Estimates of non-genetic effects and genetic parameters for semen traits in Piemontese bulls

Rostellato, Roberta; Bonfatti, V.; Dias, Victor Augusto Domingos; Savoia, Simone; Spalenza, Verónica; Albera, A.; Carnier, Paolo

doi:10.1016/j.animal.2021.100302

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…A detailed study of the interaction between genetics and environment (age at ejaculation and temperature) may provide useful information for breeding to resist aging and improve heat tolerance. Previous studies estimated genetic parameters in pigs and cattle using transformed semen production records ( Marques et al, 2017 ; Hagiya et al, 2018 ; Rostellato et al, 2021 ). Therefore, it may be necessary to investigate the effect of data transformation on the performance of the analysis, as done by Zoda et al (2021) for superovulatory response traits in Japanese Black cattle.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heritability and genetic correlation estimates of semen production traits with litter traits and pork production traits in purebred Duroc pigs

Ogawa

Kimata²,

Tomiyama³

et al. 2022

Journal of Animal Science

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We estimated heritabilities of semen production traits and their genetic correlations with litter traits and pork production traits in purebred Duroc pigs. Semen production traits were semen volume, sperm concentration, proportion of morphologically normal sperms, total number of sperm, and total number of morphologically normal sperm. Litter traits at farrowing were total number born, number born alive, number stillborn, total litter weight at birth, mean litter weight at birth, and piglet survival rate at birth. Litter traits at weaning were litter size at weaning, total litter weight at weaning, mean litter weight at weaning, and piglet survival rate from birth to weaning. Pork production traits were average daily gain, backfat thickness, and loin muscle area. We analyzed 45,913 semen collection records of 896 boars, 6,950 farrowing performance records of 1,400 sows, 2,237 weaning performance records of 586 sows, and individual growth performance records of 9,550 animals measured at approximately 5 months of age. Heritabilities were estimated using a single-trait animal model. Genetic correlations were estimated using a two-trait animal model. Estimated heritabilities of semen production traits ranged from 0.20 for sperm concentration to 0.29 for semen volume and were equal to or higher than those of litter traits, ranging from 0.06 for number stillborn and piglet survival rate at birth to 0.25 for mean litter weight at birth, but lower than those of pork production traits, ranging from 0.50 for average daily gain to 0.63 for backfat thickness. In many cases, the absolute values of estimated genetic correlations between semen production traits and other traits were smaller than 0.3. These estimated genetic parameters provide useful information for establishing a comprehensive pig breeding scheme.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heritability and genetic correlation estimates of semen production traits with litter traits and pork production traits in purebred Duroc pigs

Ogawa

Kimata²,

Tomiyama³

et al. 2022

Journal of Animal Science

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“…Taking this into account, the correlation between gross and post-thaw motility in this study is, therefore, positive and consistent with previous studies. Data transformation to address non-normal distribution of residuals has previously been reported in semen-quality studies in different animal species such as bulls [ 58 ], and horses [ 59 ]. Studies have also reported the transformation of semen phenotypes does not impact the magnitude of estimated heritability and genetic parameters [ 60 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heritability and Genetic Parameters for Semen Traits in Australian Sheep

Hodge

Rindfleish²,

Heras‐Saldana

et al. 2022

Animals

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Semen characteristics including volume, gross motility, spermatozoal concentration, and percent post-thaw motility are routinely assessed to determine the quality and quantity of an ejaculate prior to use in artificial breeding programs. Currently, artificial breeding programs in sheep place relatively little emphasis on ram-side factors, such as the fertilising potential of an ejaculate, which may contribute to variability in conception outcomes. Estimating genetic parameters for ejaculate quality and quantity traits could provide insights into whether selective breeding can be used to improve such ram-side traits, improving ovine reproductive performance and farm profitability. Therefore, in this study, a total of 11,470 ejaculate records, including data for ejaculate volume, gross motility, spermatozoal concentration, and percent post-thaw motility, collected over a 20-year period was used to estimate genetic parameters in sheep. Univariate and bivariate mixed model analysis was performed including a variety of fixed effects such as breed, age at collection, centre of collection, collection number, season of collection, and method of collection; and the permanent environmental effects associated with each ram, stud and year of collection, and the breeding value of rams included as random effects. The heritability for ejaculate volume, gross motility, concentration, and percent post-thaw motility was estimated to be 0.161, 0.170, 0.089, and 0.081. Repeatability estimates were moderate, ranging between 0.4126 and 0.5265. Overall, results indicate that semen traits are lowly heritable and moderately repeatable, indicating that these traits are significantly influenced by environmental variables.

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