Direct and maternal genetic effects due to the introduction of Bos taurus alleles into Brahman cattle in Florida: I. Reproduction and calf survival.

Abstract

Pregnancy rate, calf survival rate to weaning and calf age at weaning of several types of crossbred cows (2/3 or more Brahman) were compared to those of straightbred Brahman and Angus cows over a 12-yr period at Subtropical Agricultural Research Station near Brooksville, FL. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of additive vs nonadditive genetic effects on reproductive and calf survival traits in a population of cattle whose foundation was selected on the basis of superior reproductive performance under harsh environmental conditions. Best linear unbiased estimates (BLUE) of direct additive effect (measured as the deviation of Brahman additive breed effect from Angus) for pregnancy rate and calf age, measured as traits of the dam, were 6 +/- 3% and -7.2 +/- 2.1 d, respectively. Thus, Bos taurus germ plasm did not increase pregnancy rate but resulted in an earlier calving date. The BLUE of nonadditive (intralocus) direct genetic effects measured as deviations from intralocus group genetic effects in the parental breeds on pregnancy rate and calf age at weaning were 25 +/- 4% and -6.4 +/- 2.5 d. Nonadditive effects on pregnancy rate were the primary cause of the superior reproductive rates observed in Brahman crossbred cows. Calf survival was considered to be a trait of the calf, and BLUE of direct additive, direct nonadditive, maternal additive and maternal nonadditive genetic effects was obtained. Only maternal nonadditive genetic effects were found to have a significant effect on survival rate (9 +/- 4%).