference population reduced IA for both purebred and crossbred cows, except for scenario SPB+DLD, where adding crossbreds to the reference population increased IA values. Our findings demonstrate that IA for US Holstein × Jersey crossbred ranged from 85 to 90%, and emphasize the significance of designing and defining the reference population for improved IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanille Déru
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607.
| | - Francesco Tiezzi
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Florence, 50144, Italy
| | - Paul M VanRaden
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
| | | | - Sajjad Toghiani
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
| | - Christian Maltecca
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607
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Kong L, Yue Y, Li J, Yang B, Chen B, Liu J, Lu Z. Transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal improved performance of Hu sheep on hybridization with Southdown sheep. Food Res Int 2023; 173:113240. [PMID: 37803553 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113240] [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: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
Consumers are increasingly demanding high-quality mutton. Cross breeding can improve meat quality and is widely used in sheep breeding. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism of cross breeding sheep meat quality. In this study, male Southdown and female Hu sheep were hybridized. The slaughter performance and longissimus dorsi quality of the 6-month-old hybrid offspring were measured, and the longissimus dorsi of the hybrid offspring was analyzed by transcriptomics and metabolomics to explore the effect of cross breeding on meat quality. The results showed that the production performance of Southdown × Hu F1 sheep was significantly improved, the carcass fat content was significantly decreased, and the eating quality of Southdown × Hu F1 sheep were better. Compared with the HS group (Hu × Hu), the NH group (Southdown × Hu) had 538 differentially expressed genes and 166 differentially expressed metabolites (P < 0.05), which were significantly enriched in amino acid metabolism and other related pathways. Up-regulated genes METTL21C, PPARGC1A and down-regulated gene WFIKKN2 are related to muscle growth and development. Among them, the METTL21C gene, which is related to muscle development, was highly correlated with carnosine, a metabolite related to meat quality (correlation > 0.6 and P < 0.05). Our results provide further understanding of the molecular mechanism of cross breeding for sheep muscle growth and meat quality optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingying Kong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaojing Yue
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jianye Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Bohui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Bowen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China.
| | - Zengkui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on the Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China; Sheep Breeding Engineering Technology Research Center of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730050, China.
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9
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Marchioretto PV, Rabel RAC, Allen CA, Ole-Neselle MMB, Wheeler MB. Development of genetically improved tropical-adapted dairy cattle. Anim Front 2023; 13:7-15. [PMID: 37841756 PMCID: PMC10575304 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Marchioretto
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - R A Chanaka Rabel
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Crystal A Allen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Moses M B Ole-Neselle
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Matthew B Wheeler
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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10
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Chang H, Wang X, Zeng H, Zhai Y, Huang N, Wang C, Han Z. Comparison of ruminal microbiota, metabolomics, and milk performance between Montbéliarde×Holstein and Holstein cattle. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1178093. [PMID: 37601757 PMCID: PMC10433227 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1178093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Holstein cattle are well known for their high average milk yield but are more susceptible to disease and have lower fecundity than other breeds of cattle. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between ruminal metabolites and both milk performance and ruminal microbiota composition as a means of assessing the benefits of crossbreeding Montbéliarde and Holstein cattle. This experiment crossbred Holstein with Montbéliarde cattle, aimed to act as a reference for producing high-quality dairy products and improving the overall efficiency of dairy cattle breeding. Based on similar age, parity and lactation time, 46 cows were selected and divided into two groups (n = 23 per group) for comparison experiment and fed the same formula: Montbéliarde×Holstein (MH, DIM = 33.23 ± 5.61 d), Holstein (H, DIM = 29.27 ± 4.23 d). Dairy herd improvement (DHI) data is an important basis for evaluating the genetic quality of bulls, understanding the quality level of milk, and improving feeding management. We collected the DHI data of these cows in the early lactation, middle lactation and late lactation period of 10 months. The results showed that the average milk production and protein content in Montbéliarde×Holstein were 1.76 kg (34.41 kg to 32.65 kg, p > 0.05) and 0.1% (3.54 to 3.44%, p < 0.05) higher than in Holstein cattle. Moreover, milk from Montbéliarde×Holstein cattle had lesser somatic cell score (1.66 to 2.02) than Holstein cattle (p < 0.01). A total of 10 experimental cattle in early lactation were randomly selected in the two groups (Lactation time = 92.70 ± 6.81), and ruminal fluid were collected by oral gastric tube. Using 16S rRNA microbial sequencing, we compared the ruminal microbiota composition and found that Montbéliarde×Holstein cattle had a lower abundance of Alphaproteobacteria (p < 0.05) and higher abundance of Selenomonas than Holstein cattle (p < 0.05). These bacteria play roles in protein degradation, nitrogen fixation and lactic acid degradation. The abundance of Succiniclasticum was also greater in Montbéliarde×Holstein cattle (p = 0.053). Through ruminal metabolome analysis, we found that the levels of trans-ferulic acid, pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, and quinaldic acid were significantly increased in Montbéliarde×Holstein cattle, while that of lathosterol was significantly decreased. The changes in the levels of these metabolites could confer improved antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhaoyu Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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11
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Yang J, Zhang Z, Lu X, Yang Z. Effect of Dam Body Conformations on Birth Traits of Calves in Chinese Holsteins. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2253. [PMID: 37508031 PMCID: PMC10376613 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142253] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the effect of dam body conformations on birth traits including stillbirth, dystocia, gestation length and birth weight of Chinese Holstein calves and to provide a reference for improving cow reproductive performance. We collected phenotype data on 20 conformation traits of Chinese Holstein cows and analyzed the impact of dam conformation trait linear scores on stillbirth, dystocia, gestation length and calf birth weight. The feet angle, set of rear legs, fore udder attachment and rear attachment height traits of the dairy cows significantly affected the risk of stillbirth. The risk of dystocia decreases with the increase in stature and pin width. The bone quality of dairy cows had a significant positive correlation with gestation length. There was a significant positive correlation between fore udder attachment and calf weight at birth. The birth weight of calves from cows with high body conformation traits was significantly higher than that of calves with a low composite score. These results suggest that improving the body conformation traits, especially the selection of mammary system and body shape total score, will be beneficial in improving the reproductive performance of dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhipeng Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xubin Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhangping Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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12
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Clasen JB, Fikse WF, Su G, Karaman E. Multibreed genomic prediction using summary statistics and a breed-origin-of-alleles approach. Heredity (Edinb) 2023:10.1038/s41437-023-00619-4. [PMID: 37231157 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00619-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of an increasing interest in crossbreeding between dairy breeds in dairy cattle herds, farmers are requesting breeding values for crossbred animals. However, genomically enhanced breeding values are difficult to predict in crossbred populations because the genetic make-up of crossbred individuals is unlikely to follow the same pattern as for purebreds. Furthermore, sharing genotype and phenotype information between breed populations are not always possible, which means that genetic merit (GM) for crossbred animals may be predicted without the information needed from some pure breeds, resulting in low prediction accuracy. This simulation study investigated the consequences of using summary statistics from single-breed genomic predictions for some or all pure breeds in two- and three-breed rotational crosses, rather than their raw data. A genomic prediction model taking into account the breed-origin of alleles (BOA) was considered. Because of a high genomic correlation between the breeds simulated (0.62-0.87), the prediction accuracies using the BOA approach were similar to a joint model, assuming homogeneous SNP effects for these breeds. Having a reference population with summary statistics available from all pure breeds and full phenotype and genotype information from crossbreds yielded almost as high prediction accuracies (0.720-0.768) as having a reference population with full information from all pure breeds and crossbreds (0.753-0.789). Lacking information from the pure breeds yielded much lower prediction accuracies (0.590-0.676). Furthermore, including crossbred animals in a combined reference population also benefitted prediction accuracies in the purebred animals, especially for the smallest breed population.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Clasen
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 8, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - W F Fikse
- Växa Sverige, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, 756 51, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - G Su
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 8, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - E Karaman
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 8, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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13
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Piazza M, Schiavon S, Saha S, Berton M, Bittante G, Gallo L. Body and milk production traits as indicators of energy requirements and efficiency of purebred Holstein and 3-breed rotational crossbred cows from Viking Red, Montbéliarde, and Holstein sires. J Dairy Sci 2023:S0022-0302(23)00218-7. [PMID: 37164865 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22830] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare rotational 3-breed crossbred cows of Viking Red, Montbéliarde, and Holstein breeds with purebred Holstein cows for a range of body measurements, as well as different metrics of the cows' productivity and production efficiency. The study involved 791 cows (440 crossbreds and 351 purebreds), that were managed across 2 herds. Within each herd, crossbreds and purebreds were reared and milked together, fed the same diets, and managed as one group. The heart girth, height at withers, and body length were measured, and body condition score (BCS) was determined on all the cows on a single test day. The body weight (BW) of 225 cows were used to develop an equation to predict BW from body size traits, parity, and days in milk, which was then used to estimate the BW of all the cows. Equations from the literature were used to estimate body protein and lipid contents using the predicted BW and BCS. Evidence suggests that maintenance energy requirements may be closely related to body protein mass, and Holstein and crossbred cows may be different in body composition. Therefore, we computed the requirements of net energy for maintenance (NEM) on the basis either of the metabolic weight (NEM-MW: 0.418 MJ/kg of metabolic BW) or of the estimated body protein mass according to a coefficient (NEM-PM: 0.631 MJ/kg body protein mass) computed on the subset comprising the purebred Holstein. On the same day when body measurements were collected, individual test-day milk yield and fat and protein contents were retrieved once from the official Italian milk recording system, and milk was sampled to determine fresh cheese yield. Measures of NEM were used to scale the production traits. Statistical analyses of all variables included the fixed effects of herd, days in milk, parity, and genetic group (purebred Holstein and crossbred), and the herd × genetic group interaction. External validation of the equation predicting BW yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.94 and an average bias of -4.95 ± 36.81 kg. The crossbreds had similar predicted BW and NEM-MW compared with the Holsteins. However, NEM-PM of crossbreds was 3.8% lower than that of the Holsteins, due to their 11% greater BCS and different estimated body composition. The crossbred cows yielded 4.8% less milk and 3.4% less milk energy than the purebred Holsteins. However, the differences between genetic groups were no longer significant when the production traits were scaled on NEM-PM, suggesting that the crossbreds and purebreds have the same productive ability and efficiency per unit of body protein mass. In conclusion, measures of productivity and efficiency that combine the cows' production capability with traits related to body composition and the energy cost of production seem to be more effective criteria for comparing crossbred and purebred Holstein cows than just milk, fat, and protein yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Piazza
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy 35020
| | - Stefano Schiavon
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy 35020.
