A systematic review with meta‐analysis of heritability estimates for temperament‐related traits in beef and dairy cattle populations

Abstract

Temperament (docility) is a key breeding goal in the cattle industry due to its direct relationship with animal welfare, cattle handler's safety and animal productivity. Over the past six decades, numerous studies have reported heritability estimates for temperament‐related traits in cattle populations ranging from low to high values. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive systematic review with meta‐analysis to obtain weighted estimates of heritability for temperament‐related traits in worldwide cattle populations. After data editing and quality control, 106 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 29.2% and 70.8% reported estimates of heritability for temperament‐related traits in dairy and beef cattle populations, respectively. Meta‐analyses were performed for 95 heritability estimates using a random model approach. The weighted heritability estimates were as follow: (a) flight score at weaning = 0.23 (95% CI: 0.15–0.32); (b) flight speed at weaning = 0.30 (95% CI: 0.26–0.33); (c) joint analysis of flight speed and flight score at weaning = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.22–0.31); (d) flight speed at yearling = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.21–0.30); (e) joint analysis of flight speed at weaning and yearling = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.24–0.30); (f) movement score = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.08–0.15); (g) crush score at weaning = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.17–0.25); (h) pen score at weaning = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.19–0.34); (i) pen score at yearling = 0.20 (95% CI: 0.17–0.23); (j) joint analysis of pen score at weaning and yearling = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.18–0.26); (k) cow's aggressiveness at calving = 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01–0.19); (l) general temperament = 0.13 (95% CI: 0.06–0.19); (m) milking temperament = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.11–0.21); and (n) joint analysis of general and milking temperament = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.11–0.18). The heterogeneity index ranged from 0% to 77%, and the Q‐test was significant (p < 0.05) for four single‐trait meta‐analyses. In conclusion, temperament is moderately heritable in beef cattle populations, and flight speed at weaning had the highest weighted heritability estimate. Moreover, between‐study heterogeneity was low or moderate in beef cattle traits, suggesting reasonable standardization across studies. On the other hand, low‐weighted heritability and high between‐study heterogeneity were estimated for temperament‐related traits in dairy cattle, suggesting that more studies are needed to better understand the genetic inheritance of temperament in dairy cattle populations.