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Evaluating genotype by environment interaction for growth traits in Limousine cattle
S Callegaro1, F Tiezzi1, M C Fabbri1
1Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Florence 50144, Italy.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|October 19, 2024
Summary
Heat stress significantly impacts beef cattle growth, with genetic factors influencing heat tolerance. This study reveals genotype by environment interactions affecting growth traits in Italian Limousine cattle, crucial for breeding strategies.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics and Breeding
- Environmental Physiology
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Environmental conditions critically influence animal growth and health, necessitating quantification of heat stress and heat tolerance genetics in breeding programs.
- Understanding genotype by environment interactions (G × E) is vital for optimizing livestock performance under diverse climatic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of heat stress on growth traits (average daily gain, weaning weight, yearling weight) in Italian Limousine beef cattle.
- To investigate the genetic basis of heat tolerance and its interaction with environmental conditions in this population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of three growth traits (ADG, WW, YW) from 1991-2022, incorporating 14 environmental covariates.
- Linear mixed models were used to identify significant environmental factors, with multiple-trait models and genomic information applied.
- Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) was employed for model selection; genotype by environment interaction (G × E) was explicitly modeled.
Main Results:
- Genotype by environment interaction (G × E) was detected for all growth traits, indicating substantial heterogeneity in performance across environments.
- Heritability for weaning weight remained constant, while average daily gain and yearling weight heritability decreased under harsher conditions.
- Genetic correlations between different environments were moderate to low for all traits, suggesting that selection in one environment may not translate optimally to another.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the significant role of G × E in growth traits for Italian Limousine cattle, highlighting the need for environment-specific breeding strategies.
- Incorporating G × E into genomic predictions can enhance accuracy and accelerate genetic gains for heat tolerance.
- These findings provide valuable insights for breeders to develop more resilient cattle populations adapted to varying environmental challenges.
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