| | - Sudeb Saha
- Department of Dairy Science, Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh 3100; Laboratory of Animal Food Function, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan 980-8572
| | - Marco Berton
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy 35020
| | - Giovanni Bittante
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy 35020
| | - Luigi Gallo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy 35020
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14
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Pipino DF, Piccardi M, Lopez-Villalobos N, Hickson RE, Vázquez MI. Fertility and survival of Swedish Red and White × Holstein crossbred cows and purebred Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:2475-2486. [PMID: 36870839 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22403] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Swedish Red and White × Holstein (S×H) cows were compared with pure Holstein (HOL) cows for fertility and survival traits in 2 commercial dairy farms in central-southern Córdoba province, Argentina, over 6 years (2008-2013). The following traits were evaluated: first service conception rate (FSCR), overall conception rate (CR), number of services per conception (SC), days open (DO), mortality rate, culling rate, survival to subsequent calvings, and length of productive life (LPL). The data set consisted of 506 lactations from 240 S×H crossbred cows and 1,331 lactations from 576 HOL cows. The FSCR and CR were analyzed using logistic regression, DO and LPL were analyzed using a Cox's proportional hazards regression model, and differences of proportions were calculated for mortality rate, culling rate, and survival to subsequent calvings. The S×H cows were superior to HOL cows in overall lactations for all the fertility traits (+10.5% FSCR, +7.7% CR, -0.5 SC, and 35 fewer DO). During the first lactation, S×H cows were superior to HOL cows for all fertility traits (+12.8% FSCR, +8.0% CR, -0.4 SC, and 34 fewer DO). In the second lactation, S×H cows exhibited lower SC (-0.5) and 21 fewer DO than HOL cows. In the third or greater lactations, S×H cows showed higher FSCR (+11.0%) and CR (+12.2%), lower SC (-0.8), and 44 fewer DO than pure HOL cows. In addition, S×H cows had a lower mortality rate (-4.7%) and a lower culling rate (-13.7%) than HOL cows. Due to the higher fertility and lower mortality and culling rates, the S×H cows had higher survival to the second (+9.2%), third (+16.9%), and fourth (+18.7%) calvings than HOL cows. Because of these results, S×H cows had longer LPL (+10.3 mo) than HOL cows. These results indicate that S×H cows had higher fertility and survival than HOL cows on commercial dairy farms in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- D F Pipino
- Departamento de Reprodución Animal, Facultad de Agronomía y Veterianaria, UNRC, Río Cuarto, Córdoba 5800, Argentina; Veterinaria Pipino, Ucacha, Córdoba 2677, Argentina.
| | - M Piccardi
- Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola, Instituto Nacional de Tecnologías Agropecuarias, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
| | - N Lopez-Villalobos
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - R E Hickson
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - M I Vázquez
- Departamento de Reprodución Animal, Facultad de Agronomía y Veterianaria, UNRC, Río Cuarto, Córdoba 5800, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Río Cuarto 5800, Cordoba, Argentina
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15
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Piazza M, Berton M, Amalfitano N, Bittante G, Gallo L. Cull cow carcass traits and risk of culling of Holstein cows and 3-breed rotational crossbred cows from Viking Red, Montbéliarde, and Holstein bulls. J Dairy Sci 2022; 106:312-322. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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16
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Eiríksson JH, Strandén I, Su G, Mäntysaari EA, Christensen OF. Local breed proportions and local breed heterozygosity in genomic predictions for crossbred dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:9822-9836. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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17
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Jayawardana JMDR, Lopez-Villalobos N, McNaughton LR, Hickson RE. Fertility of dairy cows milked once daily or twice daily in New Zealand. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:8911-8923. [PMID: 36153161 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of New Zealand dairy cows with different milking regimens. A total of 2,562 herds calving in 2017 met the criteria for inclusion in this study. The herds were classified into 5 different milking regimens: 260 herds with cows milked once daily (OAD) during the entire lactation, 1,206 herds with cows milked twice daily (TAD) during the entire lactation, 94 herds that were switched to OAD milking from TAD milking during the mating period (OAD-M), 700 herds that were switched to OAD milking from TAD milking after peak lactation (OAD-P), and 302 herds that switched to OAD milking from TAD milking at end of the lactation (OAD-E). Time from the start of mating to first service (SMFS), start of mating to conception (SMCO) and first service to conception (FSCO) were analyzed using survival analysis. Time from SMFS, SMCO and FSCO was significantly shorter in cows milked OAD compared with cows milked TAD. Also, cows milked OAD had fewer services per conception and higher mean 3-wk submission (SR21), in calf by 3 wk (PR21), in calf by 6 wk (PR42), conception to the first service (PRFS), 3-wk calving (CR21) and 6-wk calving (CR42), and lower not in calf (NIC) than herds with TAD, OAD-M, OAD-P, OAD-E milking cows. Fertility performance differed with parity; first-parity cows had lower SR21, 6-wk submission (SR42), PR21, PR42, PRFS, CR21, and CR42 values, and higher NIC values than second-parity cows. Third parity cows had the highest values for SR42, PR21, PR42, PRFS, CR21, and CR42, and lowest value for NIC compared with cows of other parities. Significant but minor interactions between milking regimen and parity existed for SMFS, SMCO, FSCO, SR21, SR42, PR21, PR42, PRFS, NIC, and CR21.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M D R Jayawardana
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka.
| | - N Lopez-Villalobos
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - L R McNaughton
- Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - R E Hickson
- Focus Genetics, 17C Mahia St, Ahuriri, Napier 4144, New Zealand
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18
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Pereira GM, Hansen LB, Heins BJ. Birth traits of Holstein calves compared with Holstein, Jersey, Montbéliarde, Normande, and Viking Red-sired crossbred calves. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:9286-9295. [PMID: 36085112 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21893] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Holstein (HO) calves, 3-breed crossbred calves of Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and HO (MVH), and 3-breed crossbred calves of Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red (NJV) were compared for gestation length (GL), calf weight at birth (CW), calving difficulty (CD), and stillbirth (SB) in 2 research herds at the University of Minnesota. Calves were born from January 2009 to December 2019. For the St. Paul and Morris herds, HO calves (n = 1,121) were compared with MVH calves (n = 1,393) from primiparous and multiparous cows. For the single herd analysis at Morris, HO calves (n = 476), MVH calves (n = 922), and NJV calves (n = 405) were compared from primiparous and multiparous cows. Primiparous and multiparous births were analyzed separately because multiparous cows had multiple births, and CD and SB are likely different traits for primiparous and multiparous cows. Statistical analysis of GL, CW, CD, and SB included fixed effects of sex of calf, herd, breed group of calf, and year-season of calving. For the St. Paul and Morris herds, HO calves from primiparous (278 d) and multiparous (279 d) HO cows had shorter GL compared with MVH calves from primiparous (280 d) and multiparous (282 d) crossbred cows. The HO calves (39.4 and 43.2 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous HO cows had lower CW compared with MVH calves (40.3 and 44.3 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous crossbred cows. Calving difficulty and SB were not different for HO and MVH calves from primiparous and multiparous cows. For the single herd analysis at Morris, HO calves (278 and 279 d, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous HO cows had shorter GL compared with MVH calves (281 and 282 d, respectively) and NJV calves (282 and 282 d, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous crossbred cows. The CW of HO calves (38.6 and 42.0 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous HO cows was lower compared with MVH calves (39.7 and 42.9 kg, respectively), but higher compared with NJV calves (35.1 and 38.0 kg, respectively) from primiparous and multiparous crossbred cows. Calving difficulty and SB did not differ for HO, MVH, and NJV calves from primiparous and multiparous cows. The longer GL for crossbred calves and higher CW for MVH calves did not increase CD and SB for primiparous and multiparous cows. Dairy producers may implement 3-breed rotational crossbreeding systems that include the HO, Jersey, Normande, Montbéliarde, and Viking Red breeds, and some breeds may increase GL and CW without an increase in CD and SB.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Pereira
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108; West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris 56267
| | - L B Hansen
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - B J Heins
- West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris 56267.
