Linear Traits Research Articles

Evaluation of variability of morphometric traits of plants and age spectrum of cenopopulations of Matthiola daghestanica (Brassicaceae) of the Piedmont and Mid‐mountain Dagestan, Russia

Aim: Study of intra‐ and interpopulation variability of quantitative traits of Matthiola daghestanica (Conti) N. Busch and assessment of the age spectrum of natural cenopopulations of Piedmont and Mid‐mountain Dagestan. The material consisted of 90 plants (shoots with inflorescences) taken from coenopopulations of various locations of the studied species (450, 610 and 960 m above sea level). An analysis of the variability of 12 morphological traits of M. daghestanica was carried out. To assess the age spectrum, 5x5 m test plots were laid out at three points (75 m²), where the age (ontogenetic) states of M. daghestanica guided by methods from the works of T.A. Rabotnov (1950) and A.A. Uranov (1957).The variability of the morphological traits of the Dagestan endemic M. daghestanica has been studied and its age spectrum in the natural cenopopulations of Piedmont and Mid‐mountain Dagestan has been assessed. The most variable were the weight traits. Analysis of the significance of the differences between the selected groups using the t‐test confirmed that “Chakh‐Chakh” is highly isolated from other coenopopulations, and to the greatest extent from “Chirkata”. The linear trait “length vegetative features” introduces the greatest significant differences between all coenopopulations. The percentage of age states from the total number of individuals varies among populations. The age spectrum of M. daghestanica in the “Chirkata” cenopopulation is represented by a predominance of the juvenile (25 %) and virginal (25 %) groups and in the “Ashilta” cenopopulation by the adult group (23.9 %). Among the age states of the generative period in all cenopopulations, young generative individuals prevail (16.7–19.4 %). The largest number of middle‐aged generative individuals is in the “Chakh‐Chakh” cenopopulation (16.3 %).Analysis of the variability of morphological characteristics of M. daghestanica plants showed that linear and numerical traits for the three cenopopulations are less variable. Significant variability was revealed in weight characteristics: “mass caulis and leaves” (518.3–818.7 mg); “total mass shoot” (990.7–1342.8 mg). The squared Mahalanobis distances of the characters studied revealed the isolation of the “Chakh‐Chakh” cenopopulation from the other two (“Achilta”, “Chirkata”). The age spectrum of M. daghestanica coenopopulations is similar in the Piedmont and Mid‐mountain Dagestan, despite the different number of age states. Cenopopulations of M. daghestanica are normal, capable of self‐renewal, characterized by recovery indices of 1.2–2.8 %.

Energy landscapes of peptide-MHC binding.

Molecules of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) present short protein fragments on the cell surface, an important step in T cell immune recognition. MHC-I molecules process peptides from intracellular proteins; MHC-II molecules act in antigen-presenting cells and present peptides derived from extracellular proteins. Here we show that the sequence-dependent energy landscapes of MHC-peptide binding encode class-specific nonlinearities (epistasis). MHC-I has a smooth landscape with global epistasis; the binding energy is a simple deformation of an underlying linear trait. This form of epistasis enhances the discrimination between strong-binding peptides. In contrast, MHC-II has a rugged landscape with idiosyncratic epistasis: binding depends on detailed amino acid combinations at multiple positions of the peptide sequence. The form of epistasis affects the learning of energy landscapes from training data. For MHC-I, a low-complexity problem, we derive a simple matrix model of binding energies that outperforms current models trained by machine learning. For MHC-II, higher complexity prevents learning by simple regression methods. Epistasis also affects the energy and fitness effects of mutations in antigen-derived peptides (epitopes). In MHC-I, large-effect mutations occur predominantly in anchor positions of strong-binding epitopes. In MHC-II, large effects depend on the background epitope sequence but are broadly distributed over the epitope, generating a bigger target for escape mutations due to loss of presentation. Together, our analysis shows how an energy landscape of protein-protein binding constrains the target of escape mutations from T cell immunity, linking the complexity of the molecular interactions to the dynamics of adaptive immune response.

Modeling embryo survival: Genetic and environmental influences on eye-up rate in a north American Atlantic salmon selective breeding program

Selective breeding programs improve target traits but can also unintentionally change genetically correlated traits in the selected strain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) in Franklin, Maine maintains a North American Atlantic salmon selective breeding program focused on improving commercially important traits (e.g., carcass weight). However, the program has experienced a significant decline in the percent of eyed embryos over its 14 years of operation, leading to concerns that reproductive performance was being unintentionally changed by selection for the target traits. The aims of this study were to 1) model eye up success as a potentially heritable trait utilizing the recorded pedigree and 2) assess the relationship between eye-up rate and environmental conditions experienced by the broodstock. Over 14 years of data encompassing 1537 full-sib families produced by 1537 dams and 885 sires was analyzed. Counts of eyed embryos and carcass weight were analyzed with a linear multi-trait trait model that included maternal genetic effects and a spawn year effect to determine the strength of genetic and environmental influences on the eyed embryo rate. To investigate the environmental influences in more detail, we assessed the correlation between water quality parameters in the broodstock rearing system observed over the same 14-year time period and the estimated spawn year effects. There was small heritability of the direct genetic effect (0.059 ± 0.009) and the maternal genetic effect (0.039 ± 0.013). Comparatively, the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the maternal environmental effect was moderate (0.165 ± 0.012). The genetic correlations between carcass weight and eye up rate were very small and had a large amount of uncertainty. The correlation between the direct genetic effects on eye-up and carcass weight was −0.0528 ± 0.1469 while the correlation between the maternal genetic effect on eye-up and the direct genetic effect on carcass weight was 0.2030 ± 0.1791. The correlation between maternal common environmental effects on the two traits was also low at 0.0676 ± −0.0804. The effect of spawn year was statistically significant (p < 0.01), and the values were negatively correlated with mean un-ionized ammonia (mg/L, −0.56, p = 0.04,), nitrate concentrations (mg/L r = −0.65, p = 0.01) and temperature (°C, r = −0.61, p = 0.02) experienced by the broodstock prior to spawning. Overall, the results suggest that the decrease in eyed embryos over time was not caused by inadvertent selection but instead due to increases in water temperature and/or nitrogenous waste concentrations in the broodstock rearing system. Further investigation of the mechanisms behind these apparent environmentally induced declines and potential mitigation measures to prevent decreases in eye-up rates are needed.

Efficiency of computerized adaptive testing with a cognitively designed item bank.

An item bank is key to applying computerized adaptive testing (CAT). The traditional approach to developing an item bank requires content experts to design each item individually, which is a time-consuming and costly process. The cognitive design system (CDS) approach offers a solution by automating item generation. However, the CDS approach has a specific way of calibrating or predicting item difficulty that affects the measurement efficiency of CAT. A simulation study was conducted to compare the efficiency of CAT using both calibration and prediction models. The results show that, although the predictive model (linear logistic trait model; LLTM) shows a higher root mean square error (RMSE) than the baseline model (Rasch), it requires only a few additional items to achieve comparable RMSE. Importantly, the number of additional items needed decreases as the explanatory rate of the model increases. These results indicate that the slight reduction in measurement efficiency due to prediction item difficulty is acceptable. Moreover, the use of prediction item difficulty can significantly reduce or even eliminate the need for item pretesting, thereby reducing the costs associated with item calibration.

Measurement of joint angles for the objective assessment of limb conformation in dairy calves

Poor limb conformation in cattle is believed to be closely associated with claw and limb disorders. Limb conformation is part of genetic evaluation and is assessed visually. In this descriptive study, the assessment of conformation in calves was evaluated objectively using joint angle measurements. A total of 100, 30- to 90-d-old, heifer calves of the Brown Swiss (n = 50) and Holstein (n = 50) breeds were photographed from both sides and the front and rear. Carpal, tarsal, autopodium and fetlock joint angles of the fore- or hind limbs were measured on the images using anatomic reference points and the ImageJ/Fiji® program. Each angle was measured 3 times, and the mean was used for analysis. Values from both sides were pooled. Deviations from defined standard angles were classified as slight or moderate. The positions of the front and hind feet were measured and scored. On average, the calves had moderate "knock-kneed" carpal conformation, and the autopodium of the front limb had a slight lateral deviation. In the rear view, the calves had slight, but close to moderate, "cow-hocked" tarsal conformation, and the autopodium of the hind limbs was parallel, but close to slightly deviated. Holstein calves were moderately, and Brown Swiss calves were slightly "cow-hocked". A moderate lateral deviation occurred in the metacarpal-digit angle in the front view and a slight lateral deviation occurred in the metatarsal-digit angle in the rear view. The front feet position score was >17° in 69% of the calves, and the hind feet position score was <17° in 90% of the calves. In the side views, the calves were slightly "over at the carpus" and slightly "straight-hocked" and had average fetlock conformation. In the mean values, most measured joint angles did not correspond to the straight or parallel classifications in our calves; moderate "knock-kneed" and slight "cow-hocked", and "toed-out" classifications were most common. The limb angles measured were based on anatomical features and therefore are unlikely to change substantially with increasing age. These aspects should be considered when assessing linear traits and investigating the relationship between limb conformation and claw diseases.

Genomic analyses of withers height and linear conformation traits in German Warmblood horses using imputed sequence-level genotypes

BackgroundBody conformation, including withers height, is a major selection criterion in horse breeding and is associated with other important traits, such as health and performance. However, little is known about the genomic background of equine conformation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use imputed sequence-level genotypes from up to 4891 German Warmblood horses to identify genomic regions associated with withers height and linear conformation traits. Furthermore, the traits were genetically characterised and putative causal variants for withers height were detected.ResultsA genome-wide association study (GWAS) for withers height confirmed the presence of a previously known quantitative trait locus (QTL) on Equus caballus (ECA) chromosome 3 close to the LCORL/NCAPG locus, which explained 16% of the phenotypic variance for withers height. An additional significant association signal was detected on ECA1. Further investigations of the region on ECA3 identified a few promising candidate causal variants for withers height, including a nonsense mutation in the coding sequence of the LCORL gene. The estimated heritability for withers height was 0.53 and ranged from 0 to 0.34 for the conformation traits. GWAS identified significantly associated variants for more than half of the investigated conformation traits, among which 13 showed a peak on ECA3 in the same region as withers height. Genetic parameter estimation revealed high genetic correlations between these traits and withers height for the QTL on ECA3.ConclusionsThe use of imputed sequence-level genotypes from a large study cohort led to the discovery of novel QTL associated with conformation traits in German Warmblood horses. The results indicate the high relevance of the QTL on ECA3 for various conformation traits, including withers height, and contribute to deciphering causal mutations for body size in horses.

Evaluation of predictive ability of linear type gonadal traits on reproductive capacity of breeding dairy bulls.

Dimensions of linear type traits facilitate selection of livestock for breeding and rearing. To date, use of linear type traits for selection of breeding bulls is highly concentric to scrotal circumference (SC), with probable overlook to other important traits. Present study reported the importance of various gonadal linear type traits on spermatozoa production, age-related changes in gonadal linear type traits of bulls and predictive ability of these traits on bulls' reproductive potentials. Among all gonadal traits, testicular density (TD), scrotal volume (SV), paired testicular weight (PWT) and SC were found most important predictor variables in order, which can discriminate between good/poor breeding bulls, that is, produced frozen semen doses (FSD) or not. Dimensions of gonadal traits increased significantly up to 36 months age and thereafter, development became slow and negligible. In contrast, TD decreased by 30%, 51%, 64%, 68% and 71% at 12, 24, 36, 48 and >49 months age, respectively, from its base value at 6 months. Bulls of lower TD (≤0.88 g/cm3) had significantly higher ejaculate volume (+9%), sperm motility, sperm concentration (+100 million/mL) and sperm output (+26%)/ejaculate as compared to bulls of higher TD (>0.88 g/cm3). Discriminant function was developed using TD, SV, PWT and SC to identify bulls of superior reproductive potentials. It was concluded that among the investigated traits, TD was the strongest to discriminate between FSD and Non-FSD bulls. Therefore, our findings suggested that TD could be more potential trait than SC for dairy bulls' breeding soundness evaluation and assessment of reproductive ability.

Use of data mining algorithms to predict body weight of Dorper sheep Breed in two selected villages of Lepelle-Nkumpi local municipality in Limpopo province, South Africa

Sheep farmers in village areas find it difficult to estimate body weight without the weighing tools. The best fitted model for estimation of sheep body weight is not conclusive. Classification and regression tree (CART), Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID), Exhaustive chi-square automatic interaction detection (Ex-CHAID) and Multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) were used to predict body weight (BW) of 306 Dorper sheep (female = 244 and male = 62) aged 1 to 2 years from linear body measurement traits such as rump height (RH), rump length (RL), heart girth (HG), withers height (WH), and body length (BL). Goodness of fit criteria's such as Pearson's correlation coefficients (r), coefficient of determination (R2), Akaike's information criterion AIC and adjusted R2 (Adj.R2) were computed for data mining algorithms performance assessment. The results indicated that MARS was the best data mining algorithm with r of 0.979, R2 of 0.958, Adj.R2 of 0.957, RMSE of 2.503 and AIC of 422.25. The MARS model provided the most appropriate predictive capability in the prediction of body weight for Dorper sheep with HG, WH, RH, BL, and sex (male) as the important traits. As a result, MARS data mining algorithm might be used to identify factors that might be vital to improve body weight of Dorper sheep for breeding programs.

Estimation of genetic parameters for maintenance energy requirements and residual feed intake in Nellore cattle.

We estimated heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlation estimates for maintenance energy requirements (NEmR), residual feed intake (RFI), growth, carcass and reproductive indicator traits, using data from 41 feed efficiency trials in Brazil, comprising 4381 males and females. Continuous traits were analysed using a linear animal model and threshold traits were analysed using a threshold animal model. The heritability estimates were low for RFI (0.190) and NEmR (0.193); other heritabilities were mainly moderate (growth and carcass traits) or high (sexual precocity traits). The genetic correlation of RFI with NEmR was high (0.701). The genetic correlations of NEmR were low with carcass and reproductive traits, and moderate with growth traits. Thus, selection to improve weaning weight and female sexual precocity indicator traits would not affect maintenance energy requirement. Genetic selection to reduce maintenance energy requirements is feasible and would also reduce DMI and RFI. Selection to improve RFI can be used to identify animals with lower maintenance energy requirements. Long-term selection to reduce RFI and NEmR would have favourable effects on yearling weight, carcass muscle indicator traits and female sexual precocity. Genetic (co)variance component estimates for NEmR, in conjunction with economic values of selection criteria, may be used to develop novel approaches for genetic selection to improve efficiency of beef production.

Tracing evolutionary trajectories in the presence of gene flow in South American temperate lizards (Squamata: Liolaemus kingii group).

Evolutionary processes behind lineage divergence often involve multidimensional differentiation. However, in the context of recent divergences, the signals exhibited by each dimension may not converge. In such scenarios, incomplete lineage sorting, gene flow, and scarce phenotypic differentiation are pervasive. Here, we integrated genomic (RAD loci of 90 individuals), phenotypic (linear and geometric traits of 823 and 411 individuals, respectively), spatial, and climatic data to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a speciation continuum of liolaemid lizards (Liolaemus kingii group). Specifically, we (a) inferred the population structure of the group and contrasted it with the phenotypic variability; (b) assessed the role of postdivergence gene flow in shaping phylogeographic and phenotypic patterns; and (c) explored ecogeographic drivers of diversification across time and space. We inferred eight genomic clusters exhibiting leaky genetic borders coincident with geographic transitions. We also found evidence of postdivergence gene flow resulting in transgressive phenotypic evolution in one species. Predicted ancestral niches unveiled suitable areas in southern and eastern Patagonia during glacial and interglacial periods. Our study underscores integrating different data and model-based approaches to determine the underlying causes of diversification, a challenge faced in the study of recently diverged groups. We also highlight Liolaemus as a model system for phylogeographic and broader evolutionary studies.

