Restricted Procedure Research Articles

Conditioning of disused Ra-226 radioactive sealed sources in Egypt

The present work describes the technical information on issues associated with the management of disused Ra-226 radioactive sources. The different settings needed to condition these sources in stainless steel capsules, working area setup, packaging preparation, Ra-226 source characterization, capsule welding, leakage test and data information are completely described. The radium sources addressed in the present work are mainly those which have been used in medicine and for industrial applications, in the form of sealed radiation sources. In Egypt hospitals are among the largest users of sealed radium radioactive sources which are mostly used for brachytherapy. The inventory of radium sources in large hospitals could be in the hundreds. There is a real risk that sources may be lost or mishandled, if very restricted procedures are not followed. An additional problem with these sources is that they are often leaking, due to internal overpressure. The small size of the sources, portability and high apparent value (due to the materials of encapsulation) increase the risk of theft.

Genetic correlations between growth and reproductive traits in Zandi sheep

For the first time, the current study reports the genetic and phenotypic correlations between growth and reproductive traits in Zandi sheep. The data were comprised of 4,309 records of lamb growth traits from 1,378 dams and 273 sires plus 2,588 records of reproductive traits from 577 ewes. These data were extracted from available performance records at Khojir Breeding Station of Zandi sheep in Tehran, Iran, from 1993 to 2008. Correlations were estimated from two animal models in a bivariate analysis using restricted maximum likelihood procedure between lamb growth traits [birth weight (BW), weaning weight at 3months of age (WW), as well as six-month weight (6MW)] and ewe reproductive traits [litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB), and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW)]. The genetic correlations between BW and reproductive traits varied from low to high ranges from 0.10 for BW-LSB to 0.86 for BW-TLWB. WW was moderately (0.37) to highly (0.96) correlated with all the reproductive traits. Moreover, the genetic correlations were observed between 6MW and reproductive traits, varied from 0.19 to 0.95. Relationships between growth and reproductive traits ranged from 0.01 for BW-LSW to 0.28 for BW-TLWB in phenotypic effects. Results indicated that selection to improve WW would have high effect on genetic response in TLWW, and also, these results could be effective for all of the reproductive traits in Zandi sheep.

A restricted multinomial hybrid selection procedure

Analysts using simulation models often must assess a large number of alternatives in order to determine which are most effective. If effectiveness corresponds to the likelihood of yielding the best outcome, this becomes a multinomial selection problem. Unfortunately, existing procedures were developed primarily for evaluating small sets of alternatives, so parameters required to implement them may not be readily available or the sampling costs may be prohibitive when a large number of alternatives are present. We propose a truncated, sequential multinomial subset selection procedure that restricts the maximum subset size. Numerical comparisons show that our procedure can be much more efficient than the leading unrestricted procedure. Our procedure requires only one calculated parameter rather than four. We provide extensive tables for cases involving large numbers of alternatives.

Genetic parameter estimates for selected type traits and milk production traits of Holstein cattle in southern China

Phenotypic and genetic parameters among udder traits (udder depth, UD; median suspensory line, MS; fore udder attachment, FUA; rear udder height, RUH; rear udder width, RUW), final score (FS), and milk production traits (305-day milk yield, 305 DM; 305- day milk-fat yield, 305 DF; 305-day milk-protein yield, 305 DP) were estimated using a derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedure with an animal model. The results showed that heritability estimates for selected traits ranged from 0.11 to 0.24. Strong positive genetic correlations were observed for MS, RUH, and RUW with FS (0.42-0.72). A positive genetic relationship was also estimated between MS and 305 DM (0.79). The genetic correlation between UD and 305 DM was -0.20. Positive genetic correlations were found between RUW and milk production traits (0.44-0.89). RUH also had positive genetic relationships with 305 DM (0.27) and 305 DF (0.16). Moderate positive genetic correlations were estimated between FS and milk production traits (0.25-0.35). The genetic parameters calculated from field records will provide valuable information for genetic improvement in type and milk production traits of Holstein cattle in southern China.

평창지역 거세출하우 자료를 이용한 유전모수 추정

The objective of this study was to establish genetic evaluation systems with carcass data collected by 68 individual farms from 2007 to 2011 in Pyeongchang area of Kangwon province. All the possible of environment effects were corrected by analysis of variance (ANOVA) to estimate more accurate genetic parameters. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated from carcass data collected from Hanwoo steers(n=10,441) born in Pyeongchang region from 2005 to 2008. Traits evaluated included carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), back fat thickness (BF) and marbling score (MS). As for the mean value and standard deviation for carcass traits, CWT, EMA, BF and MS were 424.5, 92, 13.7 and 5.7. Parameters were estimated using a multiple trait animal model and derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedures. Estimated heritabilities for CWT, EMA, BF and MS were 0.30, 0.21, 0.42 and 0.42, respectively. Genetic correlation of CWT with EMA, BF and MS were estimated to 0.24, 0.36 and 0.07, respectively. Genetic correlation of EMA with BF and MS was -0.27 and 0.61, respectively.

Variance Components and Genetic Parameters for Milk Production and Lactation Pattern in an Ethiopian Multibreed Dairy Cattle Population

The objective of this study was to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for lactation milk yield (LY), lactation length (LL), average milk yield per day (YD), initial milk yield (IY), peak milk yield (PY), days to peak (DP) and parameters (ln(a) and c) of the modified incomplete gamma function (MIG) in an Ethiopian multibreed dairy cattle population. The dataset was composed of 5,507 lactation records collected from 1,639 cows in three locations (Bako, Debre Zeit and Holetta) in Ethiopia from 1977 to 2010. Parameters for MIG were obtained from regression analysis of monthly test-day milk data on days in milk. The cows were purebred (Bos indicus) Boran (B) and Horro (H) and their crosses with different fractions of Friesian (F), Jersey (J) and Simmental (S). There were 23 breed groups (B, H, and their crossbreds with F, J, and S) in the population. Fixed and mixed models were used to analyse the data. The fixed model considered herd-year-season, parity and breed group as fixed effects, and residual as random. The single and two-traits mixed animal repeatability models, considered the fixed effects of herd-year-season and parity subclasses, breed as a function of cow H, F, J, and S breed fractions and general heterosis as a function of heterozygosity, and the random additive animal, permanent environment, and residual effects. For the analysis of LY, LL was added as a fixed covariate to all models. Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using average information restricted maximum likelihood procedures. The results indicated that all traits were affected (p<0.001) by the considered fixed effects. High grade B×F cows (3/16B 13/16F) had the highest least squares means (LSM) for LY (2,490±178.9 kg), IY (10.5±0.8 kg), PY (12.7±0.9 kg), YD (7.6±0.55 kg) and LL (361.4±31.2 d), while B cows had the lowest LSM values for these traits. The LSM of LY, IY, YD, and PY tended to increase from the first to the fifth parity. Single-trait analyses yielded low heritability (0.03±0.03 and 0.08±0.02) and repeatability (0.14±0.01 to 0.24±0.02) estimates for LL, DP and parameter c. Medium heritability (0.21±0.03 to 0.33±0.04) and repeatability (0.27±0.02 to 0.53±0.01) estimates were obtained for LY, IY, PY, YD and ln(a). Genetic correlations between LY, IY, PY, YD, ln(a), and LL ranged from 0.59 to 0.99. Spearman’s rank correlations between sire estimated breeding values for LY, LL, IY, PY, YD, ln(a) and c were positive (0.67 to 0.99, p<0.001). These results suggested that selection for IY, PY, YD, or LY would genetically improve lactation milk yield in this Ethiopian dairy cattle population.

Competitive Dialogue in Portugal and Spain

The competitive dialogue procedure is a new public procurement award procedure first introduced by the Directive 2004118 for the tender of particularly complex contracts, when contracting authorities consider that the use of the open or restricted procedures do not allow for the contract to be tendered. It is not intended to be adopted freely as the open or restricted procedures, but contracting authorities may use it only when the need arises and specific grounds for its use are fulfilled. The procedure was introduced with the stated objective of increasing the flexibility of procurement, which had been already identified as a shortcoming of previous existing EU procurement framework. This thesis studies how the competitive dialogue has been implemented in Portugal and Spain. It covers both the legal transposition and aspects of its practice in these countries., through the use of empirical research methods. Through his research, the author has found that the procedure was implemented very differently in Portugal and Spain with consequences on its use. This study has tried to highlight similarities and differences in the transposition, illustrate how the competitive dialogue is being used in Spain and explain why it is being used only sparingly in Portugal.

Evidence of the impacts of public e-procurement: The Portuguese experience

This paper analyses public e-procurement implementation and emphasizes its main difficulties and impacts in relation to the type of public organizations. The primary impacts and changes in the Portuguese public sector are analyzed within the new legal framework, which adopts mandatory e-procurement for any open, restricted or negotiated procedure. In this sense, two surveys carried out in consecutive years were conducted to assess the implementation difficulties and impact of e-procurement in the Portuguese public sector.The major value of this research is that it presents and discusses, for the first time, evidences about difficulties and impacts on the mandatory adoption of public e-procurement, based on the case of Portugal. The results show that the entities’ administrative level influences the e-procurement implementation, which is influenced by the innovation adoption process.

EFEITO DE DIFERENTES MODELOS SOBRE AS ESTIMATIVAS DE (CO)VARIÂNCIAS E PARÂMETROS GENÉTICOS PARA PESOS ATÉ A DESMAMA EM GADO NELORE

We used actual and adjusted weights to 120 d and 210 d of age of 72,731 male and female Nellore calves born in 40 PMGRN - Nellore Brazil herds from 1985 to 2005 aiming to compare the effect of different definitions of contemporary groups on estimates of (co)variance and genetic parameters. Four models, each one with a different structure of contemporary group (CG), were compared using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and the Consistent Akaike Information Criterion (CAIC). (Co)variance estimates were obtained using a derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedure. Estimates of (co)variances and genetic parameters were similar for the four models considered. However, the BIC and CAIC indicated that the most appropriate model for this Nellore population was the one that considered CG to be random, and sex of calf to be fixed and separate from CG, in which CG was defined as the group of calves born in the same herd, year, season of birth (trimester), and undergone the same management.KEYWORDS: beef cattle; contemporary groups; information criteria.

Genetics and non-genetics parameters of body weight for post-weaning traits in Raini Cashmere goats

Genetic parameters were estimated for 6-month weight (W6), 9-month weight (W9), 12-month weight (W12), average daily gain from birth to 6 months old (ADG6), and Kleiber ratio at 6 months (KL6) traits using 6,442 records obtained from a Raini Cashmere goat flock. The parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure and applying four animal models excluding or including maternal additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Heritability estimates for W6, W9, W12, ADG6, and KL6, under the most appropriate model were 0.028, 0.26, 0.29, 0.02, and 0.25, respectively. The estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations among W6, W9, W12, and ADG6 were high and ranged from 0.73 to 0.99. The estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations among KL6 and others traits were negative and low. Thus, these estimates of genetic parameters may provide a basis for deriving selection indices for postweaning growth traits also low genetic correlation between growth traits with KL6, it is possible to increase efficiency in Raini kids by multitrait selection.

Externe Qualitätssicherung der ersten Welle der Studie zur Gesundheit Erwachsener in Deutschland (DEGS1)

The quality management concept for the first wave of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1) included in addition to conducting internal quality assurance (QS) also the supervision by an external independent institute. After a restricted tendering procedure, the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS was commissioned to conduct the external quality assurance. The external quality control included the review of the operation manuals, the training of the field staff, the execution of field work (including measurements), and the monitoring of sampling, response and data management. For the realization of the controls in these areas, test criteria were developed to reveal shortcomings early and to give recommendations for the internal quality assurance. This paper briefly describes the concept and the execution of the accompanying external quality assurance with regard to the above mentioned areas. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

Genetic parameters for lameness and claw and leg diseases in dairy cows

Lameness in dairy cows is a serious welfare and economic problem in dairy production. The majority of all lameness cases seem to stem from claw and leg diseases. Indirect selection on claw health potentially might be feasible with lameness as indicator trait. Therefore, the genetic parameters for the 2 traits were estimated by applying both linear and threshold models. In addition, the impact of environmental effects, parity, and stage of lactation was analyzed. In total, 8,299 locomotion scores (1–5) of 326 dairy cows and 708 claw and leg disease diagnoses or treatments of 335 dairy cows from the dairy research farm Karkendamm (Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University, Kiel, Germany) were analyzed. Lameness was defined by a locomotion score of ≥3. Days in milk were limited to the range of 10 to 350d. To quantify the effect of the claw disease digital dermatitis, a second data set without this disease was built; 52.8 and 36.4% (without digital dermatitis) of the cows were treated at least once; 47.2% of the cows were clinically lame at least at one time. Genetic parameters were estimated bivariately using the average information restricted maximum likelihood procedure as implemented in the DMU software package. The heritability estimates derived from the threshold model were about twice as large as the values based on the linear model. For lameness, the threshold heritability increased from 0.15 to 0.22 and decreased for the diseases from 0.24 to 0.22 after exclusion of digital dermatitis. The genetic correlations were high and even increased from 0.60 to 0.72 after the exclusion of digital dermatitis, which suggests that lameness (locomotion score) seems to be a good indicator for claw and leg diseases. Digital dermatitis seems to affect the mobility of the dairy cow less strongly than other claw and leg diseases.

Estimation of genetic parameters for reproductive traits in shall sheep

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for reproductive traits in Shall sheep. Data included 1,316 records on reproductive performances of 395 Shall ewes from 41 sires and 136 dams which were collected from 2001 to 2007 in Shall breeding station in Qazvin province at the Northwest of Iran. Studied traits were litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lamb born (LMWLB), litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB), and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). Test of significance to include fixed effects in the statistical model was performed using the general linear model procedure of SAS. The effects of lambing year and ewe age at lambing were significant (P<0.05). Genetic parameters were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood procedure, under repeatability animal models. Direct heritability estimates were 0.02, 0.01, 0.47, 0.40, 0.15, and 0.03 for LSB, LSW, LMWLB, LMWLW, TLWB, and TLWW, respectively, and corresponding repeatabilities were 0.02, 0.01, 0.73, 0.41, 0.27, and 0.03. Genetic correlation estimates between traits ranged from -0.99 for LSW-LMWLW to 0.99 for LSB-TLWB, LSW-TLWB, and LSW-TLWW. Phenotypic correlations ranged from -0.71 for LSB-LMWLW to 0.98 for LSB-TLWW and environmental correlations ranged from -0.89 for LSB-LMWLW to 0.99 for LSB-TLWW. Results showed that the highest heritability estimates were for LMWLB and LMWLW suggesting that direct selection based on these traits could be effective. Also, strong positive genetic correlations of LMWLB and LMWLW with other traits may improve meat production efficiency in Shall sheep.

Genetics of early conception and its relationship to growth traits in red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The genetics of early conception success and live-animal growth were studied in five herds of red deer in New Zealand. Conception date (CD) was used as the criterion of success in seasonally mated hinds, with 2493 mating records available. Liveweights analysed were weaning weight, yearling weight, 15-month weight and mature weight (hinds only). CD and liveweights were analysed using restricted maximum likelihood procedures with an animal model, including all available pedigree records. Under the management conditions applied, CD had a phenotypic standard deviation of 7.9 days, a repeatability across years of 0.29 ± 0.03 and a direct (univariate) heritability of 0.20 ± 0.06. Regression procedures using DNA markers to adjust the data for genetic differences resulting from an animal’s ancestral region of origin (mainly western vs eastern European) had little effect on the parameter estimates above. Direct heritability estimates for the four weight traits were 0.38 ± 0.03, 0.49 ± 0.02, 0.48 ± 0.04 and 0.46 ± 0.04, respectively, while the genetic correlations between CD and these traits (e.g. using 1763 paired records of CD with yearling weight) were –0.24 ± 0.11, –0.24 ± 0.09, –0.16 ± 0.10 and –0.04 ± 0.09, respectively. Selection for earlier CD would be successful and compatible with selection for higher juvenile weights.

Genetic parameters for concentrations of minerals in longissimus muscle and their associations with palatability traits in Angus cattle1

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for concentrations of minerals in LM and to evaluate their associations with beef palatability traits. Samples of LM from 2,285 Angus cattle were obtained and fabricated into steaks for analysis of mineral concentrations and for trained sensory panel assessments. Nine minerals, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc, were quantified. Restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to obtain estimates of variance and covariance components under a multiple-trait animal model. Estimates of heritability for mineral concentrations in LM varied from 0.01 to 0.54. Iron and sodium were highly and moderately heritable, respectively, whereas the other minerals were lowly heritable except for calcium, copper, and manganese, which exhibited no genetic variation. Strong positive genetic correlations existed between iron and zinc (0.49, P < 0.05), between magnesium and phosphorus (0.88, P < 0.05), between magnesium and sodium (0.68, P < 0.05), and between phosphorus and potassium (0.69, P < 0.05). Overall tenderness assessed by trained sensory panelists was positively associated with manganese, potassium, and sodium and negatively associated with phosphorus and zinc concentrations (P < 0.05). Juiciness assessed by trained sensory panelists was negatively associated with magnesium and positively associated with manganese and sodium concentrations (P < 0.05). Livery or metallic flavor was not associated with any of the minerals (P > 0.05). Beefy flavor was positively associated with calcium, iron, and zinc and negatively associated with sodium concentration, whereas a painty or fishy flavor was positively associated with sodium and negatively associated with calcium and potassium concentrations (P < 0.05). Beef is a major contributor of iron and zinc in the human diet, and these results demonstrate sufficient genetic variation for these traits to be improved through marker-assisted selection programs without compromising beef palatability.

Genetic relationship of body measurement traits at early age with carcass traits in Japanese black cattle

Estimates of genetic parameters were obtained for body measurement traits of 648 animals at 4 months of age, of 545 at 8 months and carcass traits of 14 972 animals with the use of an animal model by the restricted maximum likelihood procedure. The estimated heritabilities for carcass traits were high (0.41 to 0.54). At 4 months the estimated direct heritabilities for body measurement traits were moderate to high (0.28 to 0.64), except for chest width (0.19); at 8 months they were also moderate to high (0.23 to 0.49), except for chest depth and chest width (0.18 and 0.06, respectively). Maternal heritabilities for all body measurement traits were low at both ages. The results indicate that because of their moderate direct genetic correlations with body measurement traits, carcass weight, rib thickness and subcutaneous fat thickness can be improved; however, rib eye area and beef marbling standard show little such possibility considering their correlation with body measurement traits.

한우의 초음파 측정 형질과 도체 형질의 유전모수 추정

This study was conducted to estimate genetic parameters for ultrasound and carcass traits in Hanwoo. Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for carcass and ultrasound measurements collected from Hanwoo cows (n=312) born at Hanwoo experiment station. Traits evaluated were eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BF), marbling score (MS) from carcass, and ultrasound eye muscle area (UEMA), ultrasound backfat (UBF), and ultrasound marbling score (UMS). Parameters were estimated using multi-trait animal models byderivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedures. Estimated heritabilities for UBF, UEMA and UMS were 0.43, 0.23 and 0.32, while heritabilities for BF, EMA and MS were 0.33, 0.13 and 0.33 in fattened cows, respectively. Genetic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were estimated to -0.19, -0.61, and -0.36 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in fattened cows, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were 0.03, 0.13 and 0.26 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in fattened cows, respectively. As for the steer, genetic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were 0.36, -0.80 and 0.27 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in steers, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between ultrasound and carcass measurements were 0.13, 0.07 and 0.41 for UBF: UEMA, UBF: UMS, and UEMA: UMS in steers, respectively. In conclusion, this finding would be very useful to implement into Hanwoo breeding program.