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19
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Eiríksson JH, Byskov K, Su G, Thomasen JR, Christensen OF. Genomic predictions for crossbred dairy cows by combining solutions from purebred evaluation based on breed origin of alleles. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:5178-5191. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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20
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Medeiros I, Fernandez-Novo A, Astiz S, Simões J. Historical Evolution of Cattle Management and Herd Health of Dairy Farms in OECD Countries. Vet Sci 2022; 9:125. [PMID: 35324853 PMCID: PMC8954633 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030125] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This work aimed to review the important aspects of the dairy industry evolution at herd level, interrelating production with health management systems. Since the beginning of the industrialization of the dairy cattle sector (1950s), driven by the need to feed the rapidly growing urban areas, this industry has experienced several improvements, evolving in management and technology. These changes have been felt above all in the terms of milking, rearing, nutrition, reproductive management, and design of facilities. Shortage of labor, emphasis on increasing farm efficiency, and quality of life of the farmers were the driving factors for these changes. To achieve it, in many areas of the world, pasture production has been abandoned, moving to indoor production, which allows for greater nutritional and reproductive control of the animals. To keep pace with this paradigm in milk production, animal health management has also been improved. Prevention and biosecurity have become essential to control and prevent pathologies that cause great economic losses. As such, veterinary herd health management programs were created, allowing the management of health of the herd as a whole, through the common work of veterinarians and farmers. These programs address the farms holistically, from breeding to nutrition, from prevention to consultancy. In addition, farmers are now faced with a consumer more concerned on animal production, valuing certified products that respect animal health and welfare, as well as environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Medeiros
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Aitor Fernandez-Novo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa De Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Susana Astiz
- Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INIA), Puerta De Hierro Avenue s/n, CP, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - João Simões
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
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21
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Kenny D, Carthy TR, Murphy CP, Sleator RD, Evans RD, Berry DP. The Association Between Genomic Heterozygosity and Carcass Merit in Cattle. Front Genet 2022; 13:789270. [PMID: 35281838 PMCID: PMC8908906 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.789270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to quantify the association between both pedigree and genome-based measures of global heterozygosity and carcass traits, and to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) exhibiting non-additive associations with these traits. The carcass traits of interest were carcass weight (CW), carcass conformation (CC) and carcass fat (CF). To define the genome-based measures of heterozygosity, and to quantify the non-additive associations between SNPs and the carcass traits, imputed, high-density genotype data, comprising of 619,158 SNPs, from 27,213 cattle were used. The correlations between the pedigree-based heterosis coefficient and the three defined genomic measures of heterozygosity ranged from 0.18 to 0.76. The associations between the different measures of heterozygosity and the carcass traits were biologically small, with positive associations for CW and CC, and negative associations for CF. Furthermore, even after accounting for the pedigree-based heterosis coefficient of an animal, part of the remaining variability in some of the carcass traits could be captured by a genomic heterozygosity measure. This signifies that the inclusion of both a heterosis coefficient based on pedigree information and a genome-based measure of heterozygosity could be beneficial to limiting bias in predicting additive genetic merit. Finally, one SNP located on Bos taurus (BTA) chromosome number 5 demonstrated a non-additive association with CW. Furthermore, 182 SNPs (180 SNPs on BTA 2 and two SNPs on BTA 21) demonstrated a non-additive association with CC, while 231 SNPs located on BTA 2, 5, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19 and 21 demonstrated a non-additive association with CF. Results demonstrate that heterozygosity both at a global level and at the level of individual loci contribute little to the variability in carcass merit.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kenny
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, Ireland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Tara R. Carthy
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc Grange, Dunsany, Ireland
| | - Craig P. Murphy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | - Roy D. Sleator
- Department of Biological Sciences, Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Donagh P. Berry
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Fermoy, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Donagh P. Berry,
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22
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Nasr MAF, Hussein MA, Alkhedaide AQ, El-Tarabany MS, Roushdy ELM. Reproductive Performance and Culling Rate of Purebred Holstein Cows and Their Crosses With Fleckvieh and Brown Swiss Cows Under Subtropical Conditions. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:752941. [PMID: 34869726 PMCID: PMC8635099 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.752941] [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: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to elucidate the reproductive performance of purebred Holstein (HO) cows with their crosses with Fleckvieh (FV) and Brown Swiss (BS) cows under subtropical conditions. A total of 677 cows [487 HO, 104 HO × FV (HFV); 50% FV and 50% HO and 86 HO × BS (HB); 50% BS and 50% HO] were enrolled in this study. Pure HO cows had significantly greater service per conception (S/C; 3.69), days open (147.9 days), and calving interval (449.6 days), than the HFV (2.89, 116.7, and 407.4 days, respectively) and HB (3.07, 134.3, and 434.2 days, respectively) crossbred cows. At day 28, the conception percentage was significantly greater among HFV crossbred cows vs. pure HO cows [crude odds ratios (COR) = 2.16], but embryonic loss, abortion percentage, calving difficulty, and retained placenta percentage were similar (p > 0.05) among pure HO cows and their crosses. HFV crossbreds had significantly lower incidence of endometritis (COR = 0.70, p = 0.035), mastitis (COR = 0.69, p = 0.015), and ketosis (COR = 0.53, p = 0.004) vs. other cows. HB and pure HO cows had a similar incidence of mastitis, lameness, and ketosis (COR = 0.76, 0.75, and 0.81; p = 0.223, 0.468, and 0.492, respectively). HFV crossbred cows had a lower risk of culling rate than HB crossbred cows. In summary, HFV cows demonstrated the best reproductive performance in terms of S/C, days open, calving interval, conception at 28 days, mastitis percentage, ketosis percentage, and endometritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A F Nasr
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Hussein
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Adel Q Alkhedaide
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Turabah University College, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud S El-Tarabany
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - ELshimaa M Roushdy
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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23
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Eiríksson JH, Karaman E, Su G, Christensen OF. Breed of origin of alleles and genomic predictions for crossbred dairy cows. Genet Sel Evol 2021; 53:84. [PMID: 34742238 PMCID: PMC8572482 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00678-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In dairy cattle, genomic selection has been implemented successfully for purebred populations, but, to date, genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for crossbred cows are rarely available, although they are valuable for rotational crossbreeding schemes that are promoted as efficient strategies. An attractive approach to provide GEBV for crossbreds is to use estimated marker effects from the genetic evaluation of purebreds. The effects of each marker allele in crossbreds can depend on the breed of origin of the allele (BOA), thus applying marker effects based on BOA could result in more accurate GEBV than applying only proportional contribution of the purebreds. Application of BOA models in rotational crossbreeding requires methods for detecting BOA, but the existing methods have not been developed for rotational crossbreeding. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop and test methods for detecting BOA in a rotational crossbreeding system, and to investigate methods for calculating GEBV for crossbred cows using estimated marker effects from purebreds. RESULTS For detecting BOA in crossbred cows from rotational crossbreeding for which pedigree is recorded, we developed the AllOr method based on the comparison of haplotypes in overlapping windows. To calculate the GEBV of crossbred cows, two models were compared: a BOA model where marker effects estimated from purebreds are combined based on the detected BOA; and a breed proportion model where marker effects are combined based on estimated breed proportions. The methods were tested on simulated data that mimic the first four generations of rotational crossbreeding between Holstein, Jersey and Red Dairy Cattle. The AllOr method detected BOA correctly for 99.6% of the marker alleles across the four crossbred generations. The reliability of GEBV was higher with the BOA model than with the breed proportion model for the four generations of crossbreeding, with the largest difference observed in the first generation. CONCLUSIONS In rotational crossbreeding for which pedigree is recorded, BOA can be accurately detected using the AllOr method. Combining marker effects estimated from purebreds to predict the breeding value of crossbreds based on BOA is a promising approach to provide GEBV for crossbred dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jón H Eiríksson
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark.
| | - Emre Karaman
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Guosheng Su
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Ole F Christensen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
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24
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Wu XL, Zhao S. Editorial: Advances in Genomics of Crossbred Farm Animals. Front Genet 2021; 12:709483. [PMID: 34422012 PMCID: PMC8375302 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.709483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lin Wu
- Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Bowie, MD, United States.,Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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25
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Comparison of metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory status of Simmental × Holstein crossbred with parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods. J DAIRY RES 2021; 88:253-260. [PMID: 34405789 DOI: 10.1017/s0022029921000650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the research reported in this paper was to evaluate plasma concentrations of energy, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers of Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows, in comparison with the two parental breeds during the peripartal and early lactation periods and to estimate the effects of heterosis for these traits. Thirty-three animals, managed under the same conditions, 8 Simmental (SI), 9 Holstein (HO) and 16 crossbred (CR) cows were enrolled in this study. Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), total protein, albumin, creatinine and urea were determined in blood sampled at six different time points (30 ± 3 and 15 ± 3 d before the expected calving date, at calving and 15, 30 and 60 d after calving). Furthermore, derived reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A protein (SAA) were determined to evaluate inflammatory and oxidative status. Results showed that the CR group had significantly lower average values of glucose and NEFA when compared to HO group; signifcantly lower values of urea than SI group and significantly higher values of creatinine than HO. Furthermore, CR cows showed the lowest average value of d-ROMs with respect to SI and HO parental breeds. Finally, the average value of haptoglobin was significantly lower in CR and HO groups, when compared to SI group. As for the heterosis we found the highest (positive) percentage for CK (98%) and BAP (47%) and the lowest (negative) percentage for OSi (-75%) and d-ROMs (-39%). A negative percentage was also found for the glucose (-11%) and NEFA (-20%) toward the Simmental parental breed. Our results suggest a different response among the three genetic groups during the peripartal and early lactation periods. In particular, CR and SI cows seem more adaptable regarding energy metabolism and oxidative status. Heterosis led to a positive effect on those parameters in Simmental (sire) × Holstein (dam) crossbred cows F1 population (50% Simmental and 50% Holstein).
