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Estimation of Heritability for Growth Traits of Red Chittagong Cattle in a Nucleus Herd

M. A. Afroz
Department of Genetics Plant Breeding , Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Hoque
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

A. K. F. H. Bhuiyan
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was undertaken to estimate the heritability for growth traits in a nucleus herd of Red Chittagong cattle (RCC) using data from 2005 to 2010. The traits considered were birth weight, weight at three-month intervals from birth to 24 months, and pre-weaning and post-weaning growth rate. The mean pooled weight (mean ± se) of 127 RCC calves from birth to 24 months at three month intervals were 14.7 ± 0.2, 29.3 ± 6.1, 42.6 ± 9.2, 55.0 ± 12.4, 66.2 ± 15.5, 74.5 ± 16.0, 86.1 ± 23.5, 98.8 ± 24.8 and 111.6 ± 25.2 kg, respectively. The pre- and post-weaning growth rates were 148.5 ± 45.0 and 116.6 ± 56.5 g/day, respectively. The pre-weaning growth rate was significantly (P<0.01) higher than post-weaning. For the estimation of heritability single trait animal models under Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) analyses were done considering sex, parity, season and year of birth as fixed effect and animal’s additive genetic as random effect. Estimates of heritability for weight at birth, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 month of age were 0.48 ± 0.04, 0.49 ± 0.06, 0.50 ± 0.08, 0.47 ± 0.06, 0.50 ± 0.08, 0.50 ± 0.33, 0.44 ± 0.14, 0.50 ± 0.11 and 0.50 ± 0.15, respectively. Heritability estimates for pre- and post-weaning growth rate were 0.48 ± 0.06 and 0.49 ± 0.17, respectively. This moderately high heritability of growth of RCC suggests that RCC selected for growth up to 24 months of age would show a quick response.

Keywords: Heritability, Growth traits of Red Chittagong cattle, Nucleus herd

Location: Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-00-2005

End Date: 00-00-2010

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Cow

Objectives:

a) To estimate heritability (h₂) of growth of RCC at different ages

b) To compare growth performance in respect to sex, parity of dam, season and year of birth.

Methodology:

Source of data and management of animals: The data were collected from the nucleus herd of Red Chittagong cattle maintained at the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from 2005 to 2010. Feeding and management practices were more or less uniform throughout the year. However, there were slight differences in the seasonal availability of green grasses, changed feeding regime, high ambient temperature, heavy rainfall and diseases which might have lead to variation in performance among animals. The animals were fed cultivated fodder (Maize, Napier, Para, and German) 3.0 kg/animal (Fresh weight), Urea molasses straw (UMS) and rice straw along with concentrates 1 kg and 0.25 kg/animal, respectively. Regular vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease (half yearly) and Anthrax (yearly) was given as per manufacturer's instruction and all animals were dewormed against common parasites with fenbendezole (Peraclear®, Techno Drugs, Dhaka, Bangladesh) 5 mg/Kg body weight and ivermectin (Cevamec 1%®, Ceva Sante, France) 0.2/kg body weight. Traits studied: Traits included were birth weight, body weight at three-month intervals from birth to 24 months of age, and pre-weaning and post-weaning growth rate. Statistical analyses: Data were analysed using SPSS 2002 computer software to estimate simple means and standard errors (mean ± se). For estimating heritability (h₂) VCE 4.2.5 (Groeneveld, 1998) computer software was used. All analyses were done using a single trait animal model with REML procedure where animal’s additive genetic effect was the only random factor, with sex of the animal, parity of mother, season of birth, year of birth as fixed factors. The statistical model in matrix notation was : Y = Xb + Za + Wc + c. The pre-weaning growth rate was calculated from weight at birth and at nine months and the post-weaning growth rate was considered as after nine months. The statistical comparison was done by using SPSS 2002 for windows computer software.

Source of Information: The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2011) 28(1) : 39 – 46

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion those traits of RCC had heritability of medium value and from the breeding point of view, additive gene action is playing a vital role for their expression. This phenomenon promises improvement in the next generation through selection. Therefore, individuals own performance may be of top indicator during selection and breeding program execution when estimates for h2 are satisfactory. In this respect, an indigenous variety or type among others the RCC possesses potential genetic merit and may be exploited and optimized to its apex.

Knowledge Management: Journal