Genetic relationship of conformation traits with average somatic cell score at 150 and 305 days in milk in Holstein cows of Iran

Genetic, environmental, and phenotypic correlations among average somatic cell score (SCS) at different stages of lactation and conformation traits were estimated. Data consisted of the lactational average of SCS at 150 (SCS150) and 305 (SCS305) d in milk and 19 conformation traits recorded on 57,154 primiparous Holstein cows, that calved from 1996 to 2009 in 119 herds in Iran. Variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood procedure based on multiple-trait animal models. Udder depth (−0.32), fore udder attachment (−0.22), and udder width (0.34) showed moderate genetic correlation with SCS150. Heart girth (0.17), body depth (0.14), chest width (0.26), and angularity (0.19), showed modest genetic correlation with SCS150. The estimated heritabilities for SCS150 and SCS305 were 0.06 and 0.08, respectively. The heritability of the conformation traits ranged from 0.09 to 0.29. Genetic and environmental correlations between SCS150 and SCS305 were very high (means ± SE; 0.99±0.01 and 0.89±0.01, respectively), which indicates that recording SCS over a shorter period of lactation is an alternative approach for involving many herds in SCS data collection. The low heritability of SCS indicated that indirect selection for some of udder and body traits might be helpful to reduce the SCS. Additionally, selection for udder traits may help reduce SCS in developing countries where SCS data are sparsely recorded.

Vegetation Database of Great Britain: Countryside Survey

This paper describes the vegetation database created as part of the Countryside Survey (CS) of Great Britain (GIVD ID EU-GB-003) which was established to monitor ecological and land use change in 1978 (http://www.countrysidesurvey.org.uk). The sample design is based on a series of stratified, randomly selected 1 km squares, which numbered 256 in the 1978 survey, 500 in the 1990 survey, 569 in the 1998 survey and 591 in the 2007 survey. Stratification of sample squares was based on predefined strata (called land classes) which have been derived from a classification of all 1 km squares in Britain based on their topographic, climatic and geological attributes obtained from published maps. A series of vegetation plots were located within each 1 km square using a restricted randomisation procedure designed to reduce aggregation. Linear features (road verges, watercourse banks, hedges, arable margins and field boundaries) and areal features (fields, unenclosed land and small semi-natural biotope patches) were sampled. Linear plots were 1 x 10 m laid out along a feature whilst unenclosed land and small biotopes were sampled using 2 m x 2 m plots. Larger randomly-placed plots were nested 14 m² plots with an inner nest of 2 m x 2 m. Within each 1 km Countryside Survey sample square the land cover and all landscape features were mapped and each parcel of land (and vegetation plot) has been assigned to a Broad Habitat/EUNIS habitat type. This database of vegetation plots is a very useful resource. The data is freely available from the website, however, there are restrictions on the release of the spatial location of the plots. There is now a considerable time-series of plots within the database going back to 1978 representing different habitat types and landscape features that can be analysed to determine changes in vegetation metrics (e.g. Ellenberg scores) and individual species. Vegetation changes can be linked to environmental drivers and the spatial scale (across GB) is sufficiently large to analyse gradients in most driving variables.

Genetic parameters for carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, and anserine concentration in longissimus muscle and their association with palatability traits in Angus cattle1

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, and anserine concentration in LM and to evaluate their associations with Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and beef palatability traits. Longissimus muscle samples from 2,285 Angus cattle were obtained and fabricated into steaks for analysis of carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, anserine, and other nutrients, and for trained sensory panel and WBSF assessments. Restricted maximum likelihood procedures were used to obtain estimates of variance and covariance components under a multiple-trait animal model. Estimates of heritability for carnitine, creatine, creatinine, carnosine, and anserine concentrations in LM from Angus cattle were 0.015, 0.434, 0.070, 0.383, and 0.531, respectively. Creatine, carnosine, and anserine were found to be moderately heritable, whereas almost no genetic variation was observed in carnitine and creatinine. Moderate positive genetic (0.25, P < 0.05) and phenotypic correlations (0.25, P < 0.05) were identified between carnosine and anserine. Medium negative genetic correlations were identified between creatine and both carnosine (-0.53, P < 0.05) and anserine (-0.46, P < 0.05). Beef and livery/metallic flavor were not associated with any of the 5 compounds analyzed (P > 0.10), and carnitine concentrations were not associated (P > 0.10) with any of the meat palatability traits analyzed. Carnosine was negatively associated with overall tenderness as assessed by trained sensory panelists. Similar negative associations with overall tenderness were identified for creatinine and anserine. Painty/fishy was the only flavor significantly and negatively associated with creatinine and carnosine. These results provide information regarding the concentration of these compounds, the amount of genetic variation, and evidence for negligible associations with beef palatability traits in LM of beef cattle.