Article (Scientific journals)
Genetics of body condition score as an indicator of dairy cattle fertility. A review
Bastin, Catherine; Gengler, Nicolas
2013In Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement, 17 (1), p. 64-75
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Keywords :
Dairy cows; Body condition; Energy balance; Heritability; Fertility; Genetic correlation
Abstract :
[en] Body condition score (BCS) is a subjective measure of the amount of metabolizable energy stored in a live animal. Change in BCS of dairy cows is considered to be an indicator of the extent and the duration of postpartum negative energy balance. Although change in BCS over lactation is lowly heritable, heritability estimates of level of BCS range from 0.20 to 0.50. Also, BCS tends to be more heritable in mid-lactation indicating that genetic differences are more related to how well cows recover from the negative energy balance state. BCS measurements are generally highly correlated within and between lactations. Genetic correlations with BCS are unfavorable for milk, fat, and protein yield, suggesting that genetically superior producers tend to have lower BCS, especially during the lactation. Genetic correlations are generally moderate and favorable with fertility indicating that cows with higher levels of BCS would have a greater chance to conceive after insemination and fewer number of days when not pregnant. Because direct selection to improve fertility might be complicated by several factors, selection for higher levels of BCS, especially in mid-lactation, appears to be a good option to indirectly improve fertility in dairy cows.
Disciplines :
Genetics & genetic processes
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Bastin, Catherine ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Sciences agronomiques > Zootechnie
Gengler, Nicolas  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Sciences agronomiques > Zootechnie
Language :
English
Title :
Genetics of body condition score as an indicator of dairy cattle fertility. A review
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement
ISSN :
1370-6233
eISSN :
1780-4507
Publisher :
Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux, Gembloux, Belgium
Volume :
17
Issue :
1
Pages :
64-75
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 30 January 2014

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