Model definition for genetic evaluation of purebred and crossbred lambs including heterosis.

ABSTRACT: Crossbreeding is a common practice among commercial sheep producers to improve animal performance. However, genetic evaluation of U.S. sheep is performed within breed type (terminal sire, semi-prolific, and western range). While incorporating crossbred records may improve assessment of purebreds, it requires accounting for heterotic and breed effects in the evaluation. The objectives of this study were to: 1) describe the development of a paternal composite (PC) line, 2) determine the effect of direct and maternal heterosis on growth traits of crossbred lambs, 3) estimate (co)variance components for direct and maternal additive, and uncorrelated maternal environmental, effects, and 4) provide an interpretation of the estimates of random effects of genetic groups, and to use those solutions

SUBMITTER: Vargas Jurado N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9191838 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature