• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.7
• /
• pp.923-927
• /
• 2008

The objective of this study was to compare random regression model and multiple trait animal model estimates of the (co) variance of total sperm cells over the active lifetime of AI boars. Data were provided by Smithfield Premium Genetics (Rose Hill, NC). Total number of records and animals for the random regression model were 19,629 and 1,736, respectively. Data for multiple trait animal model analyses were edited to include only records produced at 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27 months of age. For the multiple trait method estimates of genetic and residual variance for total sperm cells were heterogeneous among age classifications. When comparing multiple trait method to random regression, heritability estimates were similar except for total sperm cells at 24 months of age. The multiple trait method also resulted in higher estimates of heritability of total sperm cells at every age when compared to random regression results. Random regression analysis provided more detail with regard to changes of variance components with age. Random regression methods are the most appropriate to analyze semen traits as they are longitudinal data measured over the lifetime of boars.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.575-579
• /
• 2000

First lactation records of 683 Murrah buffaloes maintained at NDRI, Karnal which were progeny of 84 sires used for comparing the heritability estimates of age at first calving, first lactation milk yield and first service period under single and multiple trait models using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method of estimation under an individual animal model. The results indicated that the heritability estimates may vary under single and multiple trait models depending upon the magnitude of genetic and environmental correlation among the traits being considered. Therefore, a single or multiple trait model is recommended for estimation of variance components depending upon the goal of breeding programme. However, there may not be any advantage of considering a trait with zero or near zero heritability and having no or very low genetic correlation with other traits in the model. Lower heritability estimates of part lactation yield (120-day milk yield) implied that there may not be any advantage of considering this trait in place of actual 305-day milk yield, whereas, comparable heritability estimates of predicted 305-day milk yield suggested that it could be used for sire evaluation to reduce the cost of milk recording under field conditions.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for worm resistance (WR) and associated characteristics, using the linear-threshold animal model via Bayesian inference in single- and multiple-trait analyses. Methods: Data were collected from a herd of Santa Inês breed sheep. All information was collected with animals submitted to natural contamination conditions. All data (number of eggs per gram of feces [FEC], Famacha score [FS], body condition score [BCS], and hematocrit [HCT]) were collected on the same day. The animals were weighed individually on the day after collection (after 12-h fasting). The WR trait was defined by the multivariate cluster analysis, using the FEC, HCT, BCS, and FS of material collected from naturally infected sheep of the Santa Inês breed. The variance components and genetic parameters for the WR, FEC, HCT, BCS, and FS traits were estimated using the Bayesian inference under the linear and threshold animal model. Results: A low magnitude was obtained for repeatability of worm-related traits. The mean values estimated for heritability were of low-to-high (0.05 to 0.88) magnitude. The FEC, HCT, BCS, FS, and body weight traits showed higher heritability (although low magnitude) in the multiple-trait model due to increased information about traits. All WR characters showed a significant genetic correlation, and heritability estimates ranged from low (0.44; single-trait model) to high (0.88; multiple-trait model). Conclusion: Therefore, we suggest that FS be included as a criterion of ovine genetic selection for endoparasite resistance using the trait defined by multivariate cluster analysis, as it will provide greater genetic gains when compared to any single trait. In addition, its measurement is easy and inexpensive, exhibiting greater heritability and repeatability and a high genetic correlation with the trait of resistance to worms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.11
• /
• pp.1525-1528
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to detect SNPs that were responsible for a carcass trait in Hanwoo populations. A non-parametric model applying a restricted partition method (RPM) was used, which exploited a partitioning algorithm considering statistical criteria for multiple comparison testing. Phenotypic and genotypic data were obtained from the Hanwoo Improvement Center, National Agricultural Cooperation Federation, Korea, in which the pedigree structure comprised 229 steers from 16 paternal half-sib proven sires that were born in Namwon or Daegwanryong livestock testing station between spring of 2002 and fall of 2003. A carcass trait, longissimus dorsi muscle area for each steer was measured after slaughter at approximately 722 days. Three SNPs (19_1, 18_4 and 28_2) near the microsatellite marker ILSTS035 on BTA6, around which the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for meat quality were previously detected, were used in this study. The RPM analyses resulted in two significant interaction effects between SNPs (19_1 and 18_4) and (19_1 and 28_2) at ${\alpha}$ = 0.05 level. However, under a general linear (parametric) model no interaction effect between any pair of the three SNPs was detected, while only one main effect for SNP19_1 was found for the trait. Also, under another non-parametric model using a multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method, only one interaction effect of the two SNPs (19_1 and 28_2) explained the trait significantly better than the parametric model with the main effect of SNP19_1. Our results suggest that RPM is a good alternative to model choices that can find associations of the interaction effects of multiple SNPs for quantitative traits in livestock species.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.12
• /
• pp.1785-1795
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study was to estimate heritabilities, additive genetic correlations, and phenotypic correlations between number of piglets born alive (NBA), litter birth weight (LTBW), number of piglets weaned (NPW) and litter weaning weight (LTWW) in different parities of Landrace (L), Yorkshire (Y), Landrace×Yorkshire (LY), and Yorkshire×Landrace (YL) sows in a commercial swine operation in Northern Thailand. Methods: Two models were utilized, a single trait repeatability model (RM) and a multiple trait animal model (MTM). The RM assumed reproductive records from different parities to be repeated values of the same trait, whereas the MTM assumed these records to be different traits. The two models accounted for the fixed effects of farrowing year-season, genetic group of the sow, heterosis, and age at first farrowing, and the random effects of sow, boar, and residual. Results: Heritability estimates from RM were 0.02±0.01 for NBA, 0.10±0.01 for LTBW, 0.04±0.01 for NPW, and 0.11±0.01 for LTWW. Heritability estimates from MTM fluctuated across parities, ranging from 0.04±0.01 in parity 2 to 0.09±0.02 in parity 4 for NBA, 0.07±0.02 in parity 2 to 0.16±0.02 in parity 3 for LTBW, 0.04±0.02 in parity 4 to 0.08±0.01 in parity 1 for NPW, and 0.16±0.02 in parity 1 to 0.20±0.02 in parity 2 for LTWW. Additive genetic correlation estimates from MTM were also variable, ranging from 0.29±0.24 between NBA in parity 1 and NBA in parity 2 to 0.99±0.05 between LTWW in parity 3 and LTWW in parity 4. Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the advantage of using MTM for the genetic improvement of reproductive traits in swine and contribute to the development of sustainable swine breeding programs in Thailand.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.399-403
• /
• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the basic concept of multiple trait effective daughter contribution (MTEDC) for dairy cattle sires and calculate effective daughter contribution (EDC) by applying a five lactation multiple trait model using milk yield test records of daughters for the Multiple-trait Across Country Evaluation (MACE). Milk yield data and pedigree information of 301,551 cows that were the progeny of 2,046 Korean and imported dairy bulls were collected from the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and used in this study. For MTEDC approximation, the reliability of the breeding value was separated based on parents average, own yield deviation and mate adjusted progeny contribution. EDC was then calculated by lactation using these reliabilities. The average number of recorded daughters per sire by lactations were 140.57, 94.24, 55.14, 29.20 and 14.06 from the first to fifth lactation, respectively. However, the average EDC per sire by lactation using the five lactation multiple trait model was 113.49, 89.28, 73.56, 54.02 and 35.08 from the first to fifth lactation, respectively, while the decrease of EDC in late lactations was comparably lower than the average number of recorded daughters per sire. These findings indicate that the availability of daughters without late lactation records is increased by genetic correlation using the multiple trait model. Owing to the relatedness between the EDC and reliability of the estimated breeding value for sire, understanding the MTEDC algorithm and continuous monitoring of EDC is required for correct MACE application of the five lactation multiple trait model.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.303-310
• /
• 2015

