Short communication: Genetic analysis for fertility traits of heifers and cows from smallholder dairy farms in a tropical environment

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for various fertility traits on Holstein upgraded dairy heifers and cows in a smallholder system under tropical conditions using data sets from the Thailand national recording scheme. The investigated traits were age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), days from calving to first service (DTFS), days between first and last service (DFLS), days open (DO), calving interval (CI), number of services per conception (NSPC), and conception at first service (FSC). The data consisted of 68,555, 34,401, and 54,004 records on heifers, primiparous, and multiparous cows, respectively, calving between 1996 and 2011. Gibbs sampling was employed to obtain (co)variance components using both univariate and bivariate analyses with linear and threshold animal models. Virgin heifers had better fertility performance than primiparous and multiparous cows. The reproductive performance in primiparous cows was inferior compared with multiparous cows. Cows with higher Holstein-Friesian blood showed lower reproductive efficiency. Estimated heritabilities for most of the fertility traits were 0.04 or less except for AFS (0.26) and AFC (0.25). The estimated genetic correlations among fertility traits within parity indicated that selection for cows with high conception rate could lead to shortened DO and CI, as well as DTFS. The FSC and NSPC could be used as the best indicators for heifer and cow fertility and could be complemented by other traits, which were genetically considered as different traits such as DTFS and DFLS in terms of a fertility index. This would enable efficient selection for better fertility. Genetic correlations for fertility traits in primiparous and multiparous cows were very high (>0.90), but those between heifers and cows were lower (0.03 to 0.83). The latter results indicated that fertility traits of heifers and cows should be considered as different traits.

Estimation of Non-Genetic Parameters for Reproduction and Production Traits of Holstein Friesian Dairy Herd at Elfora Cheffa Dairy Farm, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

“…The result of the present study for CI was higher than the recommended CI values of 365-385 days (Peters, 1984). The mean value of CI 446.1 days in presented study was longer than 433.0, 399 and 419.9 days as reported by Gader et al (2007) for Holstein-Friesian cows in Sudan, Gwaza et al (2007) for Holstein-Friesian cows in Cameron and Buaban et al (2015) for Holstein-Friesian cows in Tropics respectively. Similarly, mean average value of 181.7 days for DO in the current study was longer than 174.0, 167.0, 148.0, 134.9 and 2014) in Alage dairy farm, Ethiopia respectively.…”

Organic or conventional dairy farming in northern Spain: Impacts on cow reproductive performance

“…Oestrous duration is much shorter in Holstein-Friesian than in Norwegian Red cows, which also participate in greater number of sexually active groups for longer and display different (more frequent) mounting activity (Sveberg et al, 2015). Similar results were obtained in a study comparing Holstein-Friesian with Normande cows, with the former showing less obvious signs of oestrus (Cutullic, Delaby, Causer, Michel, & Disenhaus, 2009 The Holsteinisation phenomenon affects female fertility (Buaban et al, 2015;Lindhé & Philipsson, 1998;Royal et al, 2000), which can be explained by the more intense selection for milk production in the Holstein-Friesian breed (Dillon, Berry, Evans, Buckley, & Horan, 2006;Pryce, Royal, Garnsworthy, & Mao, 2004 (Walsh et al, 2007(Walsh et al, , 2008. Finally, in a study analysing data from the Irish National database and including many breeds and crosses (Holstein-Friesian, British Friesian, New Zealand Friesian, Jersey, Norwegian Red and Montbeliard), Buckley, Lopez-Villalobos, and Heins (2014) confirmed higher fertility rates in cross-bred cows.…”

“…The Holsteinisation phenomenon affects female fertility (Buaban et al, ; Lindhé & Philipsson, ; Royal et al, ), which can be explained by the more intense selection for milk production in the Holstein‐Friesian breed (Dillon, Berry, Evans, Buckley, & Horan, ; Pryce, Royal, Garnsworthy, & Mao, ). On the other hand, the best results for reproductive performance have been observed for crosses between Holstein‐Friesian and other breeds.…”

Genetic associations between milk fat‐to‐protein ratio, milk production and fertility in the first two lactations of Thai Holsteins dairy cattle

“…Moreover, excessive fat mobilization (specifically in early lactation) caused by NEB leads to health and fertility problems (Butler & Smith 1989). The breeding objectives to incorporate DO or another fertility trait with MY in the selection index for Thai Holsteins have been proposed (Buaban et al 2015a). In fact, dairy production in Thailand has focused in the same direction as developed countries.…”