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26
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Avendaño-Reyes L, Correa-Calderón A, Macías-Cruz U, García-Casillas AC, Mellado M, Robinson PH, Hernández-Rivera JA. Impacts on two dairy breeds of adding a third (night) cooling event under extreme ambient heat. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:1443-1450. [PMID: 33740136 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02115-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Impacts of an additional cooling event during the night on physiological and productive parameters of two breeds (B) of dairy cows under severe heat stress conditions were determined. Fifteen Holstein (H) and 15 Jersey x Holstein (JxH) cows were assigned to one of the two cooling strategies (CS), where the difference was an added 1 h cooling event during the night (i.e., 3X and 4X cooling events) with the 4X group having the added night cooling event. Maximum and minimum average temperature/humidity indices during the study were 86 and 77 units, respectively. There were no CS x B interactions for any response variable. Body condition score (BCS) was similar between CS, but H cows had higher (P<0.05) condition than JxH. There were no differences in rectal temperature due to CS or B. Respiration rate between breeds and cooling strategies were similar throughout the day. However body surface temperatures of head, thurl, right flank, and udder were higher (P<0.05) in 3X versus 4X cows, and H cows maintained a higher (P < 0.05) temperature in thurl and right flank than JxH during PM hours. Metabolites and hormone concentrations were not affected by CS, but H cows had lower (P < 0.05) triiodothyronine and higher (P < 0.05) thyroxine, than JxH. The 4X cows had higher (P<0.05) milk yield and milk energy output than 3X cows. While H cows produced more milk than JxH, the latter had higher (P < 0.05) milk component levels. In general, JxH cows were judged to have to demonstrate a more desirable physiological response and milk composition outcome than H cows. An additional night cooling event was judged to result in more desirable physiological and productive responses than in cows without this extra night cooling event under the extremely hot and dry environmental conditions during the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonel Avendaño-Reyes
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, 21705, Valle de Mexicali, Baja California, México
| | - Abelardo Correa-Calderón
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, 21705, Valle de Mexicali, Baja California, México
| | - Ulises Macías-Cruz
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas, 21705, Valle de Mexicali, Baja California, México
| | | | - Miguel Mellado
- Departamento de Nutrición Animal, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, 25315, Saltillo, Coahuila, México
| | - P H Robinson
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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27
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Martinez-Castillero M, Varona L, Pegolo S, Rossoni A, Cecchinato A. Bayesian inference of the inbreeding load variance for fertility traits in Brown Swiss cattle. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:10040-10048. [PMID: 34147228 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-20087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Our study investigated the inbreeding load for fertility traits in the Italian Brown Swiss dairy cattle breed. Fertility traits included continuous traits (i.e., interval from calving to first service, days open, and calving interval) and categorical traits (i.e., calving rate at first insemination and nonreturn date at d 56). We included only records of the first 3 parities of cows that calved between 2010 and 2018. We traced up the pedigree of the cows with records as far as possible, ending up with a total of 73,246 animals. The final data set consisted of 59,864 records from 34,921 cows. We analyzed all models using a Bayesian approach that included a covariate with total inbreeding in addition to systematic, permanent environment, additive genetic, and inbreeding load effects. We then evaluated the trends in heritabilities and ratios of the inbreeding load using a continuum of partial inbreeding coefficients from 0.001 to 0.100 as reference. Posterior estimates of heritabilities tended to decrease across the continuum, whereas ratios of the inbreeding load tended to increase, more noticeably in categorical traits (calving rate at first insemination and nonreturn date at d 56). From the results obtained, we confirmed the presence of heterogeneity in inbreeding depression. We then predicted the inbreeding load effects, which had a low reliability of prediction, explained by having only 513 ancestors generating inbreeding. However, reliability of prediction was high enough for some of the individuals, obtaining a favorable prediction of inbreeding load for a relevant percentage, which improved the phenotypic performance of their inbred descendants. These results make it feasible to implement breeding and management strategies that select ancestors with a favorable inbreeding load prediction. In addition, it opens the possibility to define a global index for the expected consequences of the inbreeding generated by each individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Martinez-Castillero
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell' Università 16, 35020, Legnaro PD, Italy
| | - Luis Varona
- Unidad de Genética Cuantitativa y Mejora Animal, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Universidad de Zaragoza, Calle de Miguel Servet, 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Pegolo
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell' Università 16, 35020, Legnaro PD, Italy.
| | - Attilio Rossoni
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori di Razza Bruna, Loc. Ferlina, 204, 37012, Bussolengo VR, Italy
| | - Alessio Cecchinato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell' Università 16, 35020, Legnaro PD, Italy
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28
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Karaman E, Su G, Croue I, Lund MS. Genomic prediction using a reference population of multiple pure breeds and admixed individuals. Genet Sel Evol 2021; 53:46. [PMID: 34058971 PMCID: PMC8168010 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00637-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In dairy cattle populations in which crossbreeding has been used, animals show some level of diversity in their origins. In rotational crossbreeding, for instance, crossbred dams are mated with purebred sires from different pure breeds, and the genetic composition of crossbred animals is an admixture of the breeds included in the rotation. How to use the data of such individuals in genomic evaluations is still an open question. In this study, we aimed at providing methodologies for the use of data from crossbred individuals with an admixed genetic background together with data from multiple pure breeds, for the purpose of genomic evaluations for both purebred and crossbred animals. A three-breed rotational crossbreeding system was mimicked using simulations based on animals genotyped with the 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip. RESULTS For purebred populations, within-breed genomic predictions generally led to higher accuracies than those from multi-breed predictions using combined data of pure breeds. Adding admixed population's (MIX) data to the combined pure breed data considering MIX as a different breed led to higher accuracies. When prediction models were able to account for breed origin of alleles, accuracies were generally higher than those from combining all available data, depending on the correlation of quantitative trait loci (QTL) effects between the breeds. Accuracies varied when using SNP effects from any of the pure breeds to predict the breeding values of MIX. Using those breed-specific SNP effects that were estimated separately in each pure breed, while accounting for breed origin of alleles for the selection candidates of MIX, generally improved the accuracies. Models that are able to accommodate MIX data with the breed origin of alleles approach generally led to higher accuracies than models without breed origin of alleles, depending on the correlation of QTL effects between the breeds. CONCLUSIONS Combining all available data, pure breeds' and admixed population's data, in a multi-breed reference population is beneficial for the estimation of breeding values for pure breeds with a small reference population. For MIX, such an approach can lead to higher accuracies than considering breed origin of alleles for the selection candidates, and using breed-specific SNP effects estimated separately in each pure breed. Including MIX data in the reference population of multiple breeds by considering the breed origin of alleles, accuracies can be further improved. Our findings are relevant for breeding programs in which crossbreeding is systematically applied, and also for populations that involve different subpopulations and between which exchange of genetic material is routine practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Karaman
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark.
| | - Guosheng Su
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
| | | | - Mogens S Lund
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, 8830, Tjele, Denmark
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29
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Mohan G, Kumar A, Khan SH, Kumar NA, Kapila S, Lathwal SS, Sodhi M, Niranjan SK. Casein (CSN) gene variants and parity affect the milk protein traits in crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) cows in sub-tropical climate. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 53:289. [PMID: 33905007 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-02736-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 09/29/2022]
Abstract
Genotypes at four casein (CSN) loci-A26181G of CSN1S1, C6227T of CSN1S2, A8101C of CSN2, and A13104C of CSN3-along with non-genetic factors were studied for their effects on various milk protein traits in 100 crossbred cows with major inheritance of Holstein Frisian (Bos taurus) and Tharparkar (Bos indicus). Results demonstrated the presence of all CSN genotypes with a predominance of heterozygotes. At CSN2 (A8101C; His67Pro) locus, the A2 allele, desirable for human health, was present in 62% as heterozygous and 29% in homozygous condition. Among non-genetic factors, parity of the cows had a significant influence on the milk protein traits in these crossbreds. The genotypes at CSN1S1, CSN2, and CSN3 loci were found to influence (p<0.05 to 0.01) the casein and whey protein yields and composition traits. The casein index and total milk yield were most influenced by the CSN1S2 locus. The AA (A1 milk) genotype of CSN2 had significantly higher yields and percentages of casein and whey proteins. Positive influence of CC genotype of CSNS3 on milk proteins of was observed similar to Bos taurus cows; however, such influence of AA genotype of CSN2 locus may be distinctive to the crossbred cows maintained in subtropical condition. Overall, the results revealed the diverse effects of CSN genotypes on milk proteins in crossbred cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govind Mohan
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, India.,ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Anshuman Kumar
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India.,Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur, U.P., India
| | | | - N Anand Kumar
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Suman Kapila
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - S S Lathwal
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Monika Sodhi
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - S K Niranjan
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Haryana, India.
