Work

Genetic aspects of major blood metabolites in the Italian Simmental cattle population

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: were 0.09 for blood BHB as-is, 0.16 for log-transformed BHB, 0.03 for NEFA, 0.04 for log-transformed NEFA, and 0.04 for blood urea. As far as the genetic correlations were concerned, blood BHB was positively correlated with NEFA and blood urea. Blood BHB and NEFA were generally positively correlated with milk fat-to-protein ratio and milk, but only the first was negatively correlated with lactose content and positively with SCS. Sires' EBVs for BHB with accuracy ≥0.60 were extrapolated for a posteriori evaluation of the daughters' observed performance. The progeny of the top 5% of sires exhibited, on average, lower blood BHB, NEFA, and urea compared with the daughters of the bottom 5%. Overall, it is highly recommended to monitor the genetic variability of the metabolic traits in the dual-purpose Italian Simmental breed to monitor the incidence of metabolic diseases in future generations.

Source: Journal of Dairy Science

DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-25487

Authors: S. Magro, A. Costa, A. Cesarani, L. Degano, M. De Marchi

Institutions: University of Padua, University of Bologna, University of Sassari, University of Georgia

Language: English

Topic: Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,500