Genetic associations between reproductive and linear-type traits of Holstein cows in Brazil

This study aimed to estimate heritability, genetic, and residual correlations between reproductive traits such as age at first calving, calving interval, dry period, and first service period and linear type traits measured in Holstein cows born between the years 1990 and 2008 in Brazil. The (co)variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood, using the MTDFREML software. The heritability for reproductive traits and linear-type traits ranged from 0.02 to 0.03 and from 0.07 to 0.40, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations between reproductive and linear-type traits ranged from -0.23 (top line) to 0.28 (angularity) to age at first calving, from -0.54 (final score) to 0.34 (foot angle) to calving interval, from -0.23 (angularity) to 0.56 (stature) to dry period, and from -0.52 (final score) to 0.36 (height udder) to first service period. Direct selection for any of the reproductive traits implies low genetic gains by virtue of their low heritabilities. Among the linear-type traits, the final score, chest width, top line, angularity, teat length, udder attachment, rear teat placement were highlighted as good auxiliary traits to improve reproductive efficiency of Holstein cows in Brazil. The simultaneous selection for reproductive and linear-type traits can lead a higher genetic progress in the reproductive traits

Genetic parameters and genetic trends for production traits in dairy Gir cattle

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to estimate genetic parameters and genetic trends (GT) for 305-day milk yield (MY305) and 305-day fat yield (FY305) of purebred Dairy Gir animals of the National Dairy Gir Breeding Program. The restricted maximum likelihood method was used in an animal model. GT were obtained via linear regression and divided into two periods (1935-1992 and 1993-2013 for PL305; 1935-1992 and 1993-2010 for MY305). The estimated heritabilities were 0.23 (MY305) and 0.10 (FY305). The GT (kg/year) values for MY305 in the 2nd period for measured females (25.49), females (26.11), and males (35.13) were higher than those found in the 1st period (2.52; 2.06, and 1.00, respectively). The heritability estimated for MY305 confirmed the possibility of genetic improvement by selection and indicated a lower additive genetic effect on FY305 of purebred animals. The genetic progress for MY305 in all purebred population is denoted by the more expressive gains found from 1990’s, when the first bull catalogs were published

Infrared thermography as a method for evaluating the heat tolerance in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine whether infrared thermography is a useful tool for the recognition of dairy cows in a state of thermal heat stress, as well as to identify the best region of the animal to be evaluated for this recognition. Physiological variables, including rectal temperature, respiratory frequency, cardiac frequency, and panting score were recorded in 38 lactating cows. For the assessment of environmental parameters, a digital black globe thermometer (TGD-200 model) was used. Thermographic photographs of different regions of the body of cows were taken using an infrared camera (FLIR® System T300) and indicated respective superficial temperature. Physiological variables and superficial body temperature in different regions varied between genetic groups (Girolando: ½ Holstein × ½ Gir and ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir; purebred Holstein). The environmental temperature ranged from 20.7 to 37.9 °C with a relative humidity reaching 95%. The mean rectal temperature (40.84 °C), respiratory frequency (111.36 breaths/min), and cardiac frequency (99.22 beats/min) were higher for pure Holstein than for Girolando cows. Positive correlations were found between the physiological parameters and thermographic measures. The highest positive correlation (0.74) was found between the temperature in the lateral region of the udder and rectal temperature. Thermography is a good indicator of thermal comfort. The best region to identify heat stress in cows using thermography is the lateral region of the udder

Use of infrared thermography to assess heat tolerance in dairy cattle subjected to heat stress