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30
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Clasen JB, Kargo M, Østergaard S, Fikse WF, Rydhmer L, Strandberg E. Genetic consequences of terminal crossbreeding, genomic test, sexed semen, and beef semen in dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:8062-8075. [PMID: 33814139 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-20028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The development of breeding tools, such as genomic selection and sexed semen, has progressed rapidly in dairy cattle breeding during the past decades. In combination with beef semen, these tools are adopted increasingly at herd level. Dairy crossbreeding is emerging, but the economic and genetic consequences of combining it with the other breeding tools are relatively unknown. We investigated 5 different sexed semen schemes where 0, 50, and 90% of the heifers; 50% of the heifers + 25% of the first-parity cows; and 90% of the heifers + 45% of the first-parity cows were bred to sexed semen. The 5 schemes were combined in scenarios managing pure-breeding or terminal crossbreeding, including genomic testing of all newborn heifers or no testing, and keeping Swedish Red or Swedish Holstein as an initial breed. Thus, 40 scenarios were simulated, combining 2 stochastic simulation models: SimHerd Crossbred (operational returns) and ADAM (genetic returns). The sum of operational and genetic returns equaled the total economic return. Beef semen was used in all scenarios to limit the surplus of replacement heifers. Terminal crossbreeding implied having a nucleus of purebred females, where some were inseminated with semen of the opposite breed. The F1 crossbred females were inseminated with beef semen. The reproductive performance played a role in improving the benefit of any of the tools. The most considerable total economic returns were achieved when all 4 breeding tools were combined. For Swedish Holstein, the highest total economic return compared with a pure-breeding scenario, without sexed semen and genomic test, was achieved when 90% sexed semen was used in heifers and 45% sexed semen was used for first-parity cows combined with genomic test and crossbreeding (+€58, 33% crossbreds in the herd). The highest total economic return for Swedish Red compared with a pure-breeding scenario, without sexed semen and genomic test, was achieved when 90% sexed semen was used in heifers combined with genomic test and crossbreeding (+€94, 46% crossbreds in the herd). Terminal crossbreeding resulted in lower genetic returns across the herd compared with the corresponding pure-breeding scenarios but was compensated by a higher operational return.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Clasen
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - M Kargo
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, Danish Agriculture and Food Council, Agro Food Park 15, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - S Østergaard
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - W F Fikse
- Växa Sverige, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 26, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - L Rydhmer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E Strandberg
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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31
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Stock J, Esfandyari H, Hinrichs D, Bennewitz J. Implementing a genomic rotational crossbreeding scheme to promote local dairy cattle breeds-A simulation study. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:6873-6884. [PMID: 33773793 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In dairy cattle breeding, there is a clear trend toward the use of only a few high-yielding breeds. One main reason is that efficient breeding programs require a certain population size. Since some numerically small breeds are well known for their functional traits, they might be an interesting crossing partner for high-yielding breeds with the aim to utilize heterosis. This simulation study investigated the transition period of a small cattle population for the implementation of genomic selection and rotational crossbreeding with a high-yielding breed. Real SNP chip genotype data from the numerically small red dairy breed Angler and the high-yielding breed Holstein Friesian were used to simulate the base generations, from which rotational crossbreeding was conducted for 10 generations. A polygenic trait with many quantitative trait loci with additive and directional dominance effects was simulated. Different selection methods for Angler sires (purebred performance, crossbred performance, and weighted purebred-crossbred performance) and different sizes and structures of the reference population (Angler, crossbred animals, and Angler plus crossbred animals) were considered. The results showed that the implementation of a genomic rotational crossbreeding scheme is an appealing option to promote the numerically small Angler breed. The growing reference population consisting of Angler and crossbred individuals maximized the genetic gain for Angler and the performance level for the crossbred individuals. Selection for purebred performance, crossbred performance, or a weighted combination of both hardly affected the results, and differences between selection scenarios were observed only in the long term with decreasing purebred-crossbred correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Stock
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | | | - D Hinrichs
- Department of Animal Breeding, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
| | - J Bennewitz
- Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Hazel AR, Heins BJ, Hansen LB. Herd life, lifetime production, and profitability of Viking Red-sired and Montbéliarde-sired crossbred cows compared with their Holstein herdmates. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:3261-3277. [PMID: 33455784 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The first 2 generations from a 3-breed rotation of the Viking Red (VR), Montbéliarde (MO), and Holstein (HO) breeds were compared with their HO herdmates in high-performance commercial herds in Minnesota. The designed study enrolled pure HO females in 2008 to initiate a comparison of 3-breed rotational crossbreds with their HO herdmates. Sires of cows were proven artificial insemination bulls selected for high genetic merit in each of the 3 breeds. The first-generation cows calved for a first time from 2010 to 2014 and had 376 VR × HO and 358 MO × HO crossbreds to compare with their 640 HO herdmates. The second-generation cows calved for a first time from 2012 to 2014 and had 109 VR × MO/HO and 117 MO × VR/HO crossbreds to compare with their 250 HO herdmates. Collection of data ceased on December 31, 2017, and all cows studied had the opportunity for 45 mo in the herd after first calving. Production of milk, fat, and protein (kg) during lifetimes of cows was estimated from test-day observations with best prediction. The lifetime profit function included revenue and cost. Revenue was from production, calves, and slaughter of cull cows. Costs included feed cost during lactation, lactating overhead cost, dry cow cost (including feed cost during dry periods), replacement cost, health treatment cost, insemination cost, fertility hormone cost, pregnancy diagnosis cost, hoof trimming cost, and carcass disposal cost. For individual cows with herd life longer than 45 mo after first calving, survival of cows was projected beyond 45 mo after first calving to estimate herd life, production, and profitability. The 2-breed crossbreds had +158 d longer herd life and the 3-breed crossbreds had +147 d longer herd life compared with their respective HO herdmates. Also, 12.4% of the 2-breed crossbreds died up to 45 mo after first calving compared with 16.3% of their HO herdmates. Furthermore, approximately 29% of both the 2-breed and 3-breed crossbreds lived beyond 45 mo after first calving compared with approximately 18% of their respective HO herdmates. On a lifetime basis, the 2-breed and 3-breed crossbreds provided +$122 and +$134, respectively, more cull cow revenue compared with their HO herdmates. For lifetime replacement cost, the 2-breed crossbreds did not differ from their HO herdmates; however, the 3-breed crossbreds had -$28 less lifetime replacement cost compared with their HO herdmates because of their younger age at first calving. The combined 2-breed crossbreds had +$0.473 (+13%) more daily profit (ignoring potential differences for feed efficiency) and the combined 3-breed crossbreds had +$0.342 (+9%) more daily profit compared with their respective HO herdmates. This resulted in +$173 more profit/cow annually for the combined 2-breed crossbreds and +$125 more profit/cow annually for the combined 3-breed crossbreds compared with their respective HO herdmates.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Hazel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
| | - B J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - L B Hansen
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
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Clasen JB, Kargo M, Fikse W, Strandberg E, Wallenbeck A, Østergaard S, Rydhmer L. Conservation of a native dairy cattle breed through terminal crossbreeding with commercial dairy breeds. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2020.1867632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. B. Clasen
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - M. Kargo
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
- SEGES, Danish Agriculture & Food Council, Agro Food Park, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - W.F. Fikse
- Växa Sverige, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - E. Strandberg
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A. Wallenbeck
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - S. Østergaard
