Response to selection for milk yield in Holsteins

Genetic parameters and responses of linear type, yield traits, and somatic cell scores to divergent selection for predicted transmitting ability for type in Holsteins

The objective was to examine the direct and correlated responses of linear type, yield traits, and somatic cell scores (SCS) to divergent selection for predicted transmitting ability for type (PTAT) in Holsteins, while maintaining selection for yield traits across lines. For four generations, one-half of the University of Nebraska research Holstein herd was bred to Holstein sires with PTAT > 1.50 and the other half to sires with PTAT < 1.25, with nearly equal predicted transmitting abilities for yield traits for both groups. Estimates of genetic and residual correlations and heritabilities were obtained from REML estimates of (co)variance components. Model for type traits included fixed effect of date cows were classified, effects of age in days at freshening, and stage of lactation at classification. Year-season when cows freshened was fixed effect in model for yield and SCS. Animal genetic and residual effects were random. Final score, milk, fat, and protein yields, and SCS had heritability estimates of 0.38, 0.13,0.22, 0.09, and 0.38, respectively. Heritability estimates for type traits ranged from 0.04 to 0.52. Estimates of genetic correlations of final score with SCS and milk, fat, and protein yields were -0.64, 0.01, -0.18, and 0.06, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations among linear type traits ranged from -0.77 to 1.00. Means of estimated breeding values for final score, stature, strength, body depth, fore udder attachment, rear udder height and width, udder cleft, udder depth, and front teat placement were significantly different between lines in the third generation. Milk, fat, and protein yields were not significantly different between lines in third generation, whereas SCS was significantly different. Estimate of genetic correlation between final score and SCS suggest that selection on PTAT would result in a change for SCS. In this study, divergent selection on PTAT of sires had a significant effect on udder and body traits, but little or no effect on feet and leg traits.

Casein secretion and cytological differentiation in mammary tissue from bulls of high or low genetic merit

We evaluated tissue content and secretion of milk proteins by mammary parenchymal explants prepared from tissue of mature Holstein bulls as a possible index for genetic merit. Explants from eight selection-line and eight control-line bulls were cultured for 48 or 96 h in medium with 5% fetal bovine serum with or without the addition of lactogenic hormones. Four selection-line and four control-line bulls were also treated for 7 d with estrogen and progesterone or placebo before tissue was removed on d 15 of the experiment. Overall, tissue content and secretion of casein were increased approximately twofold in selection-line bulls. Differences between genetic lines were evident only with the addition of lactogenic hormones. However, treatment of bulls with steroids was not necessary for casein secretion or detection of differences between genetic lines. Averaged for both lines, 96-h media concentrations of casein were 89-fold greater for explants cultured with added lactogenic hormones. Epithelial cells were classified as nonsecretory, droplet-containing, or degenerated. The appearance of droplet-containing cells was markedly increased in cultures supplemented with lactogenic hormones, and the cells were most often located within epithelial folds or pockets. Only occasionally did we observe areas of alveolar-like tissue. The data demonstrate that it is possible to induce the secretion of casein in mammary explants prepared from sexually mature bulls, that lactogenic hormones markedly stimulate secretion, and that differences in genetic merit may be expressed.

Genetic trends for milk yield of Jerseys and correlated changes in productive and reproductive performance

Estimates of genetic trends in 24 measures of milk and constituent yields, somatic cell counts, and reproduction were obtained from 935 records of 374 Jerseys in a single herd. Data were obtained from a designed project for single-trait selection from 1969 through 1987. One line was subjected to selection solely for milk yield and included 259 cows; an unselected control line included 115 cows. Estimates of trends were based on differences in linear phenotypic trends between lines for first lactations, all lactations, and for 305-d and total records. The genetic changes in milk yield for these four data sets were 1.22 to 1.48%/yr (36.8 to 41.0 kg per cow yr) and 0.54 to 1.64%/yr for five constituent yields. Except for the percentages of minerals plus lactose, all constituent percentages decreased by 0.05 to 0.60%/yr. The ratios of protein to fat and solids-not-fat to fat increased 0.30 to 0.54%/yr, respectively. The number of services required per conception increased (0.17%) in first parity records and in all data (0.69%). The intervals from parturition to first estrus and from parturition to first service decreased in first lactation (1.19 and 0.82%) annually but increased (1.25 and 0.01%) in all data. Age of heifers at first estrus decreased by 0.44% annually. Most of the five measures of somatic cells decreased in first lactations but increased for all data. Estimates of realized genetic correlations of 14 measures of constituent yield and composition (four correlations each) agreed well with values expected from the literature. The results quantified change in milk yield, constituent yields and percentages, reproductive performance, and somatic cell counts in a single herd and should prove useful in the development of selection programs for dairy cattle.

Realized versus expected gains in milk and fat production of Holstein cattle, considering the effects of days open

The objective of this study was to determine whether differences in first lactation production, unadjusted or adjusted for days open, were correctly predicted by pedigree estimates for two lines of Holstein cattle. Data on 875 cows from two selection lines were collected from 1970 to 1988. Lines were created by mating foundation females of high or low pedigree merit to sires selected for high or average PTA milk. Both lines were managed identically to minimize environmental differences. The number of days open was analyzed with a fixed effects model containing year, season, interaction of year and season, sire line, foundation group, and interaction of sire line and foundation groups. The high milk line had significantly more days open than did the average line. Adjusted and unadjusted records for milk and fat were analyzed with the model described previously, plus the interaction of sire line and year. Least squares means and estimates for mean parent average were used to calculate realized and expected differences in production between lines within and across years. Adjustment of records for days open reduced estimates of realized gain, but not significantly. Regressions of realized gain on expected gain indicated that expected gains were matched or exceeded by unadjusted or adjusted realized gain.

