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Genetic parameters for egg number, egg weight, and eggshell color in three Catalan poultry breeds.

Heritabilities for egg number, egg weight, and eggshell color (percentage light absorbance) at 39 wk of age, and the genetic correlations between them were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood in three Catalan poultry breeds: Penedesenca Negra (PN), Prat Lleonada (PL), and Empordanesa Roja (ER). Additive genetic differences between these breeds were also estimated. Data were from the IRTA Poultry Genetic Conservation Program and consisted of records from 1,309 PN, 1,466 PL, and 1,440 ER hens, which were obtained from 80 contemporary batches per breed hatched between 1987 and 1992. Estimates of heritability for egg number, egg weight, and eggshell color were, 0.20, 0.59, and 0.49 for PN, 0.31, 0.48, and 0.53 for PL; and 0.33, 0.50, and 0.27 for ER. Estimated genetic correlations between egg number and egg weight, egg number and shell color, and egg weight and shell color were, for PN, -0.22, -0.03, and 0.00; for PL, -0.21, -0.06, and 0.09; and -0.19, -0.29, and 0.30 for ER. Heritability for eggshell color and genetic correlation between eggshell color and other traits showed a different genetic pattern in ER breed. Significant additive genetic differences (P < 0.05) were found between ER and PN base populations for egg number (3.89), egg weight (0.91), and eggshell color (-3.50); and between ER and PL for egg number (6.69) and eggshell color (35.39). The PN and PL breeds differed significantly (P < 0.05) for eggshell color (38.22), which was darker in PN. These results could be taken as the expected genetic differences for these breeds.

Aging↗

Ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in 15 inbred mouse strains.

This study used a genetic correlational strategy to characterize the neurobiological basis of ethanol's (0, 2, or 4 g/kg) aversive effects as indexed by conditioned taste aversion. Substantial strain differences in taste aversion and hypothermia were observed, but the genetic correlation between these phenotypes was not significant. However, significant genetic correlations were observed between taste aversion and ethanol-related behaviors measured in previous studies, including home-cage ethanol preference (r = .68) and ethanol withdrawal severity (r = -.69). Strains showing stronger taste aversion tended to show lower ethanol preference and higher withdrawal severity. This pattern of findings is consistent with previous studies suggesting a commonality in neurobiological mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. These results do not support the hypothesis that ethanol-induced taste aversion is mediated by the drug's rewarding properties.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Interaction between milk yield of Holstein cows in Mexico and the United States.

Genotype by environment interaction for milk yield was investigated by analyzing 55,162 mature equivalent, first lactation records of daughters from 1339 Holstein sires in Mexico and 499,401 daughters from 663 Holstein sires in the northeastern US. There were 474 US sires in common. Herd-year standard deviation was used to define non-overlapping high (> or = 1600 kg) and low (< or = 1300 kg) Mexican environments and a low (< or = 1025 kg) US environment. Variance components across Mexican environments were about 40% less than those of the US environment. Genetic correlation coefficients between milk yield in various Mexican environments and all US environments ranged from 0.60 to 0.71 and were different from unity (P < 0.001). Genetic correlation coefficients with low environment in the US ranged between 0.69 and 0.93; the largest correlation was between the low US and high Mexico environments. Both reductions in the size of genetic variance in Mexican environments relative to the US and genetic correlation coefficients less than unity were indicative of genotype by environment interaction. A significant rank change in estimated breeding values (EBV) of sires in Mexican environments relative to the US was another indicator of genotype of EBV of a sire estimated from daughters performances in low and high environments in Mexico were 0.46 and 0.62 against EBV of sires estimated from all data in the US. Against EBV estimated from the low environment in the US they were 0.57 and 0.83. The US low environment was a better predictor of performance in Mexican environments.

Animals↗

Correlated responses in male reproductive traits in mice selected for litter size and body weight.