- Department of Animal Science, Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - L. Rydhmer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Khansefid M, Goddard ME, Haile-Mariam M, Konstantinov KV, Schrooten C, de Jong G, Jewell EG, O’Connor E, Pryce JE, Daetwyler HD, MacLeod IM. Improving Genomic Prediction of Crossbred and Purebred Dairy Cattle. Front Genet 2020; 11:598580. [PMID: 33381150 PMCID: PMC7767986 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.598580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the accuracy and bias of genomic prediction (GP) in purebred Holstein (H) and Jersey (J) as well as crossbred (H and J) validation cows using different reference sets and prediction strategies. The reference sets were made up of different combinations of 36,695 H and J purebreds and crossbreds. Additionally, the effect of using different sets of marker genotypes on GP was studied (conventional panel: 50k, custom panel enriched with, or close to, causal mutations: XT_50k, and conventional high-density with a limited custom set: pruned HDnGBS). We also compared the use of genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and Bayesian (emBayesR) models, and the traits tested were milk, fat, and protein yields. On average, by including crossbred cows in the reference population, the prediction accuracies increased by 0.01-0.08 and were less biased (regression coefficient closer to 1 by 0.02-0.16), and the benefit was greater for crossbreds compared to purebreds. The accuracy of prediction increased by 0.02 using XT_50k compared to 50k genotypes without affecting the bias. Although using pruned HDnGBS instead of 50k also increased the prediction accuracy by about 0.02, it increased the bias for purebred predictions in emBayesR models. Generally, emBayesR outperformed GBLUP for prediction accuracy when using 50k or pruned HDnGBS genotypes, but the benefits diminished with XT_50k genotypes. Crossbred predictions derived from a joint pure H and J reference were similar in accuracy to crossbred predictions derived from the two separate purebred reference sets and combined proportional to breed composition. However, the latter approach was less biased by 0.13. Most interestingly, using an equalized breed reference instead of an H-dominated reference, on average, reduced the bias of prediction by 0.16-0.19 and increased the accuracy by 0.04 for crossbred and J cows, with a little change in the H accuracy. In conclusion, we observed improved genomic predictions for both crossbreds and purebreds by equalizing breed contributions in a mixed breed reference that included crossbred cows. Furthermore, we demonstrate, that compared to the conventional 50k or high-density panels, our customized set of 50k sequence markers improved or matched the prediction accuracy and reduced bias with both GBLUP and Bayesian models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Khansefid
- AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria Services, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael E. Goddard
- AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria Services, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mekonnen Haile-Mariam
- AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria Services, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jennie E. Pryce
- AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria Services, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans D. Daetwyler
- AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria Services, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Iona M. MacLeod
- AgriBio Centre for AgriBioscience, Agriculture Victoria Services, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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Kargo M, Clasen JB, Nielsen HM, Byskov K, Norberg E. Short communication: Heterosis and breed effects for milk production and udder health traits in crosses between Danish Holstein, Danish Red, and Danish Jersey. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:678-682. [PMID: 33162080 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During the last decade, the use of systematic crossbreeding in dairy cattle herds has increased in several countries of the world. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of breed proportion and heterosis on milk production traits and udder health traits in dairy cattle. The study was based on records on milk yield (MY), protein yield (PY), fat yield (FY), somatic cell score (SCS), and mastitis (MAST) from 73,695 first-lactation dairy cows in 130 Danish herds applying systematic crossbreeding programs. Around 45% of the cows were crosses between Danish Holstein (DH), Danish Red (DR), or Danish Jersey (DJ), and the remaining were purebred DH, DR, or DJ. The statistical model included the fixed effects of herd-year, calving month, and calving age and an effect representing the lactation status of the cow. In addition, the model included a regression on calving interval from first to second lactation, a regression on the proportion of DH, DR, and DJ genes, and a regression on the degree of heterozygosity between DH and DR, DH and DJ, and DR and DJ. Random effects were the genetic effect of the cow and a residual. The effect of breed proportions was estimated relatively to DH. For MY, a pure DR yielded 461 kg milk less than DH, whereas a pure DJ yielded 2,259 kg milk less than a pure DH. Compared with DH, PY was 41.7 kg less for DJ, whereas PY for DR was 4.0 kg less than for DH. For FY, a DR yielded 10.6 kg less than DH, whereas there was no significant effect of breed proportion between DJ and DH. A DR cow had lower SCS (0.13) than DH, whereas DJ had higher SCS (0.14) than DH. There was no significant effect of breed proportion on MAST between the 3 breeds. Heterosis was significant in all combinations of breeds for MY, FY, and PY. Heterosis for crosses between DH and DR was 257 kg (3.2%), 11.9 kg (3.2%), and 8.9 kg (3.2%) for MY, PY, and FY, respectively. Corresponding figures for crosses between DH and DJ were 314 kg (4.4%), 14.3 kg (4.4%), and 10.4 kg (4.0%), whereas heterosis between DR and DJ was 462 kg (6.7%), 19.6 kg (6.7%), and 13.9 kg (5.4%) for MY, PY, and FY, respectively. Heterosis was only significant for SCS in the crosses between DH and DR. Heterosis effects for MAST were nonsignificant for all the crosses. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that in first lactation cows, there is a positive effect of heterosis on milk production traits, but limited effect on udder health traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kargo
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - J B Clasen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark; SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - H M Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
| | - K Byskov
- SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - E Norberg
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
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Davis H, Stergiadis S, Chatzidimitriou E, Sanderson R, Leifert C, Butler G. Meeting Breeding Potential in Organic and Low-Input Dairy Farming. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:544149. [PMID: 33195517 PMCID: PMC7655643 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.544149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-input (LI) dairy farming, relying heavily on grazing, is increasing in popularity for perceived sustainability, welfare, and milk nutritional quality benefits. However, there is little research into the breed suitability for these systems. The popular Holstein–Friesians are not well-suited to LI production as, to achieve their potential high yields, they require high levels of concentrate intakes and veterinary inputs. Holstein–Friesians were traditionally bred for high milk yields, which often correlate negatively with functional traits, such as fertility and health. This drives the need for alternative breed choices, and UK dairy farmers use several crossbreeding practices. Additionally, classic measures of production efficiency (kilogram feed per liter of milk) are not the sole priority in LI systems, which also aim for improved health, fertility, forage conversion, and milk quality. This study aimed to explore the effect of breeding strategy on LI and organic production in dairy systems, collecting data from 17 farms throughout England and Wales: 7 organic and 10 low-input conventional systems with both purebred and crossbred cows from different breeds. Records from 1,070 cows were collected, including background data, health, fertility, breeding, and parity. Additionally, milk was analyzed on four occasions (autumn 2011 and winter, spring, and summer 2012). Principal components analysis was used to visualize the effect of management, Farm ID, and stage of lactation on LI production. The analysis clustered cows by Farm ID, showing that individual management practice on each farm had the greatest impact on various production traits. Cows were allocated a composite score based on their yield, health records, and milk fatty acid profile, and a linear mixed-effects model indicated (p < 0.01) that crossbred New Zealand Friesian cows scored highest, whereas Dairy Shorthorn cows scored the lowest. This paper highlights weaknesses in current breeding programs for LI and organic farms in the UK, in terms of the alignment of breeds with husbandry practices. Additional research is needed to explore any gene by environment interactions to meet the true potential of individual cows and certain breeds under LI and organic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Davis
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sokratis Stergiadis
- Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Chatzidimitriou
- French Agency for Food Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), Regulated Products Assessment Department, Residues and Food Safety Unit, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Roy Sanderson
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Carlo Leifert
- Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Gillian Butler
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Solarczyk P, Gołębiewski M, Slósarz J, Łukasiewicz M, Przysucha T, Puppel K. Effect of Breed on the Level of the Nutritional and Health-Promoting Quality of Semimembranosus Muscle in Purebred and Crossbred Bulls. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1822. [PMID: 33036305 PMCID: PMC7601604 DOI: 10.3390/ani10101822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Meat from commercial breed cattle are very often used to crossbreed with dairy breeds. The effect of heterosis is most evident when crossbreeds are genetically different from each other. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the influence of breed types on the nutritional and pro-health quality of beef. The experiment was conducted on 62 bulls from three breeds: Limousin, Polish Holstein-Friesian, and Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF) × Limousin. During the fattening period, the animals were fed ad libitum using the same diet. Bulls were slaughtered at 21-23 months of age. The meat of PHF × Limousin hybrids was characterized by the lowest level of SFA and the highest content of n-3 PUFA fatty acids, carnosine, and α-tocopherol compared to the values obtained for the Polish Holstein-Friesian and Limousin breeds. In the case of PHF × Limousin hybrids, there was a 6% increase in n-3 PUFA, 21% in carnosine, and 66% in α-tocopherol compared to the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed. Commodity crossbreeding significantly improved the quality of beef analyzed in this study, resulting in similar or even better results than purebred cattle. This meant that beef from the hybrids with PHF was of the best nutritional and health-promoting quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Kamila Puppel
- Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (P.S.); (M.G.); (J.S.); (M.Ł.); (T.P.)
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Hazel AR, Heins BJ, Hansen LB. Health treatment cost, stillbirth, survival, and conformation of Viking Red-, Montbéliarde-, and Holstein-sired crossbred cows compared with pure Holstein cows during their first 3 lactations. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:10917-10939. [PMID: 32896397 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Three generations of crossbreds from a 3-breed rotation of the Viking Red (VR), Montbéliarde (MO), and Holstein (HO) breeds were compared with their HO herdmates in 7 commercial dairy herds in Minnesota. The designed study enrolled 3,550 HO females in 2008 to initiate crossbreeding and a control of pure HO herdmates within each herd. Service sires were high-ranking, proven AI bulls selected for high genetic merit within each of the VR, MO, and HO breeds. Cows in this study calved from 2010 to 2017 and collection of data ended on December 31, 2017. The first generation of cows consisted of 644 VR × HO and 616 MO × HO crossbreds and their 1,405 HO herdmates. The second generation had 615 VR × MO/HO and 568 MO × VR/HO crossbreds and their 1,462 HO herdmates. The third generation had 466 combined HO × VR/MO/HO and HO × MO/VR/HO crossbreds and their 736 HO herdmates. Total health cost was the sum of veterinary treatment cost, pharmaceutical cost, and farm labor cost to treat 16 different health disorders. Conformation traits and body condition score were subjectively scored once during early lactation for each of the first 3 lactations of cows. Total health cost of the 2-breed crossbreds was significantly lower during first (-23%), second (-29%), and third (-21%) lactation compared with their HO herdmates. For the 3-breed crossbreds, total health cost did not differ during first lactation but was -26% lower during both second and third lactation compared with their HO herdmates. The stillbirth rate for calves born to 2-breed crossbred dams (4%) was significantly lower compared with calves born to their HO herdmates (8%) at first calving. Survival from first to third calving (+9%) and first to fourth calving (+11%) was significantly higher for the 2-breed crossbreds compared with their HO herdmates. Also, the 3-breed crossbreds had significantly higher survival to third (+11%) and fourth (+19%) calving compared with their HO herdmates. Across each generation of crossbreeding, the crossbreds had uniformly shorter stature, less angularity, and less body depth compared with their respective HO herdmates. The crossbred cows also had significantly less udder clearance from the hock but significantly more rear teat width and longer teat length compared with their respective HO herdmates. Furthermore, the crossbred cows had higher body condition score compared with their HO herdmates during each of their first 3 lactations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Hazel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
| | - B J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - L B Hansen
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
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Hazel AR, Heins BJ, Hansen LB. Fertility and 305-day production of Viking Red-, Montbéliarde-, and Holstein-sired crossbred cows compared with Holstein cows during their first 3 lactations in Minnesota dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:8683-8697. [PMID: 32622593 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Three generations of crossbred cows from a 3-breed rotation of the Viking Red (VR), Montbéliarde (MO), and Holstein (HO) breeds were compared with HO herdmates in 7 high-performance, commercial dairy herds in Minnesota. The designed study was initiated in 2008 with the enrollment of 3,550 HO females. Sires of cows were proven artificial insemination bulls and were high-ranking for genetic merit within each of the VR, MO, and HO breeds. The first generation of cows calved a first time from 2010 to 2017 and consisted of 644 VR × HO and 616 MO × HO 2-breed crossbreds and their 1,405 HO herdmates. The second generation calved a first time from 2012 to 2017 and consisted of 615 VR × MO/HO and 568 MO × VR/HO crossbreds and their 1,462 HO herdmates. The third generation calved a first time from 2014 to 2017 and was composed of 466 HO × VR/MO/HO and HO × MO/VR/HO crossbreds combined and their 736 HO herdmates. Collection of data ceased on December 31, 2017, and for the duration of study, many of the 2-breed and 3-breed crossbreds and their HO herdmates had the opportunity to complete at least 3 lactations, whereas the HO-sired crossbreds and their HO herdmates had the opportunity to complete 1 lactation. The 305-d actual (not mature equivalent) production of milk, fat, and protein was estimated from test-day observations with best prediction and cows with <305 DIM were projected to 305 d. The 2-breed and 3-breed crossbred cows had superiority over their HO herdmates for all of the fertility traits measured. The 2-breed crossbreds had -9, -17, and -15 d fewer days open than their HO herdmates during first, second, and third lactation, respectively. Also, the 3-breed crossbreds had -15, -19, and -20 d fewer days open than their HO herdmates during first, second, and third lactation, respectively. Cows in these herds had young ages at first calving of 22 to 23 mo across the breed groups, and the 3-breed crossbreds had significantly younger ages at first, second, and third calving than their HO herdmates. The 2-breed crossbreds had +2% higher fat plus protein production (kg) during first lactation, but did not differ during second and third lactation, from their HO herdmates. The 3-breed crossbreds had -3% to -4% lower fat plus protein production (kg) than their HO herdmates in each of their first 3 lactations. During first lactation, the HO-sired crossbreds did not differ for fat plus protein production (kg) from their HO herdmates.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Hazel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
| | - B J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - L B Hansen
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
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Stock J, Bennewitz J, Hinrichs D, Wellmann R. A Review of Genomic Models for the Analysis of Livestock Crossbred Data. Front Genet 2020; 11:568. [PMID: 32670349 PMCID: PMC7332767 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Livestock breeding has shifted during the past decade toward genomic selection. For the estimation of breeding values in purebred breeding schemes, genomic best linear unbiased prediction has become the method of choice. Systematic crossbreeding with the aim to utilize heterosis and breed complementary effects is widely used in livestock breeding, especially in pig and poultry breeding. The goal is to improve the performance of the crossbred animals. Due to genotype-by-environment interactions, imperfect linkage disequilibrium, and the existence of dominance and imprinting, purebred and crossbred performances are not perfectly correlated. Hence, more complex genomic models are required for crossbred populations. This study reviews and compares such models. Compared to purebred genomic models, the reviewed models were of much higher complexity due to the inclusion of dominance effects, breed-specific effects, imprinting effects, and the joint evaluation of purebred and crossbred performance data. With the model assessment work conducted until now, it is not possible to come to a clear recommendation as to which existing method is most suitable for a specific breeding program and a specific genetic trait architecture. Since it is expected that a superior method includes all the different genetic effects in a single model, a dominance model with imprinting and breed-specific SNP effects is proposed. Further progress could be made by assuming realistic covariance structures between the genetic effects of the different breeding lines, and by using larger marker panels and mixture distributions for the SNP effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Stock
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Dirk Hinrichs
- Department of Animal Breeding, University of Kassel, Witzenhausen, Germany
| | - Robin Wellmann
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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Ajuogu PK, Wolden M, McFarlane JR, Hart RA, Carlson DJ, Van der Touw T, Smart NA. Effect of low- and high-protein maternal diets during gestation on reproductive outcomes in the rat: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5680668. [PMID: 31853549 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz380] [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: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies with animal models have consistently demonstrated adverse health outcomes in offspring born following nutritional manipulation during gestation. However, the effects of gestational dietary protein modification on reproductive outcomes at birth are less clear. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials to determine whether high- or low-protein diets are associated with altered reproductive outcomes in a commonly studied species, the rat. Included studies were identified through a systematic search using electronic databases and manual literature review to identify randomized studies published between June 1972 and March 2019. Thirty-two studies were identified and used to analyze the effects of low- and high-protein gestational diets on litter size, litter weight, gestational weight gain, and gestational feed intake. The results indicate that low-protein diets significantly reduced litter weight (P < 0.00001) and gestational weight gain (P < 0.0006), but did not influence litter size (P = 0.62) or gestational feed intake (P = 0.25). In contrast, high-protein diets were found to reduce gestational feed intake (P = 0.004) but did not influence litter size (P = 0.56), litter weight (P = 0.22), or gestational weight gain (P = 0.35). The results suggest that low but not high-protein gestational diets alter reproductive outcomes at birth in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter K Ajuogu
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Mitchell Wolden
- Physical Therapy Program, University of Jamestown, Fargo, ND
| | - James R McFarlane
- Centre for Bioactive Discovery in Health and Ageing, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert A Hart
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Debra J Carlson
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University Australia, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Tom Van der Touw
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Neil A Smart
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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Saha S, Amalfitano N, Bittante G, Gallo L. Milk coagulation traits and cheese yields of purebred Holsteins and 4 generations of 3-breed rotational crossbred cows from Viking Red, Montbéliarde, and Holstein bulls. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:3349-3362. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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43
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Wetlesen MS, Åby BA, Vangen O, Aass L. Estimation of breed and heterosis effects for cow productivity, carcass traits and income in beef × beef and dairy × beef crosses in commercial suckler cow production. ACTA AGR SCAND A-AN 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2020.1746825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. S. Wetlesen
- Department of Animal Science, Production and Welfare, Nord University, Steinkjer, Norway
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway
| | - B. A. Åby
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway
| | - O. Vangen
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway
| | - L. Aass
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway
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Managing the transition from purebred to rotational crossbred dairy cattle herds: three technical pathways from a retrospective case-study analysis. Animal 2020; 14:1293-1303. [PMID: 31959276 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731119003458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing interest in rotational crossbreeding in Western countries is due to its potential to improve reproductive and health performances of cows. Although a large amount of research focuses on assessing crossbred cows' performances, how to manage the transition from purebred to rotational crossbred herds is under-explored. Based on a retrospective analysis of French dairy herd case studies, we aimed to identify and characterise technical pathways to make such a transition. In 2018, we performed semi-directive interviews on 26 commercial dairy farms. Data were collected to describe changes in breeding, replacement and culling management practices from the first crossbred mating with purebred cows to the management of a mainly crossbred herd in 2018. Based on a multivariate analysis, we identified two main guidelines structuring technical pathways to move towards rotational crossbred herds: (i) the depth and scale of change (i.e. farm v. herd) associated with the introduction of rotational crossbreeding in the whole-farm dynamics and (ii) the changes in herd replacement and breeding practices to adapt to the evolution of herd demographics induced by the evolution of the dairy crossbred mating rate over time (high from the beginning v. distributed over time). Hierarchical clustering discriminated three groups of farmers differing in their technical pathway to move towards a rotational crossbred herd. In pathway 1, farmers customised one or several rotational crossbreeding schemes to support whole-farm transition towards an organic or grass-based system. Once the scheme stabilised, they quickly implemented it and had to readjust replacement and culling practices to regulate imbalance in herd demographics induced by the improvement in cow fertility. In pathway 2, farmers also customised one or several rotational crossbreeding schemes to support whole-farm redesign but they implemented it more gradually in the herd, which induced no major imbalance in herd demographics. In pathway 3, farmers predefined a relatively well-known rotational crossbreeding scheme to correct fertility issues of purebred cows without any changes at the farm level. They implemented it quickly from the beginning and had to adapt herd replacement and culling to regulate imbalance in herd demographics induced by the improvement in cow fertility. These first empirical evidences on how dairy farmers manage the transition from a purebred to rotational crossbred herd provide original scientific and operational contributions.
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Clasen J, Fikse W, Kargo M, Rydhmer L, Strandberg E, Østergaard S. Economic consequences of dairy crossbreeding in conventional and organic herds in Sweden. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:514-528. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Knob DA, Scholz AM, Alessio DRM, Mendes BPB, Perazzoli L, Kappes R, Thaler Neto A. Reproductive and productive performance, udder health, and conformation traits of purebred Holstein, F1, and R1 crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 52:1639-1647. [PMID: 31848833 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-02174-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive performance, milk yield and composition, and udder health and conformation traits of Holstein (Ho), F1, and R1 crossbred Ho × Simmental (Sim) cows. Three commercial dairy farms in south Brazil were used as the research units. All farms held Ho, F1, and R1 crossbred Ho × Sim (¾ Ho × ¼ Sim and ¾ Sim × ¼ Ho) cows. The collection of milk samples and evaluation of udder conformation traits occurred during four visits to each farm. In addition to the actively collected data, retrospective reproduction records of the farms served as the basis for the statistical analysis using analysis of variance models using SAS. The F1 crossbred Ho × Sim cows and ¾ Sim (first rotational crossbreeding generation = R1 using Sim semen) cows had a shorter calving interval and calving to first service interval compared to the Ho cows (P < 0.0001). Milk yield did not differ among the genetic groups except for R1 (¾ Sim) that produced approximately 10% less milk than the other groups (P = 0.0245). Fat plus protein yield and somatic cell score did not differ among the genetic groups. Ho cows had shallower udders (P < 0.0001) and a higher udder clearance (P < 0.0001) than the other groups. F1 and R1 crossbred Ho × Sim cows had shorter reproduction intervals than purebred Ho cows. Although udder conformation traits lacked high-quality scores in crossbred cows, somatic cell scores reached the same level as in purebred Ho cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deise Aline Knob
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Avenida Luis de Camões, 2090, Lages, Santa Catarina, Cep: 88520-000, Brazil. .,Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Tierärztlichen Fakultät, Lehr- und Versuchsgut Oberschleißheim, St-Hubertus Straße, 12, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | - Armin Manfred Scholz
- Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Tierärztlichen Fakultät, Lehr- und Versuchsgut Oberschleißheim, St-Hubertus Straße, 12, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Dileta Regina Moro Alessio
- Centro Universitário Leonardo da Vinci, Rua Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca, 252, Indaial, Santa Catarina, Cep- 89130-000, Brazil
| | - Bruna Paula Bergamaschi Mendes
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Avenida Luis de Camões, 2090, Lages, Santa Catarina, Cep: 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Laiz Perazzoli
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Avenida Luis de Camões, 2090, Lages, Santa Catarina, Cep: 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Roberto Kappes
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Avenida Luis de Camões, 2090, Lages, Santa Catarina, Cep: 88520-000, Brazil
| | - Andre Thaler Neto
- Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Agroveterinárias, Avenida Luis de Camões, 2090, Lages, Santa Catarina, Cep: 88520-000, Brazil
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Rodríguez-Bermúdez R, Miranda M, Fouz R, Orjales I, Diéguez FJ, Minervino AHH, López-Alonso M. Breed performance in organic dairy farming in Northern Spain. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 55:93-104. [PMID: 31765032 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Organic farm management combines best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, preservation of natural resources and high animal welfare standards. To meet these criteria, farmers must have livestock well adapted to local organic conditions and information about how different breeds and crosses perform under different conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of different pure breeds and cross-breeds of cattle in organic dairy systems in Northern Spain. The data analysed were obtained from monthly records kept between 2010 and 2016 on organic farms registered in the regional milk recording system. Analysis of various traits indicated that the Holstein-Friesian breed suits the organic production system in the study region. Although the reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian cows was poorer (in terms of number of services per conception) than that of cross-breed and Brown Swiss cows, the Holstein-Friesian produced more milk and lived longer. In addition, there was no difference in calving type or calving ease between the different breed groups. The better milk fat and protein yields produced by the crosses may be useful traits for farmers interested in milk transformation. The advantage of continuing to use Holstein-Friesian cattle is that the breed is predominant worldwide, and the genealogy is well documented. If Holstein-Friesian cattle continue to be used, the main priority will be to search for well-adapted bulls (particularly for pasture-based conditions) and to elaborate a genetic merit index for organic and pasture-based systems with the aim of predicting and minimizing genotype × environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Rodríguez-Bermúdez
- Departamento de Patoloxía Animal, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Marta Miranda
- Departamento de Anatomía, Produción Animal e Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Orjales
- Departamento de Anatomía, Produción Animal e Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Diéguez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Produción Animal e Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | | | - Marta López-Alonso
- Departamento de Patoloxía Animal, Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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Valldecabres A, Pires JAA, Silva-Del-Río N. Cow-level factors associated with subclinical hypocalcemia at calving in multiparous Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:8367-8375. [PMID: 31301839 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-16180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of our study was to identify cow-level factors associated with subclinical hypocalcemia at calving (SCH) in multiparous Jersey cows. A total of 598 Jersey and 218 Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows from 2 commercial dairy herds were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Blood samples to determine total Ca concentration were collected from the coccygeal vessels at 3 h 19 min (±2 h 33 min) after calving. We used 2 serum Ca concentration thresholds to define SCH: <2.00 mmol/L (SCH-2.00) and <2.12 mmol/L (SCH-2.12). We evaluated the association of cow-level factors with SCH with multivariable Poisson regression models. Variables evaluated for association with SCH were herd; parity (2, 3, and ≥4); breed; previous lactation length and 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield; previous lactation first test milk yield and last test somatic cell count; lengths of calving interval, gestation, dry, and close-up periods; body condition and locomotion scores at calving; calving ease; and calf sex for singletons. We categorized continuous variables into quartiles (≤25th percentile, interquartile range and ≥75th percentile). The prevalence of SCH among Jersey cows was 40 (SCH-2.00) and 64% (SCH-2.12). Jersey cows of higher parity had greater risk of SCH-2.00 and SCH-2.12. The risk of SCH-2.12 was higher after birthing male calves. We also found a tendency for previous lactation length and previous lactation 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield effect to affect risk of SCH-2.12. The risk of SCH-2.12 was lower for cows that had a previous lactation length shorter than the 25th percentile compared with cows that had a previous lactation length within the interquartile range. The risk of SCH-2.12 was higher for cows that had a previous lactation 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield below the 25th percentile compared with cows that had a previous lactation 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield above the 75th percentile. Also, Jersey × Holstein crossbreed was associated with increased risk of SCH-2.00. In the multivariable analysis, we observed no association between SCH and previous lactation first test milk yield; last test somatic cell count; lengths of calving interval, gestation, dry, and close-up periods; body condition and locomotion scores at calving; and calving ease. Our study identified parity, breed, calf sex, previous lactation length, and previous lactation 305-d mature-equivalent milk yield as cow-level factors associated with SCH in multiparous Jersey cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Valldecabres
- Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, 18830 Road 112, Tulare, CA 93274
| | - J A A Pires
- INRA, Université Clermont Auvergne, VetAgro Sup, UMR1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genes-Champanelle, France
| | - N Silva-Del-Río
- Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, 18830 Road 112, Tulare, CA 93274; Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
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49
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Dunne F, McParland S, Kelleher M, Walsh S, Berry D. How herd best linear unbiased estimates affect the progress achievable from gains in additive and nonadditive genetic merit. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:5295-5304. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-16119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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50
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Clasen JB, Fogh A, Kargo M. Differences between performance of F 1 crossbreds and Holsteins at different production levels. J Dairy Sci 2018; 102:436-441. [PMID: 30415848 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Crossbreeding in dairy cattle has recently become of increased interest. However, farmers in Scandinavian countries are reluctant to implement crossbreeding in their herds, and one reason is the common opinion that only herds at a poor level of management can benefit from crossbreeding. The Danish Cattle Database (SEGES, Aarhus, Denmark) provided data on 14 traits regarding milk yield, udder health, fertility traits, stillbirth, and survival. The data were collected from 103,307 pure Holstein cows and 14,832 F1 crosses (Holstein dam and Nordic Red sire). The cows were born between 2008 and 2014 and originated from 424 herds that contributed data from at least 5 purebreds and 5 crossbreds across the years. We split the animals into 3 production levels: high, average, and low according to the herd's average production (kg) of 305-d fat plus protein in the given birth year of the cow. We estimated least squares means of breed group (purebred and crossbred) performance within each production level. Crossbred performance in 305-d fat yield in first-parity cows was greater than that of Holstein across all herd production levels; the gain was greater in high- (9 kg more than Holstein) and average-producing herds (7 kg more than Holstein) than in low-producing herds (3 kg more than Holstein). Regardless of production level or parity, crossbreds did not outperform Holstein in terms of 305-d protein yield (0 to 8 kg less). Crossbreds had relatively better udder health than Holstein in both first and second parity (up to 15% less mastitis) within any of the production levels. In terms of fertility, stillbirth, and survival, crossbreds performed better than purebreds, and improved performance was independent of herd production level. We conclude that differences in performance between F1 crossbreds and Holstein are independent of production level.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Clasen
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7023, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - A Fogh
- SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - M Kargo
- SEGES, Agro Food Park 15, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, PO Box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark
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