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Genetic parameters of body weight traits in Mithun (Bos frontalis) using animal model

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Abstract

Mithun (Bos frontalis), a domestically raised herbivore, holds significant economic importance for the farming community of Northeast India. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic parameters governing Mithun body weight traits across different ages using data from the sole organized semi-intensive Mithun farm in India. Information was gathered from 110 Mithuns born over a period spanning from 2011 to 2022. Body weight taken at week 1 (W1), 1-month (M1), 3-months (M3), 6-months (M6), 9-months (M9), 12-months (M12), 30-months (M30) and 45-months (M45) were considered for the study. The genetic parameters estimation employed the BLUPF90 suite of programs, incorporating univariate Gibbs sampler animal model with fixed effects; season and period of birth, and sex of the animal. Variance and covariance components, including direct additive genetic effects, were estimated. Heritability estimates for the eight body weight traits ranged from 0.47 ± 0.0050 to 0.50 ± 0.0043, indicating varying genetic influence across growth stages. Results revealed that Mithun herd has a substantial genetic variability for growth traits and therefore there is ample scope to select for a better growth rate. Here, we conclude that Month 12 (M12) and Month 9 (M9) body weights exhibit higher heritability, indicating potential for genetic improvement through selective breeding.

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Data will be made available from corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

All the authors of the manuscript wish to thank Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE). This study received no funding and was based out of the body weight collection data maintained at farm.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR – National Research Centre on Mithun, 797106, Medziphema, Nagaland, India

    Harshit Kumar, Sapunii Stephen Hanah, L. Sunitibala Devi, Kobu Khate & Girish P.S.

  2. ICAR – National Dairy Research Institute, 132001, Karnal, Haryana, India

    Ashish Yadav

Authors
  1. Harshit Kumar
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  2. Ashish Yadav
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  3. Sapunii Stephen Hanah
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  4. L. Sunitibala Devi
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  5. Kobu Khate
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  6. Girish P.S.
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Contributions

Harshit Kumar: conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, and writing – original draft. Ashish Yadav: data analysis, methodology, and writing – review & editing. SS Hanah, L Sunitibala Devi, Kobu Khate: data collection, writing – review & editing. Girish Patil S: writing – conceptualization, review & editing & Resources and supervision.

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Correspondence to Girish P.S..

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Kumar, H., Yadav, A., Hanah, S.S. et al. Genetic parameters of body weight traits in Mithun (Bos frontalis) using animal model. Trop Anim Health Prod 56, 204 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-024-04069-w

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