Correlated responses in male reproductive traits were determined at 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age in lines of mice selected for large litter size (L+), large 6-week body weight (W+), large litter size and small body weight (L+W-) and small litter size and large body weight (L-W+), and in an unselected control (K). Concentration of serum testosterone and weights of testes, seminal vesicles, epididymides and adrenal glands increased with age. Line differences in testosterone concentration were not detected. L+ and W+ males exhibited positive correlated responses in testes, epididymides and seminal vesicle weights. Testis weight adjusted for body weight was significantly larger for L+ than controls and approached significance for W+. Realized genetic correlation be-testis weight and litter size was 0.60 +/- 0.04, and the realized partial genetic correlation holding body weight constant was 0.42. Therefore, pleiotropic loci, acting via the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, affect testis weight and litter size independently of body weight. Additionally, genes influencing overall growth have a pleiotropic effect on testis weight and litter size in mice; the realized genetic correlations of body weight with testis weight and with litter size were 0.60 +/- 0.03 and 0.52 +/- 0.10. Testis weight increased in both L+W- and L-W+ males. The positive correlated response in L+W- may have resulted from changes in frequency of genes controlling reproductive processes; whereas, in L-W+ it could have been the result of changes in the frequency of genes associated with body weight.

Adrenal Glands↗

The evolution of polyandry: patterns of genotypic variation in female mating frequency, male fertilization success and a test of the sexy-sperm hypothesis.

The sexy-sperm hypothesis predicts that females obtain indirect benefits for their offspring via polyandy, in the form of increased fertilization success for their sons. I use a quantitative genetic approach to test the sexy-sperm hypothesis using the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus. Previous studies of this species have shown considerable phenotypic variation in fertilization success when two or more males compete. There were high broad-sense heritabilities for both paternity and polyandry. Patterns of genotypic variance were consistent with X-linked inheritance and/or maternal effects on these traits. The genetic architecture therefore precludes the evolution of polyandry via a sexy-sperm process. Thus the positive genetic correlation between paternity in sons and polyandry in daughters predicted by the sexy-sperm hypothesis was absent. There was significant heritable variation in the investment by females in ovaries and by males in the accessory gland. Surprisingly there was a very strong genetic correlation between these two traits. The significance of this genetic correlation for the coevolution of male seminal products and polyandry is discussed.

Animals↗

Plasminogen activator expression correlates with genetic differences in vascular remodeling.

Intima-media thickening (IMT) of the carotid artery, a form of vascular remodeling, correlates well with coronary artery disease risk in humans. Vascular remodeling in response to blood flow is a complex process that critically involves altered cell matrix interactions. To gain insight into these events, we performed partial carotid ligation (left carotid (LCA) = low flow and right carotid (RCA) = high flow) in 2 inbred mouse strains: C57Bl/6J (C57) and FVB/NJ (FVB). To evaluate the role of the 2 major matrix-degrading systems, plasminogen activators (PAs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), we compared the expression of u-PA, t-PA, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ligated carotids of C57 and FVB mice. The extent of remodeling was greater in response to low LCA than high RCA flow. Despite a similar decrease in LCA flow in both strains, maximal IMT volume was greater in FVB (82 +/- 7 x 10(-6) microm(3)) than in C57 (38 +/- 4 x 10(-6) microm(3)) after ligation. Among PAs and MMPs, increased expression of t-PA and u-PA correlated with increased IMT (p < 0.0005 and p < 0.001, respectively). MMP-2, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 expression also increased, but did not differ between strains. In summary, flow-induced IMT of the carotid is genetically determined and correlates with t-PA and u-PA expression in 2 inbred mouse strains.

Animals↗

Sire and sire-feeding regimen interaction effects on lactation, growth, and carcass traits in dairy cattle.

Data from the University of Illinois dairy herd were used to estimate heritabilities of lactation yield, growth rate, and carcass traits and genetic correlations among them and to evaluate the importance of sire and of interaction of sire with feeding regimen for these traits. Heritabilities for lactation, growth, and carcass traits were small or moderate. Genetic correlations of lactation with carcass traits were moderate negative or large positive. Genetic correlations of estimated average daily gain with lactation and carcass traits could not be estimated. Variance for interaction of sire with feeding was large relative to sire variance for estimated average daily gain. Similarly, variance for interaction of sire with feeding regimen was large for back fat thickness, chilled carcass weight, dressing percentage, maturity score, and yield grade. Interaction of sire with feeding should be considered in genetic studies or in sire evaluation for some carcass traits and average daily gain.

Animals↗

Genetic parameters for clinical mastitis, somatic cell score, and production in the first three lactations of Swedish holstein cows.