Direct response in yield and correlated response in components accompanying selection for milk yield in Jerseys

In 1967, the Jersey herd at the Dairy Experiment Station, Lewisburg, TN was divided into two groups on the basis of ancestry, type, and breeding value for milk as part of a project to determine effects of single trait selection for high milk yield on yield and correlated traits. Control group was mated randomly to 20 unproven young sires selected randomly from those available from breeding studs in 1967. Selection group was mated to sires selected solely on the basis of their high transmitting ability for milk. Selection sires were selected at intervals and used for 4 yr. By the end of the project (1984), lactation information was available on 672 daughters (520 selection and 152 control) of 37 bulls (17 selection and 20 control). Differences in breeding values for milk, fat, and fat test as calculated from the PTA reported in the July 1989 USDA genetic evaluations and differences in first lactation mature equivalent production of milk, fat, fat test, and 4% FCM were examined. Linear mixed models were used for all analyses and contained the fixed effects group, generation within group, and year. Sires were random, nested within group, and used to test for group differences. Groups differed for all traits. Selection was superior to control in breeding value for milk and fat (828 and 31 kg) and for production of milk, fat, and 4% FCM (1066, 42, and 1061 kg). Control was superior to selection in breeding value and production fat test (.15 and .12%). Group differences existed within generation class for all yield traits but not for fat percentage. Realized response closely matched or exceeded expected response as estimated from pedigree information.

Measuring genetic change in a dairy herd using a control population

A selection experiment was conducted to assess the change in production resulting from selection with artificial insemination using a randomly maintained control. The experiment continued for 16 yr with approximately 20 lactations in each of the two breeding groups annually. Selection and control production was compared using 1) intraseason herdmate comparisons (weighted) and 2) mixed model maximum likelihood estimates of year-season effects (adjusted). The regressions of differences in milk yield on years for the two approaches were 110 kg for milk (weighted) and 108 kg for milk (adjusted), corrected for inbreeding. The regressions for fat were 3.9 kg for fat (weighted) and 4.2 kg for fat (adjusted). These regression coefficients were 1.6 and 1.5% of the least squares means for milk (6987 kg) and fat (259 kg), respectively. Definitive trends were not evident for differences between the two groups in percent fat, percent SNF, days open, final type classification score, or heart girth. Even with the limited numbers in the closed control population, inbreeding, and nonrandomness in culling of females or in the choice of dams of bulls appeared to have little impact on control mean during the 16 yr.

Genetic methods of improving dairy cattle for the south: a review and prospects from Regional Project S-49

Objectives of Southern Regional Research Project S-49, comprising eight contributing experiment stations, are to determine direct response to selection in milk and the resultant correlated responses in nonyield traits, to define and evaluate selection criteria for total economic merit or profit, to quantify genetic and environmental components of underlying physiological characters responsible for genetic gains in economically important traits, to determine interactions of genotype by environment, and to estimate genetic values for males and females. More than 150 scientific articles from S-49 have been published in journals from 1975 to 1985. These results have contributed in a major way in identifying issues and understanding the genetic control of cow performance and economics of genetic improvement programs.

Correlated response of udder dimensions to selection for milk yield in Holsteins

Response to selection for milk yield in Holsteins was examined by a controlled selection experiment initiated in 1964. Foundation cows were paired by sire and divided randomly into two breeding groups, selection and control. Selection group was mated to four sires each year highest for Predicted Difference milk. Twenty bulls selected in 1964 as near breed average for milk sired all control cows. Milk yield was recorded for each lactation, and height of udder from ground, distances between teats, and perimeter and area bound by the four teats were measured at 30 to 75 days postpartum on 153 selection and 202 control cows over 14 yr. Most estimates of repeatability and heritability of udder dimensions before and after milking were .45 or larger. Correlations with milk yield were negative for udder height and positive for other udder measurements. Selection cows exceeded controls for lactational milk yield. Daughters of high milk bulls had greater distances between teats, greater perimeters, and larger areas of udder floor. Selection cows did not differ from controls in udder height for first parity but were below controls in udder height and had udders that collapsed more for all parities.

Considerations in multiple trait evaluation

Traits of dairy cattle known to contribute to genetic merit are discussed briefly. Focus is on alternative measures and research to reflect more closely genetic pathways of performance because knowledge is expanding about cellular, organ, and animal function. Improved measurement of physiological traits of economic characters portends increased genetic control of animal productivity by considering more alternative traits. Research should clarify multiple trait selection programs to maximize profit. The null hypothesis to test is that selection for milk is optimal index selection for milk income and costs of production.

Environmental and management factors affecting estrous activity in dairy cattle

One thousand periods of estrus of Holstein and Jersey cows and heifers of breeding age during 27 mo were used to evaluate environmental and management factors related to estrous behavior during twice-daily heat checks. Mounting activity at the first observation of estrus was influenced by sire within genetic selection group for milk yield, lactation number, primary housing location, time of day estrus first observed, and maximum temperature the day of estrus. Mean number of times an estrous cow was mounted increased from 6.0 mounts/h in the morning to 7.7 mounts/h in the evening. Barn-housed cattle had 8.7 mounts/h compared to 6.1 and 5.5 for dry-lot and pasture groups. Estrous activity was least for heifers and increased for older cows. Mounting activity increased with increasing maximum daily temperature to approximately 25 degrees C. Only 17.7% of the cattle initially observed in estrus displayed mounting behavior at the 12-h heat check. Estrous activity at 12 h was affected by lactation number and genetic grouping. Daily milk production near estrus was associated with longer duration between heats but had no effect on conception. Lactation number and service number were related to fertility.