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Genetic parameters for mid-infrared spectroscopy-predicted fertility
I van den Berg1, P N Ho1, M Haile-Mariam1
1Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
JDS Communications
|November 7, 2022
Summary
A new trait, MFERT, predicts conception probability using milk analysis, offering higher heritability than traditional fertility measures. This trait shows potential for improving cattle breeding programs, especially with increasing data availability.
Area of Science:
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Female fertility is difficult to improve genetically due to low heritability and unfavorable correlations with milk yield.
- Traditional fertility traits have limited data availability, hindering genetic selection.
- Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy of milk offers a potential new source of fertility data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the heritability of the MFERT trait.
- To determine genetic correlations between MFERT, traditional fertility, and milk production traits.
- To evaluate MFERT's utility in a selection index for improving female fertility.
Main Methods:
- MFERT (probability of conception to first insemination) was predicted using MIR spectroscopy, milk recording data, age at calving, days in milk, and milk production.
- Heritability and genetic correlations were estimated using established quantitative genetic methods.
- The potential impact of MFERT on selection index accuracy was modeled.
Main Results:
- MFERT exhibited a heritability of 0.16, significantly higher than traditional fertility traits (0.05).
- Genetic correlations between MFERT and traditional fertility traits ranged from low to moderate.
- Inclusion of MFERT in a fertility index substantially increases accuracy with sufficient data volume.
Conclusions:
- MFERT is a promising indicator trait for female fertility with higher heritability than traditional measures.
- The increasing availability of MIR spectral data supports the future use of MFERT in genetic selection.
- MFERT has the potential to enhance the accuracy of breeding programs for dairy cattle fertility.
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