Using a mixed linear animal model, genetic parameters were estimated for clinical mastitis (MAST), lactation average somatic cell score (LSCS), and milk production traits in the first 3 lactations of more than 200,000 Swedish Holstein cows with first calving from 1995 to 2000. Heritability estimates for MAST (0.01 to 0.03) were distinctly lower than those for LSCS (0.10 to 0.14) and production traits (0.23 to 0.36). The genetic correlation between MAST and LSCS was high for all lactations (mean 0.70), implying that selection for low LSCS will reduce the incidence of mastitis. Undesirable genetic relationships with production were found for both MAST and LSCS with genetic correlations ranging from 0.01 to 0.45. This emphasizes the need for including udder health traits in the breeding goal. Genetic correlations across lactations for the same trait were positive and high for both MAST (>0.7), LSCS (>0.8), and production traits (>0.9), with the strongest correlations between second and third parity for all traits (>0.9 for udder health traits and close to unity for production traits).

Analysis of Variance↗

Genetic analyses of the radiographic appearance of the distal sesamoid bones in Hanoverian Warmblood horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether additive genetic correlations existed between certain aspects of the radiographic appearance of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bones (RNB) or between RNB and other types of radiographic changes in the limbs of Hanoverian Warmblood horses. ANIMALS: 5,157 horses. PROCEDURES: Quasi-linear and binary traits were defined by the appearance of canales sesamoidales (CSs) and the structure and contour of the forelimb navicular bones (NBs). Prevalences of osseous fragments in the metacarphophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal (fetlock) and tarsocrural joints and deforming arthropathy in tarsal joints were analyzed as binary traits. Genetic parameters were estimated by use of multivariate linear models. RESULTS: Heritability estimates for the RNB traits ranged from 0.10 to 0.34. Additive genetic correlations among those traits were usually close to unity. Extensive radiographic changes in the NBs, including changes in CSs and alterations in structure and contour, had correlations with less distinct radiographic changes. Negative additive genetic correlations were observed between small numbers of short and conical CSs in the central portion of the distal border of the NB and osseous fragments and arthropathy, and between most types of radiographic findings in the NBs and osseous fragments in tarsal joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The genetic bases for different types of RNB were not identical. The detection of correlations between normal RNB and findings of short and conical CSs versus deformed CSs and structural and contour changes warrants further study. Genetically justified distinction between physiologic and pathologic NB changes will increase the efficiency of selecting against NBs with radiographically apparent alterations.

Animals↗

The mating system and gene dynamics of plateau pikas.

Evolutionary theory suggests that mating systems should have substantial effects on gene dynamics of local populations. In polygynous species, local 'breeding groups' may produce significant genetic structure, due to genetic differences among groups, and rate of loss of genetic variation from such populations may be considerably slowed. We examined possible influences of the variable mating system and family group structure on genetic properties of a population of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae). Pika gene dynamics were examined via F-statistics and effective population sizes (N(e)), calculated from genetic correlations within and among individuals and families. Genetic correlations were estimated from mating patterns, population demography, and dispersal patterns. Substantial genetic structure within the population was indicated by a strongly positive F(LS). Genetic influence of natal dispersal out of pika families was indicated by a strongly negative inbreeding statistic (F(IL)=-0.34). Effective size of the population was not greatly different from the census population, whereas a traditional estimate of effective size of the population was much lower, indicating that the family structure of the pikas results in a slowed loss of genetic variation over time. Thus, even though mating patterns of plateau pikas were variable, family structure had a strong influence on pika gene dynamics.

Journal Article↗

[Genetic parameters of body weight, muscle weight and skeletal characteristics in Japanese quail].

Heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations of body weight, muscle weight and skeletal characteristics of Japanese quail males at 8 weeks of age were investigated to obtain basal information on breeding and on genetic monitoring by morphometrical methods. For this study, 221 male progenies were used. Measurements were taken on body weight, muscle weight and four kind of skeletal characteristics (skeletal weight, skeletal length, skeletal width and skeletal height). Heritability estimates were 0.67 for body weight, 0.36 to 0.56 for muscle weight, 0.79 to 0.94 for skeletal weight, 0.35 to 0.77 for skeletal length, 0.17 to 0.32 for skeletal width and 0.41 to 0.84 for skeletal height, respectively. The phenotypic and genetic correlations were found to be highly positive between body weight, muscle weight and skeletal length. A high degree of genetic correlation was observed between femur length, ossa cruris length and ossa metatarsalia length. These results suggest that the body weight, muscle weight and skeletal characteristics can be improved by breeding and that these genetically determined skeletal characteristics might serve for strain identification and genetic monitoring in Japanese quail.