É necessário compreendermos como os animais domésticos respondem aos fatores estressores climáticos na tentativa de amenizar a ação prejudicial das variáveis climáticas responsáveis pelo estresse térmico pelo calor. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar se a termografia infravermelha poderia ser utilizada no reconhecimento dos animais sob estresse térmico pelo calor, bem como identificar qual a melhor região do animal utilizada para esse reconhecimento. Foram utilizadas 38 vacas em lactação das raças Holandês e Girolando submetidas ao estresse térmico pelo calor. A pesquisa foi conduzida na Embrapa Gado de Leite em Coronel Pacheco-MG. A coleta de dados foi feita separadamente para cada raça. Os parâmetros fisiológicos coletados foram: temperatura retal, frequência respiratória, frequência cardíaca e escore de ofegação. Para avaliação dos parâmetros ambientais utilizou-se um termômetro de globo digital modelo TGD-200. Para obtenção das imagens termográficas de diferentes regiões do corpo dos animais, utilizou-se uma câmera infravermelha (FLIR® System T300). As temperaturas ambientais variaram de 20,7°C a 37,9°C com umidade relativa chegando a 95%. Verificou-se através da termografia infravermelha a maior sensibilidade ao estresse por calor para a raça Holandês. As temperaturas obtidas pelo termógrafo mostraram-se indicadores das condições de conforto térmico. A melhor região para identificar a situação de estresse pelo calor no animal foi à região do úbere.It is necessary to understand how domestic animals respond to climate stressors in attempt mitigate the harmful effects of climate variables responsible for heat stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether infrared thermography could be used in the recognition of animals in a state of heat stress, as well as identifying how best region of the animal used for this recognition. Was used 38 cows in lactating Holstein Friesian and Girolando breeds, under heat stress. The research was conducted at Embrapa Gado de Leite in the municipality of Coronel Pacheco in the state of Minas Gerais. Data collection was done separately for each breed. The physiological parameters collected were: rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and panting score. For assessment of environmental parameters we used a globe thermometer digital model (TGD-200). To obtain the thermograph photographs of different regions of the body of animals, we used an infrared camera (FLIR® System T300). The environmental temperature ranged from 20.7°C to 37.9°C with a relative humidity reaching 95%. It was found by infrared thermography increased sensitivity to heat stress for Holstein Friesian. The thermograph temperatures proved indicators of thermal comfort. The best region to identify heat stress in cows was udder region

Use of infrared thermography to assess heat tolerance in dairy cattle subjected to heat stress

É necessário compreendermos como os animais domésticos respondem aos fatores estressores climáticos na tentativa de amenizar a ação prejudicial das variáveis climáticas responsáveis pelo estresse térmico pelo calor. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi verificar se a termografia infravermelha poderia ser utilizada no reconhecimento dos animais sob estresse térmico pelo calor, bem como identificar qual a melhor região do animal utilizada para esse reconhecimento. Foram utilizadas 38 vacas em lactação das raças Holandês e Girolando submetidas ao estresse térmico pelo calor. A pesquisa foi conduzida na Embrapa Gado de Leite em Coronel Pacheco-MG. A coleta de dados foi feita separadamente para cada raça. Os parâmetros fisiológicos coletados foram: temperatura retal, frequência respiratória, frequência cardíaca e escore de ofegação. Para avaliação dos parâmetros ambientais utilizou-se um termômetro de globo digital modelo TGD-200. Para obtenção das imagens termográficas de diferentes regiões do corpo dos animais, utilizou-se uma câmera infravermelha (FLIR® System T300). As temperaturas ambientais variaram de 20,7°C a 37,9°C com umidade relativa chegando a 95%. Verificou-se através da termografia infravermelha a maior sensibilidade ao estresse por calor para a raça Holandês. As temperaturas obtidas pelo termógrafo mostraram-se indicadores das condições de conforto térmico. A melhor região para identificar a situação de estresse pelo calor no animal foi à região do úbere.It is necessary to understand how domestic animals respond to climate stressors in attempt mitigate the harmful effects of climate variables responsible for heat stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether infrared thermography could be used in the recognition of animals in a state of heat stress, as well as identifying how best region of the animal used for this recognition. Was used 38 cows in lactating Holstein Friesian and Girolando breeds, under heat stress. The research was conducted at Embrapa Gado de Leite in the municipality of Coronel Pacheco in the state of Minas Gerais. Data collection was done separately for each breed. The physiological parameters collected were: rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and panting score. For assessment of environmental parameters we used a globe thermometer digital model (TGD-200). To obtain the thermograph photographs of different regions of the body of animals, we used an infrared camera (FLIR® System T300). The environmental temperature ranged from 20.7°C to 37.9°C with a relative humidity reaching 95%. It was found by infrared thermography increased sensitivity to heat stress for Holstein Friesian. The thermograph temperatures proved indicators of thermal comfort. The best region to identify heat stress in cows was udder region