The study was conducted to analyze the genetic parameters of somatic cell score (SCS) of Holstein cows, which is an important indicator to udder health. Test-day records of somatic cell counts (SCC) of 305-day lactation design from first to fifth lactations were collected on Holsteins in Korea during 2000 to 2012. Records of animals within 18 to 42 months, 30 to 54 months, 42 to 66 months, 54 to 78 months, and 66 to 90 months of age at the first, second, third, fourth and fifth parities were analyzed, respectively. Somatic cell scores were calculated, and adjusted for lactation production stages by Wilmink's function. Lactation averages of SCS ($LSCS_1$ through $LSCS_5$) were derived by further adjustments of each test-day SCS for five age groups in particular lactations. Two datasets were prepared through restrictions on number of sires/herd and dams/herd, progenies/sire, and number of parities/cow to reduce data size and attain better relationships among animals. All LSCS traits were treated as individual trait and, analyzed through multiple-trait sire models and single trait animal models via VCE 6.0 software package. Herd-year was fitted as a random effect. Age at calving was regressed as a fixed covariate. The mean LSCS of five lactations were between 3.507 and 4.322 that corresponded to a SCC range between 71,000 and 125,000 cells/mL; with coefficient of variation from 28.2% to 29.9%. Heritability estimates from sire models were within the range of 0.10 to 0.16 for all LSCS. Heritability was the highest at lactation 2 from both datasets (0.14/0.16) and lowest at lactation 5 (0.11/0.10) using sire model. Heritabilities from single trait animal model analyses were slightly higher than sire models. Genetic correlations between LSCS traits were strong (0.62 to 0.99). Very strong associations (0.96 to 0.99) were present between successive records of later lactations. Phenotypic correlations were relatively weaker (<0.55). All correlations became weaker at distant lactations. The estimated breeding values (EBVs) of LSCS traits were somewhat similar over the years for a particular lactation, but increased with lactation number increment. The lowest EBV in first lactation indicated that selection for SCS (mastitis resistance) might be better with later lactation records. It is expected that results obtained from these multi-trait lactation model analyses, being the first large scale SCS data analysis in Korea, would create a good starting step for application of advanced statistical tools for future genomic studies focusing on selection for mastitis resistance in Holsteins of Korea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.1015-1018
• /
• 1999

