Association among genomic breeding values for daughter pregnancy rate and heifer conception rate and estrous characteristics and fertility of Holstein heifers

Authors

  • Anderson Veronese Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
  • Odinei Marques Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
  • Rafael Moreira Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
  • Anna Belli Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
  • Francisco Peñagaricano Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
  • Ricardo C. Chebel Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20173344

Keywords:

Genetic selection, dairy cattle, reproductive performance, genomic breeding values, daughter pregnancy rate, heifer conception rate, GDPR, GHCR

Abstract

Genetic selection of dairy animals until the early 2000s was focused on productive traits while disregarding reproductive traits. It is believed that such selection strategy was associated with compromised estrous expression and reproductive performance. Since the mid 2000s, genetic selection of dairy breeds has included reproductive traits. We hypothesized that genomic breeding values for daughter pregnancy rate (GDPR) and heifer conception rate (GHCR) are associated with estrous characteristics. Therefore, the objectives of the current experiment were to evaluate the association among GDPR and GHCR with estrous characteristics measured by an automated device.

Cover image of the 50th Conference Proceedings: Text of "AABP Annual Conference" with the AABP logo superimposed over an interlocking 50. Yellow background.

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Published

2017-09-14

Issue

2017

Section

Research Summaries

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