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Genetic and phenotypic parameters and annual trends for milk production and fertility traits of the Sahiwal cattle in semi arid Kenya

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Abstract

Data comprising 7211 lactation records of 2894 cows were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk production (lactation milk yield, LMY and lactation length, LL) and fertility (calving interval, CI; number of services per conception, NSC and age at first calving, AFC) traits. Genetic, environmental and phenotypic trends were also estimated. Variance components were estimated using univariate, bivariate and trivariate animal models on based restricted maximum likelihood procedures. Univariate models were used for each trait, while bivariate models were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk production and fertility traits and between LMY, LL, CI and NSC within each lactation. Trivariate models were used in the analysis of LMY, LL, CI and NSC in the first three lactations. Heritability estimates from the univariate model were 0.16, 0.07, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.01 for LMY, LL, CI, AFC and NSC, respectively. The heritability estimates from trivariate analysis were higher for milk production traits than those from univariate analyses. Genetic correlations were high and undesirable between milk production and fertility traits, while phenotypic correlations were correspondingly low. Genetic trends were close to zero for all traits, while environmental and phenotypic trends fluctuated over the study period.

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Abbreviations

AFC:

age at first calving

BLUP:

best linear unbiased prediction

CI:

calving interval

LL:

lactation length

LMY:

lactation milk yield

NSC:

number of services per conception

NSS:

National Sahiwal Stud

ONBS:

open nucleus breeding scheme

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

    E. D. Ilatsia

  2. National Animal Husbandry Research Centre Naivasha, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Naivasha, Kenya

    E. D. Ilatsia, T. K. Muasya & W. B. Muhuyi

  3. Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, P. O. Box 536, 20107, Njoro, Kenya

    A. K. Kahi

Authors
  1. E. D. Ilatsia
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  2. T. K. Muasya
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  3. W. B. Muhuyi
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  4. A. K. Kahi
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Correspondence to A. K. Kahi.

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Ilatsia, E.D., Muasya, T.K., Muhuyi, W.B. et al. Genetic and phenotypic parameters and annual trends for milk production and fertility traits of the Sahiwal cattle in semi arid Kenya. Trop Anim Health Prod 39, 37–48 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-006-4408-2

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