Alternative analysis for the study of subsequent breeding in Nelore heifers

Authors

  • Josineudson Augusto II de Vasconcelos Silva Alta Genetics Brasil, Uberaba, MG
  • Annaiza Braga Bignardi Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP
  • Joanir Pereira Eler Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas, Pirassununga, SP
  • José Bento Sterman Ferraz Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas, Pirassununga, SP
  • Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do Estado de São Paulo, Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios, Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Apoio a Pesquisa Tecnológica dos Agronegócios de Bovinos de Corte, Nova Odessa, SP

Keywords:

beef cattle, heritability, sexual precocity, reproduction

Abstract

Data of 1727 Nelore heifers born from 1993 to 1999 were analyzed in order to compare heritability estimate values of subsequent rebreeding (SR) using linear and non-linear models. SR was defined as the observation of two years old heifers conceiving and remaining pregnant to palpation, given a previous pregnancy around 14 months and exposure during the breeding season. Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Bayesian inference were used to estimate variance components for linear and non-linear models. These models included contemporary group and service period as fixed effects and animal and residual as random effects. Heritability estimates from linear models were from 0.05 and 0.11, and the higher values were obtained after transformed them to an underlying normal scale. The heritability estimate obtained using non linear model was even higher (0.16). The inclusion of heifer subsequent rebreeding trait in the selection indexes of Nelore cattle can contribute to increase the fertility of the herds.

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Published

2008-02-18

Issue

Section

ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

How to Cite

Alternative analysis for the study of subsequent breeding in Nelore heifers. (2008). Bulletin of Animal Husbandry, 65(2), 131-135. http://bia.iz.sp.gov.br/index.php/bia/article/view/1142

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