Genetic Modeling and Genomic Analyses of Yearling Temperament in American Angus Cattle and Its Relationship With Productive Efficiency and Resilience Traits

Alvarenga, Amanda Botelho; Oliveira, Hinayah Rojas de; Miller, Stephen; Silva, Fabyano F.; Brito, Luiz F.

doi:10.3389/fgene.2022.794625

Cited by 3 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…Temperament was subjectively scored by the handler on a 1-to-6 scale during handling in the chute. Score definitions are in Table 1 , where score 1 represents a docile and score 6 represents a very aggressive animal, as described in Alvarenga et al [ 5 ]. These scores and terminology represent the animal response to being handled and constrained in confined facilities.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These scores and terminology represent the animal response to being handled and constrained in confined facilities. For the statistical genetic analyses, we clustered the scores 4, 5, and 6 into a single category due to their low incidence [ 5 , 23 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cattle temperament can be improved through management [ 3 ] and genetic and genomic selection, since moderate-to-high heritability estimates have been reported in the literature [ 5 – 7 ]. Phenotypic studies indicate that animals can get calmer with repeated positive interactions [ 3 , 5 , 8 ]. Parham et al [ 3 ] concluded that producers may avoid early-in-life culling because the cows can habituate or become sensitized to handling, and consequently, change their behavioral responses over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A wide range (from 0.02 to 0.99) of heritability estimates have been reported for cognitive performance across many species, including humans, chimpanzee, rhesus macaque, domestic pig, rat, mouse, zebra finch, honey bees, guppy, and jungle fowl [ 18 – 22 ]. Similar to the genetic architecture of behavioral traits in livestock species [ 5 , 6 , 23 , 24 ], learning and behavioral plasticity in humans follows a polygenic inheritance pattern [ 18 , 20 , 25 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unraveling the phenotypic and genomic background of behavioral plasticity and temperament in North American Angus cattle

et al. 2023

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Background Longitudinal records of temperament can be used for assessing behavioral plasticity, such as aptness to learn, memorize, or change behavioral responses based on affective state. In this study, we evaluated the phenotypic and genomic background of North American Angus cow temperament measured throughout their lifetime around the weaning season, including the development of a new indicator trait termed docility-based learning and behavioral plasticity. The analyses included 273,695 and 153,898 records for yearling (YT) and cow at weaning (CT) temperament, respectively, 723,248 animals in the pedigree, and 8784 genotyped animals. Both YT and CT were measured when the animal was loading into/exiting the chute. Moreover, CT was measured around the time in which the cow was separated from her calf. A random regression model fitting a first-order Legendre orthogonal polynomial was used to model the covariance structure of temperament and to assess the learning and behavioral plasticity (i.e., slope of the regression) of individual cows. This study provides, for the first time, a longitudinal perspective of the genetic and genomic mechanisms underlying temperament, learning, and behavioral plasticity in beef cattle. Results CT measured across years is heritable (0.38–0.53). Positive and strong genetic correlations (0.91–1.00) were observed among all CT age-group pairs and between CT and YT (0.84). Over 90% of the candidate genes identified overlapped among CT age-groups and the estimated effect of genomic markers located within important candidate genes changed over time. A small but significant genetic component was observed for learning and behavioral plasticity (heritability = 0.02 ± 0.002). Various candidate genes were identified, revealing the polygenic nature of the traits evaluated. The pathways and candidate genes identified are associated with steroid and glucocorticoid hormones, development delay, cognitive development, and behavioral changes in cattle and other species. Conclusions Cow temperament is highly heritable and repeatable. The changes in temperament can be genetically improved by selecting animals with favorable learning and behavioral plasticity (i.e., habituation). Furthermore, the environment explains a large part of the variation in learning and behavioral plasticity, leading to opportunities to also improve the overall temperament by refining management practices. Moreover, behavioral plasticity offers opportunities to improve the long-term animal and handler welfare through habituation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unraveling the phenotypic and genomic background of behavioral plasticity and temperament in North American Angus cattle

et al. 2023

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Genetic evaluation of crossbred Bos indicus cow temperament at parturition

Munguía Vásquez,

Gill,

Riggs

et al. 2024

Journal of Animal Science

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Cow temperament at parturition may be mostly a measure of aggressiveness. The heritability of cow temperament at parturition in Bos taurus cows has been reported to be low. The objectives of this study were to estimate the heritability of cow temperament at parturition, conduct a genome-wide association analysis of cow temperament at the time of parturition, and estimate the correspondence of cow temperament at the time of parturition with cow productive performance and early-life temperament traits in Bos indicus crossbreds. Cow temperament was assessed from 1 to 5 indicating increasing levels of aggressiveness on cows (937 cows and 4,337 parturitions) from 2005 to 2022. Estimates of heritability and repeatability were 0.12 ± 0.024 and 0.24 ± 0.018. The estimates of proportion of phenotypic variance were 0.13 ± 0.019 and 0.02 ± 0.011 for permanent and maternal permanent environmental components, respectively. Estimates of heritability for maximum lifetime temperament score and proportions of temperament scores greater than 1 were 0.18 ± 0.07 and 0.13 ± 0.072. Within cycles (generations), 2-yr-old cows had lower temperament score means than cows in most other age categories. There were low to moderate positive estimates of unadjusted correlation coefficients (r = 0.22 to 0.29; P < 0.05) of unadjusted temperament score with temperament measured on the same females when they were 8 mo old. There were low to moderate positive estimates of correlation coefficients (r = 0.09 to 0.37; P < 0.05) of unadjusted temperament score with calving rate, weaning rate, weaning weight per cow exposed, and weaning weight per 454 kg cow weight at weaning. Cows with the lowest temperament score had lower (P < 0.05) calving and weaning rate than cows in other temperament categories. Within 3 of 5 cycles, cows with the lowest temperament score (totally docile) had lower (P < 0.05) weaning weight per cow exposed than cows in other temperament categories. There were 2 SNP on BTA 4 associated with maximum lifetime temperament score (FDR < 0.05). The non-genetic influence of a cow’s mother was documented in her own temperament measured at the time of calving; this may be a consequence of learned behavior. Less aggressiveness displayed by cows at the time of calving may be accompanied by lower reproductive and maternal performance.

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

Pinto,

Medrado,

Pedrosa

et al. 2024

J Animal Breeding Genetics

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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.

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Genetic Modeling and Genomic Analyses of Yearling Temperament in American Angus Cattle and Its Relationship With Productive Efficiency and Resilience Traits

Cited by 3 publications

References 111 publications

Unraveling the phenotypic and genomic background of behavioral plasticity and temperament in North American Angus cattle

Unraveling the phenotypic and genomic background of behavioral plasticity and temperament in North American Angus cattle

Genetic evaluation of crossbred Bos indicus cow temperament at parturition

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

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