Production Traits Research Articles

Breeding objectives and trait preferences of Nguni goat farmers in Limpopo province, South Africa

Understanding the farmers production objectives, breeding practices and trait preferences is important in designing and implementing Community-based breeding program (CBBP) for genetic improvement of livestock. Thus, this study assessed production objectives, breeding practices and trait preferences of Nguni goat farmers in four agroecological zones of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Using a participatory approach, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 33 Nguni goat farmers. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square test, and Kruskal–Wallis were used to identify and compare categorical variables across agroecological zones. An index was used to assess the importance of each criterion. The majority of the farmers were males with secondary education, and socio-economic characteristics were non-significant (P > 0.05) across agroecological zones. Farmers bred their goats all year-round, with uncontrolled mating practices and used bucks born within the flock for breeding. The breeding season, purpose of keeping bucks and source of breeding bucks were statistically different (P < 0.05) across the agroecological zones. Most farmers culled goats based on age and practiced extensive system, with no significant difference in production systems across zones. Income generation was primary objective for keeping goats, and it varied significantly (P < 0.05) across the zones. Body size was the predominant selection criterion for both buck and does, with significant difference (P < 0.05) observed across the zones. These results are crucial for the designing of CBBP for Nguni goat farmers in Limpopo province, South Africa.

Genome-wide association studies revealed genomic regions associated with production and reproduction traits in indicine cattle

Genome-wide association studies revealed genomic regions associated with production and reproduction traits in indicine cattle

Root and Leaf Traits of Alfalfa Exhibit Distinct Responses to Soil Microbial Communities and Environmental Stresses

ABSTRACTOngoing climate change is negatively impacting crop productivity globally. Past research has highlighted that a diverse soil microbial community and variation in plant traits for resource acquisition can mitigate the negative impacts of climate change factors on crop productivity. This study investigates the effects of two major environmental stressors—drought and salinity stress, on plant productivity, biomass allocation, and root and leaf trait responses under distinct soil microbial diversities. Our results showed that salinity stress had stronger negative impacts on plant productivity than drought stress. Shoot biomass decreased by 30% and 32.5% under drought and salinity stress, respectively, whereas the root biomass decreased by 32% only under salinity stress. Soil microbial diversity did not affect plant productivity. Next, root traits were mainly impacted by drought and salinity stress, whereas leaf traits were impacted by both environmental stresses and soil microbial diversity. Specific root length and specific root area decreased under drought, and root tissue density was minimal under salinity stress. Root traits were not affected by soil microbial communities. In contrast, the leaf nitrogen content increased, whereas pheophytin content (a breakdown product of chlorophyll) decreased when plants were grown in diverse microbial communities under environmental stresses, especially drought. These results highlight the importance of soil microbial diversity in impacting plant traits in response to environmental stresses. We showed that the soil microbial diversity influences both aboveground and belowground plant traits, indicating the need for better management practices to conserve and promote soil microbial diversity.

Sequence-based GWAS in 180,000 German Holstein cattle reveals new candidate variants for milk production traits

BackgroundMilk production traits are complex and influenced by many genetic and environmental factors. Although extensive research has been performed for these traits, with many associations unveiled thus far, due to their crucial economic importance, complex genetic architecture, and the fact that causal variants in cattle are still scarce, there is a need for a better understanding of their genetic background. In this study, we aimed to identify new candidate loci associated with milk production traits in German Holstein cattle, the most important dairy breed in Germany and worldwide. For that purpose, 180,217 cattle were imputed to the sequence level and large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) followed by fine-mapping and evolutionary and functional annotation were carried out to identify and prioritize new association signals.ResultsUsing the imputed sequence data of a large cattle dataset, we identified 50,876 significant variants, confirming many known and identifying previously unreported candidate variants for milk (MY), fat (FY), and protein yield (PY). Genome-wide significant signals were fine-mapped with the Bayesian approach that determines the credible variant sets and generates the probability of causality for each signal. The variants with the highest probabilities of being causal were further classified using external information about the function and evolution, making the prioritization for subsequent validation experiments easier. The top potential causal variants determined with fine-mapping explained a large percentage of genetic variance compared to random ones; 178 variants explained 11.5%, 104 explained 7.7%, and 68 variants explained 3.9% of the variance for MY, FY, and PY, respectively, demonstrating the potential for causality.ConclusionsOur findings proved the power of large samples and sequence-based GWAS in detecting new association signals. In order to fully exploit the power of GWAS, one should aim at very large samples combined with whole-genome sequence data. These can also come with both computational and time burdens, as presented in our study. Although milk production traits in cattle are comprehensively investigated, the genetic background of these traits is still not fully understood, with the potential for many new associations to be revealed, as shown. With constantly growing sample sizes, we expect more insights into the genetic architecture of milk production traits in the future.

Genome-wide study for signatures of selection identifies genomic regions and candidate genes associated with milk traits in sheep.