Heterosis in the lactation curves of Girolando cattle

O efeito da heterose na produção de leite é de suma importância nos cruzamentos obtidos entre animais de raças europeias e zebuínas. Contudo, são inexistentes pesquisas que comprovem o efeito da heterose sobre os componentes da curva de lactação nos diferentes grupos genéticos da raça Girolando. Objetivou-se utilizar diferentes modelos matemáticos para melhor descrever a curva de lactação a fim de avaliar o efeito de heterose sobre os componentes da curva de lactação dessa população, bem como avaliar o impacto da inclusão do efeito da heterose no modelo sobre as estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para produção de leite até 305 dias obtidas via método REML. Os modelos linear e não linear de Wood, Wilmink e Ali e Shaeffer foram ajustados aos registros produtivos de controles mensais, para posterior estimar forma individual e conjunta (média), o pico de lactação, tempo ao pico, persistência, produção total de leite até 305 dias e os parâmetros específicos dos modelos relacionados com curva de lactação (produção inicial e taxa de decréscimo da produção). Na comparação de todos esses modelos matemáticos quanto à qualidade de ajustamento foram utilizados os critérios RMSE, AIC e BIC No geral, observou-se que a qualidade de ajuste dos modelos diferiu conforme o grupo genético. Foi observado efeito de heterose (P<0,001) para a maioria dos componentes que compõem a curva de lactação, com exceção de algumas medidas de persistência. Dentre os componentes da curva de lactação, o pico de lactação foi o que apresentou efeito de heterose mais expressivo, explicando parcialmente a heterose (20% a 23%) observada na produção de leite até 305 dias. As estimativas de herdabilidade para a produção de leite até 305 dias ajustada ou não pelos modelos matemáticos não lineares quase não variaram (0,14 à 0,20). Verificou-se ainda que a maioria dos grupos genéticos apresentaram efeito de heterose para a produção de leite até 305 dias, porém os maiores efeitos ocorreram em vacas 1/2H com 1112,73 kg a mais em relação à média de seus pais puros. Assim, pode se concluir que os benefícios da heterose para a raça Girolando são evidentes e mostram ser mais relacionados com os componentes da fase inicial da curva da lactação refletindo na expressão da heterose para a produção de leite até 305 dias, principal característica da atividade leiteira.The effect of heterosis on milk yield is fundamental in cross breeding between European breeds and zebu. However, there is a lack of studies on the heterosis effect of the components of lactation curve in the different crossbred genetic groups of Girolando Cattle. The objective was to use different mathematical models to better describe the lactation curve in order to evaluate the effect of heterosis on the components of the lactation curve of this population, as well as to evaluate the impact of the inclusion of the heterosis effect in the model on the estimation of the genetic parameters for 305-day milk yield obtained by REML method. Wood’s, Wilmink’s, and Ali and Shaeffer’s models were fitted to the monthly test day milk yield records, to estimate individual and joint (average) shape, peak yield, time to peak, persistency, 305-day milk yield and the specific parameters of the models associated to the lactation curve (initial stage of lactation and rate of decrease of production). RMSE, AIC, and BIC criteria were used in order to compare the quality of fit of the different mathematical models. In general, the quality of fit of the models differed in the genetic groups The effect of heterosis was significant (P <0.001) for most of the components that of the lactation curve, with the exception of some measures of persistency. Among the components of the lactation curve, the peak of lactation presented the most expressive heterosis effect, which partially could explain the heterosis (20% to 23%) on 305-day milk yield. Estimates of heritability for 305-day milk yield presented a low variation (0.14 to 0.20). Most of the groups presented heterosis effect for 305-day milk yield, but the highest effects were on 1/2H cows. The 305-day milk yield of 1/2H was 1112.73 kg higher than that in the average between parental pure breeds. Thus, it can be concluded that the benefits of heterosis to the Girolando breed are evident. The heterosis is associated to the components of the initial stage of the lactation curve, which is reflected in the expression of heterosis for 305-day milk yield, the most important trait of economic interest in Brazil