Genetic evaluation for milk and semen variables on Egyptian buffaloes

Abstract

2584 lactation records of Egyptian buffaloes calving between1992 to 2010 kept at Natafe El Gadded farm were studied. Several variables Animal model (SVAM) was used. Milk variables are milk production (MP), days in milk (DM), and calving interval (CI) and semen quality are ejaculate volume (EV) life of sperm (LS) and total Motility (TM). The overall means of MP, LL, CI, EV, LS, and TM were 2025 kg, 203 d, 447 d, 3.25 ml, 65.91% and 58.40%, respectively. Heritabilities were 0.23, 0.13, 0.02, 0.08, 0.27 and 0.24, for milk production, lactation length, current calving interval, ejaculate volume, live of sperm and total motility, respectively. Genetic association among MP and each of DM and CI were positive and were 0.80, 0.04, respectively, while among DM and CI was negative (-0.54). Genetic association among EV and each of LS and TM were .04 and -0.03, respectively, while among LS and TM was (1.0). In conclusion, our findings provide useful information on the heritability of milk production, life of sperm and mass motility traits in Egyptian buffaloes and relationships among them and should assist in selection for improvement of milk yield and semen traits in Egyptian buffaloes and bulls.