Association between conformation traits and productive performance in Holstein cows in the department of Antioquia, Colombia

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to estimate the phenotypic association between some conformation traits and dairy traits in the Antioquia Holstein dairy cattle. To achieve this, 8037 records from 139 herds located in the department of Antioquia, Colombia were analyzed. Data were obtained from a control program performed between 2008 and 2011. The phenotypic association was carried out through three different statistical analyzes: a generalized linear model, a regression analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficient. It was found that the main linear traits associated with productive traits were body compound (index comprised by stature, chest width, angularity, and rump angle) and udder compound (index comprised by udder depth, fore udder attachment, rear udder height, rear udder width, central ligament, front teat position and rear teat position) fore udder attachment, teat length, rear teat position and udder depth. The highest regression coefficient was for milk yield on udder compound (510.67 l/lac); the lowest was for fat percentage on udder depth (0.028%). The highest correlation was between milk yield and udder depth (-0.21), and the lowest was between fat percentage and front teat position (0.00). These results indicate that the phenotypic association between conformation traits and productive parameters tends to be low. This is the reason why it is important to estimate genetic correlations and to determinate their importance and possible use in genetic improvement programs.

Keywords:

análisis de regresión

características lecheras

correlación fenotípica

evaluación lineal

regression analysis

dairy traits

phenotypic correlation

linear appraisal

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