Udderly accurate: A deep learning based modelling for determination of dairyness of Sahiwal cow using computer vision

Dairy farming is a crucial agricultural practice for food and nutritional security. Selection of the best milching animals has always been a challenging task for optimising production efficiency. The efficacy of milk yield production is contingent upon a number of factors including inherent linear traits. Linear traits refer to the quantifiable physical characteristics that are associated with the production and reproduction capabilities of dairy animals. This article presents an innovative approach for the classification of Sahiwal cows into high, medium and low yielder categories based on images featuring linear traits through emerging deep learning and computer vision techniques. A large dataset of 4110 images highlighting important linear traits such as udder size, shape, and texture of different categories of Sahiwal cows has been created for training, validation and testing of the model. Images were collected from the herd of Sahiwal cows maintained at the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. The dataset was pre-processed using image augmentation techniques to enhance the model’s robustness. Different architectures of CNN models namely InceptionV3, ResNet50 and GoogleNet were trained and optimised. The Inception V3 model demonstrated the best result with 85.64% testing accuracy among all these models in classifying the cow. The developed model can be used under field conditions to determine the dairyness of a cow in real time mode in place of human experts. Additionally, the model’s interpretability is evaluated through feature visualisation, showcasing the importance of different udder features in milk yield prediction.

Morphological variation of the European Pond Turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus 1758), on the island of Menorca

The European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) is a widely distributed species in Menorca (Balearic Islands,western Mediterranean) and it likely was introduced in historical times. In this study, we evaluated sexual dimorphismand morphological variation of E. orbicularis on the island from a sample of 455 individuals captured at ten surveysites. In these individuals, we measured seven linear traits related to body size. In addition, we measured two shapedescriptors (carapace and plastron shape) and iris and plastral coloration. The results showed very pronounced sexualdimorphism, with females being larger than males and also having longer and broader plastra with higher carapaces.The site of capture had significant effects on carapace, plastral shape, and coloration. Both males and females had darkorlight-colored plastra, but some males had almost completely dark plastra (to 99% dark), whereas in females, themaximum extent of black plastra was lower (79%). The sexes also differed in iridal chromatic attributes, with femalesmore frequently having yellow and males having red or orange irises. However, this was not diagnostic of sexual identity,as 13% of females had red irises and 15% of males had yellow irises.

The Zenga cattle of Uganda: Insights from morphometric measurements

Ankole Longhorn (ALH), Nganda (NGA) and Small East African Shorthorn Zebu (SEAZ) are indigenous Ugandan cattle and poorly characterized. The ancestry of ALH is traced to lateral horned Zebu and indigenous African long horned taurine. The ALH and SEAZ are parent breeds of NGA. Therefore, the current study aimed at phenotypic characterization of Nganda (NGA) and Teso Zebu (TSZ) in Uganda. Data were collected on 41 variables including geographic location, breed and morphometric measurements. A sample of 129 NGA from central and 63 TSZ from eastern Uganda were studied. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated. Generally, the NGA was a chest-humped breed akin to its parent breeds. The breed had a solid brown coat and extremities (e.g., hooves) compared to the wide color variation tending to solid black in the TSZ. The NGA had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean values for all linear body measurements except height at withers. However, all linear measurements except ear length were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the interaction between breed and sex. The rump profile showed distinct breed differences. Our results demonstrate superiority of NGA over the TSZ in terms of linear traits. These results are pertinent in planning the sustainable utilization of these breeds.

Length-mass allometries of the larvae of aquatic dipterans: differences between taxa, morphological traits, and methods.

Body mass underpins many ecological processes at the level of individuals, populations, and communities. Often estimated in arthropods from linear morphological traits such as body length or head width, these relationships can vary even between closely related taxa. Length-mass relationships of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae are poorly known despite the importance of this family to disease and aquatic ecology. To fill this gap, we measured ontogenetic changes in linear traits (body length, head width, and thorax width) and dry and wet masses and estimated length- and width-mass relationships in larvae of 3 culicid species inhabiting different niches: the tropical Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), the temperate Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758), and the snowmelt Ochlerotatus punctor (Kirby, 1837). We compared our results with published length-mass allometries of other aquatic dipteran larvae. We showed that thorax width and body length, but not head width, reliably predicted body mass for our 3 species. The length-mass allometry slopes in aquatic dipterans varied considerably between and within families but were independent of phylogeny, specimen handling, preservation techniques, and data fitting methods. Slope estimates became less precise with decreasing sample size and size range. To obtain reliable estimates of the allometric slopes, we have thus recommended using data on all larval stages for intraspecific allometries and a wide range of species for interspecific allometries. We also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of length-mass allometries obtained for other taxa or collected at lower taxonomic resolutions, e.g., when using length-mass relationships to estimate biomass production at a given site.

