Genetic Parameters of Birth Weight and Weaning Weight and Their Relationship with Gestation Length and Age at First Calving in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae)

Abstract

Hanwoo is one of the most economically important animal species in Korea due to its significant contribution to nutrition. However, the current selection index only focuses to improve carcass traits of Hanwoo. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW) and their genetic and phenotypic relationship to the age at first calving (AFC) and gestation length (GL) of Hanwoo. The genetic parameters for birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW) were estimated using the data obtained from 52,173 and 35,800 Hanwoo calves born from February 1998 to March 2017, respectively. Further, these data were used to determine their genetic and phenotypic correlation to age at first calving (AFC) and gestation length (GL). The heritability estimates of BW and WW and correlation coefficients were obtained using the average information restricted maximum likelihood (AIREML) procedure, fit in single and two-trait linear animal models. The estimated direct heritability for BW and WW was moderate (0.22 ± 0.02) and high (0.51 ± 0.03), respectively, while the maternal heritability for both traits was 0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.17 ± 0.01, respectively. The genetic correlation of BW and reproductive traits (AFC and GL) showed a moderate and high positive correlation coefficient of 0.33 ± 0.06 and 0.53 ± 0.02, respectively, while close to zero and low positive phenotypic correlations of 0.06 ± 0.01 and 0.21 ± 0.06 were also observed between the correlated traits, respectively. For the correlation analysis between WW and AFC, both the genetic and phenotypic correlation showed close to zero values of 0.04 ± 0.06 and −0.01 ± 0.01, respectively. Meanwhile, the genetic and phenotypic correlation between WW and GL showed low and negative correlations of −0.09 ± 0.06 and −0.09 ± 0.01, respectively. These obtained estimated variances for BW and WW and their corresponding genetic and phenotypic correlation to AFC and GL can be used as information for genetic improvement and subsequent economic improvement of Hanwoo farming.

Genetic Parameters for Growth Traits in Ongole Grade Cattle

“…The heritability estimate of birth weight in this study was lower than that of the result reported by Fathoni et al [13] for OG cattle in Kebumen Regency, namely 0.76 ± 0.12 and the results of research by Kaswati et al [14] in Bali cattle, namely 0.85 ± 0.44, the result reported by Karnaen [15] in Madura cattle, namely 0.33 ± 0.24, the result reported by Suhada et al [16] in Simental cattle, namely 0.11 ± 0.09 , the result reported by Estrada-León et al [17], namely 0.41 ± 0.09, and the research results of Putra et al ( 2014) [18] in Aceh cattle, namely 0.15 ± 0.13. The heritability value of birth weight of PO cattle as a result of this study is in agreement with the results of Lopez et al [19] research on Hanwoo cattle, which was 0.22 ± 0.02.…”

“…The heritability estimate of the weaning weight of this study was greater than that of Fathoni et al [13] in OG cattle, namely 0.36 ± 0.21, the results of Suhada et al [16] in Simental cattle, namely 0.39 ± 0.16, the results of Putra's research in Aceh cattle, namely 0.48 ± 0.58, and from the result of Estrada-León et al [17], namely 0.43 ± 0.09, but lower than the results of Karnaen [15] research in Madura cattle, namely 0.87 ± 0.45. The heritability estimate of the weaning weight of this study was not different form that of Lopez et al [19] result on Hanwoo cattle, which was 0.51 ± 0.03.…”

Genetic relationship of age at first calving with conformation traits and calving interval in Hanwoo cows

“…The average and standard deviation is 24.1 and 2.3 months ( Table 2 ), respectively, which is lower than 24.7 and 25.1 age month obtained by Eum et al [ 8 ] and Lopez et al. [ 9 ]. The AFC in Hanwoo heifers seems to be lower than that of most beef cattle breeds [ 10 – 12 ], which ranges from 28 to 34 months old with seasonal breeding.…”

“…3 shows the distribution of CIs, ranging from 300 to 620 days, with the mean and standard deviation of 399.0 and 101.1 days ( Table 2 ). Cho et al [ 27 ] have reported similar values for the mean of CIs, while Eum et al [ 8 ] and Lopez et al [ 9 ] have reported much lower values of 360.8 and 363.1 days in Hanwoo.…”

“…[8] and Lopez et al [9]. The AFC in Hanwoo heifers seems to be lower than that of most beef cattle breeds [10,11,12], which ranges from 28 to 34 months old with seasonal breeding.…”