Genetic and phenotypic variation in sources of preweaning lamb mortality

Information on causes of mortality to 8 wk weaning for 16,881 lambs of 10 line-breed groups by 594 sires born over a 5-yr period was analyzed by least squares procedures to estimate sire variance and covariance components within line and year-season. Heritability estimates were approximately 5% for total mortality in the binomial scale and near 10% when converted to a normal scale. Average heritability estimates in the binomial and normal scale were, respectively, 4 and 12% for perinatal and 3 and 7% for postnatal mortality. The heritability estimates for respiratory problems were inconsistent; binomial-scale estimates ranged from 0 to 7% in different populations. Regression adjustment for effects of variation in litter size and birth weight caused only minor changes in the heritability estimates. Comparison of covariances among half-sibs vs full-sibs indicated very large maternal effects on perinatal mortality but smaller and less consistent effects on sources of postnatal mortality. Phenotypic correlations among sources of mortality indicated a 26% greater influence of postnatal than perinatal mortality on variation in total mortality, but both the genetic and phenotypic correlations between those two components were slightly negative. These results suggest that the use of family and progeny test selection for transmitted effects on both perinatal and postnatal lamb viability should be effective.