Estimation of heritability for growth traits of Red Chittagong cattle in a nucleus herd

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to estimate the heritability for growth traits in a nucleus herd of Red Chittagong cattle (RCC) using data from 2005 to 2010. The traits considered were birth weight, weight at three-month intervals from birth to 24 months, and pre-weaning and post-weaning growth rate. The mean pooled weight (mean ± se) of 127 RCC calves from birth to 24 months at three month intervals were 14.7 ± 0.2, 29.3 ± 6.1, 42.6 ± 9.2, 55.0 ± 12.4, 66.2 ± 15.5, 74.5 ± 16.0, 86.1 ± 23.5, 98.8 ± 24.8 and 111.6 ± 25.2 kg, respectively. The pre-and post-weaning growth rates were 148.5 ± 45.0 and 116.6 ± 56.5 g/day, respectively. The pre-weaning growth rate was significantly (P<0.01) higher than post-weaning. For the estimation of heritability single trait animal models under Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) analyses were done considering sex, parity, season and year of birth as fixed effect and animal's additive genetic as random effect. Estimates of heritability for weight at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 month of age were 0.48 ± 0.04, 0.49 ± 0.06, 0.50 ± 0.08, 0.47 ± 0.06, 0.50 ± 0.08, 0.50 ± 0.33, 0.44 ± 0.14, 0.50 ± 0.11 and 0.50 ± 0.15, respectively. Heritability estimates for pre-and post-weaning growth rate were 0.48 ± 0.06 and 0.49 ± 0.17, respectively. This moderately high heritability of growth of RCC suggests that RCC selected for growth up to 24 months of age would show a quick response. (Bangl. vet.

Genetic Evaluation Of Red Chittagong Cattle In Bangladesh

“…This result is lower than the results obtained by Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC and Atil et al (2005) found from Holstein calves who found breeding value for birth weight as -3.9438 to 5.8998 and -4.10 to 5.11, respectively. But higher than the results obtained by Alam et al (2007) found from RCC and Shakhawat (2006) found from Pabna Milking as -1.494 to 2.782 and -0.101±0.05, respectively.…”

“…This result is slightly lower than the results obtained by Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC, Rabeya et al (2009) found from RCC, Stamer et al (2004) found from Holstein calves as 0.47 ± 0.06, 0.47 ± 0.06 and 0.50, respectively. Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC, Rabeya et al (2009) found from RCC lower heritability for pre-weaning daily gain of calves compared with the results of present study as 0.48±0.06, 0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.49±0.07, respectively.…”

“…Growth traits Estimated heritability for birth weight was slightly higher than the value obtained by Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC, Rabeya et al (2009) found from RCC, Deb (2004) found from Jersey x Local, Stamer et al (2004) found from Holstein calves, Bhuiyan (1999) found from Friesian x Local as 0.48±0.04, 0.497±0.051, 0.48±0.04, 0.63 and 0.64 ± 0.56, respectively. This result is slightly lower than the results obtained by Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC, Rabeya et al (2009) found from RCC, Stamer et al (2004) found from Holstein calves as 0.47 ± 0.06, 0.47 ± 0.06 and 0.50, respectively. Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC, Rabeya et al (2009) found from RCC lower heritability for pre-weaning daily gain of calves compared with the results of present study as 0.48±0.06, 0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.49±0.07, respectively.…”

“…This result is higher than the result obtained by Atil et al (2005) found from Holstein calves who found breeding value for weaning weight as -0.10 to 5.11. Afroz et al (2011) found better breeding value for nine month weight of RCC as -16.8767 to 38.1598.The breeding value for pre-weaning daily gain was ranged from -49.7487 to 82.3983. This result is lower than the result obtained by Afroz et al (2011) found from RCC as -66.8323 to 144.3421.…”

“…The indigenous cattle constitute nearly 90% of the total population. (Afroz et al, 2011).The Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) is an important cattle breed genotype of Bangladesh. They have been originated from greater Chittagong district of Bangladesh.…”