ЛИНЕЙНАЯ ОЦЕНКА БЫКОВ ГОЛШТИНСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ ПО ЭКСТЕРЬЕРНОМУ ТИПУ ИХ ДОЧЕРЕЙ В ТОО «БЕК+»

The article presents the characteristics of linear evaluation of exterior of the first calving heifers of different lineage in the conditions of dairy complex of Beck+ LLP located in the Fyodorov district of the Kostanay region. Three experimental groups of cows were formed based on the different lineage of their first calving: Vis Back Ideal, Reflection Sovereign, and Osborndale Ivanhoe. The assessment of first-calving cows' exterior traits was conducted using 24 indicators and 9-point scale from day 30 to day 150 of lactation. Throughout the study, cows from the Vis Back Ideal and Reflection Sovereign lines demonstrated their superiority in overall body conformation, dairy type, and limb structure compared to their herd mates from the Osborndale Ivanhoe line. Across most of the evaluated traits such as hip height, rear width, udder depth, udder attachment, and hind leg posture, first-calving cows from the Vis Back Ideal line exhibited an advantage over those from the Reflection Sovereign and Osborndale Ivanhoe lines. A comprehensive evaluation of exterior traits was conducted, revealing that first-calving cows from the Vis Back Ideal and Reflection Sovereign lines are classified as "good," while their herd mates from the Osborndale Ivanhoe line are classified as "satisfactory." These finding confirm that servicing bulls significantly influence the expression of linear exterior traits in offspring.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Linear Classification Traits in Hanwoo cows Using Multiple Trait Animal Model

This study was conducted to analyzed the statistical model of Hanwoo(Korean native cattle) cows linear classification trait, analyze the structure and environmental effects of linear classification data, and estimate genetic parameters for linear classification data by applying the analyzed environmental effects to use them as basic data for improving the body measurement and appearance of Hanwoo cows animals at the farm level. The data used in this study collected cows linear classification data that participated in the Hanwoo cows linear classification project promoted by the Korea Animal Improvement Association(KAIA) from 2014 to 2019 to quantify the body measurement of cows and use them for livestock improvement, selection, and culling. Among them, the most recent linear classification data was selected as analysis data, the previous data was deleted, outliers in the data were removed, and 369,723 Hanwoo cows suitable for Estimated Breeding Value(EBV) analysis were used. In addition, outliers were removed from the Hanwoo cows linear classification data, and the final score calculated by applying level and grade trait data and four data such as body height, body width, rump length, and pinbone width, which were found to have a high genetic correlation among 19 traits, was used. After removing outliers from the data, the most recent data was selected and used for analysis based on the linear classification month age when the linear classification data was repeatedly recorded for each parity. The least square mean analysis by linear classification trait showed that body height, which is most involved in body measurement and growth, steadily increased up to about 50 months, but there was no change thereafter. It was analyzed that the growth of Hanwoo cows ends on average when they are 50 months old, and the increase in body height slowed after the calf was produced. In the basic statistical analysis of linear classification traits, the average and standard deviation of body height, body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 6.22±1.33, 5.83±1.22, 5.88±1.20, 5.63±1.32 and 80.0±1.83. To analyzed the factors of environmental effects, the farm-birth year-birth season was set as one effect HYS(Herd-Year-Season) to establish the BCS(Body Condition Score), the classifier, the linear classification month, and the contemporary group, and a variance analysis was conducted to confirm that there was a high significant difference(p&lt;0.001) with traits in BCS, classifier, linear classification month, and HYS. In the estimation of the genetic parameters of linear classification traits for Hanwoo cows, the heritability of body height, body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were estimated to be 0.42, 0.18, 0.34, 0.25 and 0.37, respectively. In the analysis of the genetic correlation coefficient between linear classification traits, body height, body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 0.80, 0.96, 0.95 and 0.94, respectively, pinbone width and final score were analyzed as 0.84, 0.84, and 0.89, rump length and pinbone width and final score were 0.94 and 0.92, and pinbone width and final score were analyzed as having a high genetic correlation of 0.97. In the phenotypic correlation coefficient analysis, body height, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 0.39, 0.63, 0.54, and 0.70, respectively, while body width, rump length, pinbone width, and final score were 0.40, 0.48, and 0.65, and rump length, pinbone width, and final score were analyzed as 0.61 and 0.70, and pinbone width and final score were 0.73, showing a high correlation between the traits. In the future, continuous research on linear classification traits should be conducted to find out the ideal body type ability of Hanwoo cows for growth ability and fertility trait, and it is believed that the productivity of Hanwoo should be improved through this.

EFFECT OF GENOTYPE, SEX AND AGE AND ITS ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BODY WEIGHTS AND BODY MEASUREMENTS IN INDIGENOUS CHICKEN POPULATION

A study was carried out to determine the effect of genotype, sex and age and its association between body weights and body measurements in indigenous chicken population. The parent stocks were sourced from the local markets within Dutsin-Ma and its environs. Each parental genetic group was separated into breeding groups of 1:10 cock to hen, respectively on a deep litter. Performance data of body weight (BW), chest girth (CG), body length (BL), shank length (SL), shank circumference (SL), wing length (WL) and keel length (KL), respectively of 120 progenies generated at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks of age were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS, Version, 9.1). Generally, body increased with age. The overall mean obtained were 659.64 g, 20.93 cm, 22.12 cm, 8.00 cm, 11.93 cm, and 8.24 cm for body weight, chest girth, body length, shank length, wing length and keel length, respectively. The effect of genotype on body weight and body measurements were significant (P&lt;0.05). The naked neck chickens had higher values for all the morphological traits, followed by normal and frizzle feathered birds, respectively. Males had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher body weights and body measurements than females. The phenotypic correlations among growth traits were positive moderate, high and significant (P&lt;0.05). The estimates ranged from 0.49 to 0.73 between body weight and body measurements. Highest estimates were observed between body weight and chest girth (rp=0.73) in naked neck chicken. Correlations between sexes were generally high and positive and ranged from 0.61 to 0.77 and 0.56 to 0.70 in males and females, respectively. The highest (rp=0.77) positive coefficient was recorded between body weight and wing length in males and between body weight and body length (rp=0.71) in the females. This implies that selection for improvement in the linear body traits could lead to improvement in body weight of these chickens.

THE CORRELATIVE VARIABILITY OF THE FINAL SCORE BY LINEAR CLASSIFICATION AND LIFETIME PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS AMONG BLACK-AND-WHITE DAIRY COWS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS

A study on the correlative variability of the final score by linear classification and lifetime productivity indicators of Black-and-White Dairy cows of different breeds was conducted in the herd of the private enterprise "Burynske" in the Podlisniv branch of the Stepaniv territorial community. Foreign studies on the cows evaluation of different breeds by conformation type using the linear classification method were analyzed, which proved that the lifetime productivity indicators of animals depend on many genotypic and paratypic factors. In this direction, the existence of significant moderate and close positive correlations between the majority of linear traits and functional life of cows in the herd was established. It has also been proven that the final score level of cows by type is closely correlated with descriptive traits that significantly affect lifetime productivity indicators. According to the results of our own research, it was found that degree of the final score of first-born cows for the conformation type directly determines the variability level of indicators to the duration of use and lifetime productivity within both experimental breeds. Cows of the Holstein and Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breeds with a rating of "very good" exceeded animals with ratings of "good plus" and "good" by indicators of duration productive use and milk productivity throughout life. Holstein cows rated "very good" were better than animals rated "good plus" and "good" in terms of lifetime milk yield and milk fat yield, respectively by 4589 and 21653 kg, and 191 and 918 kg. The final score, in the presence of a correlation with lifetime productivity indicators, can serve as a predictor of longevity, which will allow effective selection of first-born dairy cows based on the results of a linear evaluation in the first months of lactation.