Animals↗

Permutation tests for the correlation among genetic distances and measures of heterosis.

It is often found that heterosis tends to increase with genetic distance of the parents, though the correlation is not usually very close. It is therefore important to test the null hypothesis that the correlation is zero. The present work shows that standard procedures tend to yield too liberal tests, owing to the lack of independence among genetic distances and among heterosis estimates. A valid alternative is to use a permutation test, which was first suggested by Mantel [(1967) Cancer Res 27: 209--220). This test is well-known among plant breeders and geneticists, who often use it to test the correlation among two distance matrices. Its use is not restricted to the comparison of distance matrices. This is demonstrated in the present work, using two published datasets on marker-based genetic distances of maize inbreds or populations and heterosis of their crosses. It is shown that the test is also applicable in the presence of missing data.

Breeding↗

Genetic variation in liver mass, body mass, and liver:body mass in mice.

Genetic variation for liver mass (LM), body mass (BM), and liver:body mass (LM/BM) was examined for outbred populations of laboratory mice. Liver mass and body mass data were collected on 170 pureline sires at 12 wk of age, representing four outbred stocks of laboratory mice; 523 of their male and female two-way-cross progeny at 9 or 12 wk; and 214 four-way-cross offspring at 12, 14, or 16 wk. Genetic differences for LM, BM, and LM/BM were found among the base sire lines and between two-way crosses. Heritabilities and genetic correlations for LM, BM, LM/BM, and LM/MBM (MBM = BM.75) were estimated using offspring-sire regression within and across characteristics. Estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations were also derived from full-sib covariances in the two-way-cross generation. Heritability estimates pooled over all analyses were .53, .54, .36, and .40 for LM, BM, LM/BM, and LM/MBM, respectively. Body mass was highly genetically correlated (.87) with LM and lowly correlated with LM/BM. Previous research has indicated possible positive relationships between LM/BM and maintenance energy requirements in mature, nonlactating, nonpregnant animals. A selection index was developed for increasing BM but restricting genetic change in LM to zero. Selection using this index would be 40% as efficient in increasing BM as selection on BM alone but may hold maintenance energy requirements at a stable level.

Animals↗

Relationships between longevity and linear type traits in Holstein cattle population of Southern Africa.

Relationships between longevity and linear type traits were estimated using data on 34,201 cows with lifetime information and linear type scores. The longevity trait considered was the number of lactations initiated and the linear type traits were rump height, body depth, angularity, rear udder height, fore udder attachment, udder depth, fore teat placement and fore teat length. Fixed effects included in the models were herd year, season of calving and herd-date of classification-classifier and days in milk. Age at first calving and age at classification were included as linear and quadratic covariates. Heritability estimates were low for longevity and moderate for most type traits except rump height and fore teat length. All the phenotypic correlations between longevity and the linear type traits were slightly positive (0.01 to 0.09) except the relationships with rump height and fore teat length which were -0.01 and -0.02, respectively. Genetic correlations between longevity and udder traits as well as angularity were moderate to high and positive (0.22 to 0.48). The only notable negative genetic correlations were longevity with body depth and fore teat length (-0.15 and -0.07, respectively). The genetic correlations suggest that selection for udder traits and angularity should improve longevity in the Holstein cattle population.

Age Factors↗

Sexual selection, genetic architecture, and the condition dependence of body shape in the sexually dimorphic fly Prochyliza xanthostoma (Piophilidae).

The hypothesis that sexual selection drives the evolution of condition dependence is not firmly supported by empirical evidence, and the process remains poorly understood. First, even though sexual competition typically involves multiple traits, studies usually compare a single sexual trait with a single "control" trait, ignoring variation among sexual traits and raising the possibility of sampling bias. Second, few studies have addressed the genetic basis of condition dependence. Third, even though condition dependence is thought to result from a form of sex-specific epistasis, the evolution of condition dependence has never been considered in relation to intralocus sexual conflict. We argue that condition dependence may weaken intersexual genetic correlations and facilitate the evolution of sexual dimorphism. To address these questions, we manipulated an environmental factor affecting condition (larval diet) and examined its effects on four sexual and four nonsexual traits in Prochyliza xanthostoma adults. As predicted by theory, the strength of condition dependence increased with degree of exaggeration among male traits. Body shape was more condition dependent in males than in females and, perhaps as a result, genetic and environmental effects on body shape were congruent in males, but not in females. However, of the four male sexual traits, only head length was significantly larger in high-condition males after controlling for body size. Strong condition dependence was associated with reduced intersexual genetic correlation. However, homologous male and female traits exhibited correlated responses to condition, suggesting an intersexual genetic correlation for condition dependence itself. Our findings support the role of sexual selection in the evolution of condition dependence, but reveal considerable variation in condition dependence among sexual traits. It is not clear whether the evolution of condition dependence has mitigated or exacerbated intralocus sexual conflict in this species.

