Relationship between heterosis, weight gain, and body measurements of Nellore and Charolais calves

Tiago Albandes Fernandes,João Restle,Otoniel Geter Lauz Ferreira,Liliane Cerdótes,Ricardo Zambarda Vaz

doi:10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2020.v55.01821

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to assess the effect of genetic group and heterosis on the relationship between body weight and morphometric measurements, in purebred and crossbred animals from the second (G2) and third (G3) generations of Nellore and Charolais calves. Body weight (BW), average daily weight gain (ADG), foreleg circumference (FC), thoracic girth (TG), body length (BL), and croup height (CH) were measured at birth and at 63, 210, and 365 days of age in animals from G2 and G3. Charolais animals were superior to Nellore ones for gains BW, ADG, BL, and TG, as well as for the ratio between BW gain and CH gain; Nellore animals were superior for CH gains. Crossbred animals of both generations were superior to the purebred animals for gains of BW, BL, and CH. In G2, the predominance of Charolais genes resulted in greater gains of BW, ADG, FC, and TG. The G3 animals were superior to the purebred animals for ADG, FC, and TG. No differences were found for the ratio between gains of weight and morphometric measurements. Heterosis and complementarity are apparent for weight and body measurements of crossbred calves from rotational crossings.

Highlights

IntroductionBody weight is the main criterion of the selection and management (feeding and health) of animals (Lucila Sobrinho et al, 2013)
Body weight is the main criterion of the selection and management of animals (Lucila Sobrinho et al, 2013)
From 63 to 210, and from 210 to 365 days of age, the Charolais animals in the present study showed a greater average daily weight gain and a greater absolute daily weight gain than the Nellore animals

Summary

Introduction

Body weight is the main criterion of the selection and management (feeding and health) of animals (Lucila Sobrinho et al, 2013). Morphometric measurements can be used as a selection criterion based on animal growth (Lesosky et al, 2013) and are useful to understand this growth (Choy et al, 2017), when associating them with body weight. The result is a better description of individuals and populations, indicating bodily changes over time. These measurements are indirect predictors of performance and productive longevity (Lee & Kim, 2010) and can be used to estimate animal weight and conformation (Fernandes et al, 2010; Wangchuk et al, 2018)

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Conclusion