Genome-wide association study of reproductive traits in Nellore heifers using Bayesian inference.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An important goal of Zebu breeding programs is to improve reproductive performance. A major problem faced with the genetic improvement of reproductive traits is that recording the time for an animal to reach sexual maturity is costly. Another issue is that accurate estimates of breeding values are obtained only a long time after the young bulls have gone through selection. An alternative to overcome these problems is to use traits that are indicators of the reproductive efficiency of the herd and are easier to measure, such as age at first calving. Another problem is that heifers that have conceived once may fail to conceive in the next breeding season, which increases production costs. Thus, increasing heifer's rebreeding rates should improve the economic efficiency of

SUBMITTER: Costa RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4541729 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature