Genetic analysis and evaluation of behavioural traits in cattle

Adamczyk, Krzysztof; Pokorska, Joanna; Makulska, J.; Earley, Bernadette; Mazurek, Mickael

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2013.01.016

Cited by 47 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…As a consequence of the adaption and selection for different production and housing systems, a large variability in temperament exists today in farm animals, resulting from differences in reactions towards human contact and new surroundings (Hopster, 1998;Sutherland et al, 2012). Fear is considered one of the main psychological factors underlying temperament traits in general, and in particular, fear of humans affects the human-animal relationship considerably (Adamczyk et al, 2013). When humans were involved in behaviour tests, it could be observed that fearfulness was more evident in comparison to tests without human presence (Mazurek et al, 2011).…”

Section: Cattle Temperament and Production Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a consequence, breeding for cattle behaviour has been intensively discussed. In some countries, milking temperament of dairy cattle is already integrated as a selection index into breeding programs (reviewed in Adamczyk et al, 2013), whereas in beef cattle, temperament is indeed recognized as an important trait for economic efficiency and frequently assessed, but its use as a selection index is uncommon (Sant' Anna et al, 2013). Reasons for this nonconsideration are the possible competitive genetic relationship between temperament and production traits (Oltenacu and Broom, 2010) and complex behaviour evaluations.…”

Section: Perspective and Challenges Of Behaviour Genetics In Cattlementioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetics of cattle temperament and its impact on livestock production and breeding – a review

2015

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Abstract.Cattle temperament, which describes individual behaviour differences with regard to a stressor or environmental challenge, is known for its impact on working safety, adaptability to new housing conditions, animal productivity and for evaluation of animal welfare. However, successful use of temperament in animal breeding and husbandry to improve keeping conditions in general or animal welfare in particular, requires the availability of informative and reproducible phenotypes and knowledge about the genetic modulation of these traits. However, the knowledge about genetic influences on cattle temperament is still limited. In this review, an outline is given for the interdependence between production systems and temperament as well as for the phenotyping of cattle temperament based on both behaviour tests and observations of behaviour under production conditions. In addition, the use of temperament as a selection criterion is discussed.

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Section: Cattle Temperament and Production Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Perspective and Challenges Of Behaviour Genetics In Cattlementioning

confidence: 99%

Genetics of cattle temperament and its impact on livestock production and breeding – a review

2015

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“…Although 78% of the animals were scored 1 and 2, there were still 22% in other categories representing a considerable variation for T trait, because in this Nellore breeding program animals receiving the greatest score (worst temperament) were discarded. In addition, according to Adamczyk et al (2013), long-term culling of aggressive cattle caused a marked increase in the proportion of cattle with a calm temperament.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reactivity is one of the main ways to show this response, and reactivity to humans can be affected by previous experiences of an animal toward humans, like fear (Adamczyk et al, 2013). Although fear is crucial on the responses toward potentially dangerous situations, excessive fear may also lead to develop chronic stress that could affect several behavioral traits, such as social, sexual and parental relationships, and decrease the performance traits in cattle (Forkman et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among them, the restraint tests, the open field test, the fear of humans tests and flight distance were the most appropriate to assess individual responses in cattle (Adamczyk et al, 2013). Therefore, it is necessary to use appropriate statistical models to correctly evaluate this trait in animal breeding programs that adopt temperament as a selection criterion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic analysis of the temperament of Nellore cattle using linear and threshold models

Lucena¹,

Neves²,

Carvalheiro³

et al. 2015

Animal

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Temperament is an important trait for the management and welfare of animals and for reducing accidents involving people who work with cattle. The present study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters related to the temperament score (T) and weaning weight (WW) of Nellore cattle, reared in a beef cattle breeding program in Brazil. Data were analyzed using two different two-trait statistical models, both considering WW and T: (1) a linear-linear model in which variance components (VCs) were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood; and (2) a linear-threshold model in which VCs were estimated via Bayesian inference. WW was included in the analyses of T to minimize any possible effects of sequential selection and to allow for estimation of the genetic correlation between these two traits. The heritability estimates for T were 0.21 ± 0.003 (model 1) and 0.26 (model 2, with a 95% credibility interval (95% CI) of 0.21 to 0.32). The estimated genetic correlations between WW and T were of a moderate magnitude (−0.33 ± 0.01 (model 1) and − 0.34 (95% CI: − 0.40, − 0.28, model 2). The genetic correlations between the estimated breeding values (EBVs) obtained for the animals based on the two models were high (>0.92). The use of different models had little influence on the classification of animals based on EBVs or the accuracy of the EBVs.Keywords: beef production, categorical trait, genetic parameter, performance trait ImplicationsAnimal temperament is a trait that exerts a marked influence on the beef production system in tropical regions, because the management applied on the herds has direct repercussions on the profitability of the enterprises. Given the categorical nature of the temperament scores (T) and their asymmetric distribution, two statistical models were applied to study this trait in cattle, with the aim of assessing the differences and possible advantages of using a threshold model compared with a linear model for estimating variance components. The two models produced similar estimates of genetic parameters, classification of animals based on estimated breeding values (EBVs) and accuracy of the EBVs. The variability observed for T and the favorable association of this score with weaning weight, a trait related to maternal ability, support the inclusion of T as a selection criterion for the breeding program.

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Adrenocortical Expression Profiling of Cattle with Distinct Juvenile Temperament Types

et al. 2016

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Temperament affects ease of handling, animal welfare, and economically important production traits in cattle. The use of gene expression profiles as molecular traits provides a novel means of gaining insight into behavioural genetics. In this study, differences in adrenocortical expression profiles between 60 F cows (Charolais × German Holstein) of distinct temperament types were analysed. The cows were assessed in a novel-human test at an age of 90 days. Most of the adrenal cortex transcripts which were differentially expressed (FDR <0.05) were found between temperament types of 'fearful/neophobic-alert' and all other temperament types. These transcripts belong to several biological functions like NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, Glucocorticoid Receptor Signalling and Complement System. Overall, the present study provides new insight into transcriptional differences in the adrenal cortex between cows of distinct temperament types. Genetic regulations of such molecular traits facilitate uncovering positional and functional gene candidates for temperament type in cattle.

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Genetic analysis and evaluation of behavioural traits in cattle

Cited by 47 publications

References 84 publications

Genetics of cattle temperament and its impact on livestock production and breeding – a review

Genetics of cattle temperament and its impact on livestock production and breeding – a review

Genetic analysis of the temperament of Nellore cattle using linear and threshold models

Adrenocortical Expression Profiling of Cattle with Distinct Juvenile Temperament Types

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