Animals↗

Selection for female fertility using censored fertility traits and investigation of the relationship with milk production.

Bivariate models (censored linear-linear and censored threshold-linear) were used to estimate genetic parameters for production and fertility traits in the Spanish Holstein population. Records on 71,217 lactations from 41,515 cows were used: 30 and 36% of lactations were censored for days open (DO) and number of inseminations to conception (INS), respectively. Heritability estimates for production traits (milk, fat, protein) ranged between 0.18 and 0.25. Heritability of days to first service (DFS) and DO was 0.05; heritability of INS on the liability scale was 0.04. Genetic correlations between fertility traits were 0.41, 0.71, and 0.87 for DFS-INS, DO-INS, and DO-DFS, respectively. Days open had a larger genetic correlation (ranging from 0.63 to 0.76) with production traits than did DFS (0.47 to 0.59) or INS (0.16 to 0.23). Greater antagonism between production and DO may be due to voluntary management decisions for high-yielding cows, resulting in longer lactation lengths. Inseminations to conception appeared to be less correlated with milk production than were the other 2 female fertility traits. Including INS in a total merit index would be expected to increase genetic gain in terms of profit, but profit would decrease if either DO or DO and DFS were included in the index. Thus, INS is the trait to be preferred when selecting for female fertility. The genetic correlation between actual milk yield and 305-d standardized milk yield was 0.96 in the present study, suggesting that some reranking of sires could occur. Because the target of attaining a 12-mo calving interval, as implied by a 305-d standardized lactation length, is changing in the dairy industry, routine genetic evaluation of actual total lactation milk yield should be considered.

Animals↗

[Variability and inheritance of behavior in fine-wool sheep. II. Character of inheritance of domesticated behavior and correlation of behavior with productivity traits in fine-wool sheep].

The results of an experimental study of the inheritance of individual behaviour in various types of crosses are presented; the phenotypic and genetic correlations between the behavior and producutivity characters in sheep and the possibility of applying behaviour characteristics to the selection process of fine-wool sheep are analysed. It is shown that the progeny from crosses between parents with the same type of behaviour inherits mainly the type of behaviour of their parents and that, in general, the inheritance has a polygenic character. A genetic relation between the type of domestic behaviour and the productive characters of fine-wool sheep is established. The genetic correlation coefficient between the behaviour and the wool productivity is 0,57, and that between the behaviour and the live weight is 0,53. It is concluded that the inheritance component contributes to the formation of the type of domestic behaviour of fine-wool sheep. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between the type of behaviour and the main productivity characters are discussed. The posibility of using behaviour characteristics as a character under selection is considered.

Animals↗

Heritability of sudden death syndrome and its associated correlations to ascites and body weight in broilers.

(1) Genetic parameters for the sudden death syndrome (SDS) were estimated in meat-type chickens. Data were collected over 11 generations of selection for body weight within two distinct breeds (Cornish and White Rock). (2) The animal model was used exclusively with linear methods (LM) to estimate genetic parameters. Heritability (h2) of SDS on the liability scale was 0.30 +/- 0.002 and 0.25 +/- 0.002 in the Cornish and White Rock breeds, respectively. (3) A positive genetic correlation (r(g)) with ascites (AS) was determined (approximately 0.3 +/- 0.006). However, it was not possible to estimate the rg of SDS with body weight because of the low prevalence of the defect trait studied (1.8% in the Cornish and 1-5% in the White Rock). (4) Heritability of SDS calculated using male records only was 0.45 +/- 0.009 and 0.35 +/- 0.009, and r(g) with body weight was 0.30 +/- 0.010 and 0.27 +/- 0.009, in the Cornish and White Rock breeds, respectively. (5) In conclusion, the heart defect investigated was heritable with a positive genetic correlation with AS and body weight.

Animals↗