A meta-analysis of genetic parameter estimates for milk and serum minerals in dairy cows

Abstract

This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis based on a random-effects model to combine different published heritability estimates and genetic correlations for milk and serum minerals in dairy cows. In total, 59 heritability and 25 genetic correlation estimates from 12 articles published between 2009 and 2021 were used. The heritability estimates for milk macro-minerals were moderate to high and ranged from 0.311 (for Na) to 0.420 (for Ca). On the other hand, milk micro-minerals had lower heritabilities with a range from 0.013 (for Fe) to 0.373 (for Zn). The heritability estimates for serum macro-minerals were generally low and varied from 0.126 (for K) to 0.206 (for Mg). The estimates of genetic correlation between milk macro-minerals varied from −0.024 (between Na and K) to 0.625 (between Mg and P). The genetic correlations of milk Ca and P with milk yield were −0.171 and −0.211, respectively. The estimates of genetic parameters reported in this meta-analysis study are appropriate to utilize in breeding plans when valid estimates are not available for milk minerals in dairy cow populations.