Sequenced-based GWAS for linear classification traits in Belgian Blue beef cattle reveals new coding variants in genes regulating body size in mammals.

Cohorts of individuals that have been genotyped and phenotyped for genomic selection programs offer the opportunity to better understand genetic variation associated with complex traits. Here, we performed an association study for traits related to body size and muscular development in intensively selected beef cattle. We leveraged multiple trait information to refine and interpret the significant associations. After a multiple-step genotype imputation to the sequence-level for 14,762 Belgian Blue beef (BBB) cows, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for 11 traits related to muscular development and body size. The 37 identified genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) could be condensed in 11 unique QTL regions based on their position. Evidence for pleiotropic effects was found in most of these regions (e.g., correlated association signals, overlap between credible sets (CS) of candidate variants). Thus, we applied a multiple-trait approach to combine information from different traits to refine the CS. In several QTL regions, we identified strong candidate genes known to be related to growth and height in other species such as LCORL-NCAPG or CCND2. For some of these genes, relevant candidate variants were identified in the CS, including three new missense variants in EZH2, PAPPA2 and ADAM12, possibly two additional coding variants in LCORL, and candidate regulatory variants linked to CCND2 and ARMC12. Strikingly, four other QTL regions associated with dimension or muscular development traits were related to five (recessive) deleterious coding variants previously identified. Our study further supports that a set of common genes controls body size across mammalian species. In particular, we added new genes to the list of those associated with height in both humans and cattle. We also identified new strong candidate causal variants in some of these genes, strengthening the evidence of their causality. Several breed-specific recessive deleterious variants were identified in our QTL regions, probably as a result of the extreme selection for muscular development in BBB cattle.

Heritability and correlative variability of the conformation linear traits of first-born cows of black-and-white cattle with milk yield

An in-depth analysis the publications of domestic and foreign authors was carried out in the aspect of research on the heritability of linear traits of the conformation type and their correlative variability with milk productivity.The research authors established that the level of existing variability in the heredity of linear traits depends on many genotypic and paratypic factors. However, they argue that despite the variability of traits heritability of dairy cows conformation, their level is generally sufficient for effective selection by linear type traits. Studies on the correlation between linear traits of type and milk productivity of cows of various breeds around the world have shown a high level of this relationship. This testifies about the effectiveness of indirect selection of dairy cattle by type, which will allow obtaining not only constitutionally strong and healthy animals, but also with high milk productivity.The population-genetic aspect of determining the heritability and correlative variability of linear traits with milking of first-born Holstein cows of domestic selection and Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy in the private enterprise "Burynske" of the Podlisniv branch of the Stepaniv territorial community in Sumy district was described. The magnitudes and reliability of the heritability coefficients of group linear traits indicate that they are controlled by the genotype of animals by 24.5-42.2 % in first-born cows of the Holstein breed, and by 26.6-40.1 % in female cows of Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed. The final score by type of 48.2 and 45.4 %, respectively, ensures the efficiency selection of cows by genotype. Variability of descriptive traits of Holstein cows ranges from insignificant and unreliable (h2=0.084; location of front teats) to high and reliable (h2=0.484; angularity). In females of the same age of Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed, the variability varies from 0.077 (location of rear teats) to 0.422 (angularity).In Holstein and Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy cows, the most reliable relationship was found between the characteristics of the dairy type (0.428 and 0.387), body (0.446 and 0.439), udder (0.486 and 0.478) and, especially, the final type score (0.492 and 0.488), which gives reason to assert about the effectiveness of selection based on these traits.The highest level of reliable positive correlation with the amount of milk yield for the first lactation was found according to the scores of descriptive traits of Holstein and Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breeds, respectively: height (r=0.363 and 0.322), body depth (r=0.468 and 0.484), angularity (r=0.477 and 0.466), back width (r=0.366 and 0.322), posture of pelvic limbs (r=0.369 and 374), attachment of front (r=0.482 and 0.426) and rear (r=0.371 and 0.351) udder parts, central ligament (r=0.364 and 0.375) and locomotion (r=0.363 and 0.322) at Р&lt;0.001. Key words: Holstein, UkrainianBlack-and-Whitedairy, lineartypeevaluation, conformation, milkyield, first-borncows.