Single trait mixed models have been dominantly utilized for genetic evaluation of the reproductive traits in swine. However employing multiple trait approach may lead to more accurate genetic evaluations. For 5 litter size and litter weight traits of Danish Landrace, genetic parameters were estimated with a multiple trait mixed model. The heritability estimates were 0.02, 0.03, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07, respectively for litter size at birth, litter size born alive, litter weight at birth, litter size at weaning, and litter weight at weaning. Negative genetic correlations were all positive. The litter weight at birth showed genetic antagonism with litter size born alive (-0.65) and litter size at weaning (-0.31), but positive with litter size at birth (0.47) and litter weight at weaning (0.31). The estimates of environmental correlations were larger than their corresponding genetic correlation estimates except for those between litter weight at birth and the other four traits. This study recommends simultaneous selection for two or more traits with multivariate mixed models in order to improve overall economic response.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.20-25
• /
• 2021

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the possibility of utilizing an early litter size trait as an indirect selection trait for longevity and to estimate genetic parameters between sow stayability and litter size at different parities using a linear-threshold model for longevity in Thai Large White (LW) and Landrace (LR) populations. Methods: The data included litter size at first, second, and third parities (NBA1, NBA2, and NBA3) and sow stayability from first to fourth farrowings (STAY14). The data was obtained from 10,794 LR and 9,475 LW sows. Genetic parameters were estimated using the multiple-trait animal model. A linear-threshold model was used in which NBA1, NBA2, and NBA3 were continuous traits, while STAY14 was considered a binary trait. Results: Heritabilities for litter size were low and ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 for both LR and LW breeds. Similarly, heritabilities for stayability were low for both breeds. Genetic associations between litter size and stayability ranged from 0.43 to 0.65 for LR populations and 0.12 to 0.55 for LW populations. The genetic correlation between NBA1 and STAY14 was moderate and in a favorable direction for both LR and LW breeds (0.65 and 0.55, respectively). Conclusion: A linear-threshold model could be utilized to analyze litter size and sow stayability traits. Furthermore, selection for litter size at first parity, which was the genetic trait correlated with longevity, is possible when one attempts to improve lifetime productivity in Thai swine populations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.914-918
• /
• 2004

The random regression model methodology was applied into the estimation of genetic parameters for body weights in Chinese Simmental cattle to replace the traditional multiple trait models. The variance components were estimated using Gibbs sampling procedure on Bayesion theory. The data were extracted for Chinese Simmental cattle born during 1980 to 2000 from 6 national breeding farms, where records from 3 months to 36 months were only used in this study. A 3 orders Legendre polynomial was defined as the submodel to describe the general law of that body weight changing with months of age in population. The heritabilities of body weights from 3 months to 36 months varied between 0.31 and 0.48, where the heritabilities from 3 months to 12 months slightly decreased with months of age but ones from 13 months to 36 months increased with months of age. Specially, the heritabilities at eighteenth and twenty-fourth month of age were 0.33 and 0.36, respectively, which were slightly greater than 0.30 and 0.31 from multiple trait models. In addition, the genetic and phenotypic correlations between body weights at different month ages were also obtained using regression model.