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Multi-trait linear reaction norm model to describe the pattern of phenotypic expression of some economic traits in beef cattle across a range of environments

  • Animal Genetics • Original Paper
  • Published:
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Abstract

The multi-trait reaction norm (MTRN) model was extended to beef cattle reared under tropical conditions with the following objectives: to compare multi-trait (MT) and MTRN models regarding the genetic parameters obtained; and to characterize G × E, the pattern of phenotypic expression, and the environmental sensitivity of animals for postweaning weight gain (PWG), scrotal circumference (SC), and annual average productivity of the cow (PRODAM). There was divergence in the estimates between the MT and MTRN models when the posterior probability intervals of additive genetic variances and heritability coefficients of PWG and PRODAM were analyzed. The MTRN model indicated an increase in heritability for PWG and PRODAM with improvement of the environmental conditions. For SC, heritability was practically the same, irrespective of the environmental conditions. The genetic correlations between the traits studied were low but varied over environments by the MTRN model. Considering genetic correlations obtained by the MTRN model for the same trait, lower estimates were obtained between extreme favorable and unfavorable environments. This finding suggest re-ranking of breeding values in different environments mainly for PWG and PRODAM. Thus, G × E is more important for PWG and PRODAM than for SC and should be included in the genetic evaluation of these traits. The traits PWG and PRODAM can be considered plastic traits, whereas SC is poorly plastic. The genetic trends in individual animal slopes indicate that the population is moving towards greater plasticity. This could be a matter of concern for breeders since greater plasticity seems to limit heritability and, consequently, the responses to selection.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to CFM-Leachman Pecuária Ltda. for providing the data set. This work was funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Mato Grosso (FAPEMAT).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Melhoramento Animal de Mato Grosso (GMAT), Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Campus Universitário de Rondonópolis, MT-270, Km 06, 78735-901, Rondonópolis, MT, Brazil

    Mário Luiz Santana Jr. & Annaiza Braga Bignardi

  2. Grupo de Melhoramento Animal e Biotecnologia (GMAB), Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, C. Postal 23, 13635-970, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil

    Joanir Pereira Eler & José Bento Sterman Ferraz

  3. Departamento de Genética, Grupo Meragen, Rabanales, Universidad de Córdoba, Cordoba, 14071, Spain

    Alberto Menéndez-Buxadera

  4. Embrapa Pecuária Sul, BR-153, Km 603, C. Postal 242, 96401-970, Bagé, RS, Brazil

    Fernando Flores Cardoso

Authors
  1. Mário Luiz Santana Jr.
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  2. Joanir Pereira Eler
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  3. Annaiza Braga Bignardi
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  4. Alberto Menéndez-Buxadera
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  5. Fernando Flores Cardoso
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  6. José Bento Sterman Ferraz
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Correspondence to Mário Luiz Santana Jr..

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Santana, M.L., Eler, J.P., Bignardi, A.B. et al. Multi-trait linear reaction norm model to describe the pattern of phenotypic expression of some economic traits in beef cattle across a range of environments. J Appl Genetics 56, 219–229 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-014-0242-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-014-0242-9

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