Milk production traits in sheep are influenced by complex genetic factors, and understanding these traits requires the identification of candidate genes under selection. This study employed two methods, FST and XP-EHH, to identify selection signatures and candidate genes associated with milk production traits in sheep. For this purpose, 9 different breeds from the SheepHapMapdataset generated by the International Sheep Genomics Consortium (ISGC) based on analysis of theOvineSNP50 BeadChip were used. The dairy breeds included Brown East Friesian (n = 39), Milk Lacaune (n = 103), Chios (n = 23), Churra (n = 120), and Comisana (n = 24), while the non-dairy breeds included Afshari (n = 37), Moghani (n = 34), Galway (n = 49), and Australian Suffolk (n = 109). Genomic regions in the top 0.1 percentile of FST values revealed 71 genes, while regions with the highest positive XP-EHH values identified 69 genes. Five overlapping genes-DHRS3, TNFRSF1B, AADACL4, ARHGEF11, and LRRC71-were detected by both methods, highlighting their relevance to milk production. Several candidate genes in regions identified from FST, such as PER2, SH3PXD2A, TMEM117, DDX6, PDCD11, CALHM2, and CALHM3, have been previously associated with milk production traits. Notably, CRABP2, PEAR1, PGM1, ALG6, COX15, and OAT were identified in regions with high XP-EHH values in the dairy group. Gene ontology analysis indicated that the identified genes are enriched in pathways related to chemokine receptor activity, gap junction channel activity, and gap junction-mediated intercellular transport, as well as cellular components like the connexin complex. Further studies on these genes may improve understanding of the genetic architecture of milk production traits in sheep.

Gene Editing for Enhanced Swine Production: Current Advances and Prospects

Traditional pig breeding has improved production traits but faces limitations in genetic diversity, disease resistance, and environmental adaptation. Gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, and prime editing, enable precise genetic modifications, overcoming these limitations and expanding applications to biomedical research. Here, we reviewed the advancements in gene editing technologies in pigs and explored pathways toward optimized swine genetics for a resilient and adaptive livestock industry. This review synthesizes recent research on gene editing tools applied to pigs, focusing on CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives. It examines their impact on critical swine production traits and their role as human disease models. Significant advancements have been made in targeting genes for disease resistance, such as those conferring immunity to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses. Additionally, gene-edited pigs are increasingly used as models for human diseases, demonstrating the technology’s broader applications. However, challenges such as off-target effects, ethical concerns, and varying regulatory frameworks remain. Gene editing holds substantial potential for sustainable and productive livestock production by enhancing key traits and supporting biomedical applications. Addressing technical and ethical challenges through integrated approaches will be essential to realize its full potential, ensuring a resilient, ethical, and productive livestock sector for future generations

Uncovering the genetic basis of milk production traits in Mexican Holstein cattle based on individual markers and genomic windows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the proportion of genetic variance explained by single nucleotide polymorphism markers, individually or clustered in 1, 2, and 5 Mb windows, for milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat content, protein content, and somatic cell score in Mexican Holstein cattle. The analysis included data from 640,746 lactation records of 358,857 cows born between 1979 and 2019, distributed in 353 herds in 18 states of Mexico. The analysis included genotypic data on 7,713 cows and 577 sires, with information on 88,911 markers previously imputed and filtered by quality control. Genomic scans via the single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction method were performed using BLUPF90 software. A total of 162 markers were significantly associated (p<0.01) with the phenotypic traits evaluated, and the SNP markers were distributed across chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 29. When the size of the genomic windows was increased from 1 to 5 Mb, a greater proportion of genetic variance was explained by the SNPs within the window, and a greater number of windows explained more than 1% of the genetic variance. The most significant regions were associated with two or more phenotypic traits, such as one region on chromosome 14 that harbors the DGAT1, EXOSC4, PPP1R16A, and FOXH1 genes, which affect all the traits under study. In general, the utilization of genomic windows resulted in a greater proportion of genetic variance explained by milk production traits.

Glutathione peroxidase gene regulates substrate development and prevents strain aging in Volvariella volvacea.

Degradation of Volvariella volvacea is associated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is one of the key antioxidant enzyme. The purpose of this research is to uncover the importance of the gpx gene in the degradation and revitalization of V. volvacea. In this study, a gpx-silenced strain of the primordial strain T0 and an overexpression strain of the degraded strain T19 of V. volvacea were constructed, and their antioxidant properties, matrix degradation ability, and production traits were determined. The results showed that the expression level of gpx altered the homeostasis of the V. volvacea redox system and affected the substrate degradation ability of V. volvacea, which altered the physiological traits of the V. volvacea mycelium. Most importantly, the primordial strain T0 was unable to produce fruiting bodies due to the silence of the gpx gene. On the other hand, the gpx gene overexpression promoted the regrowth of fruiting bodies in degenerated strains of V. volvacea T19. This study provides a new biotechnological strategy to control the degeneration of V. volvacea and other edible fungi.

Comparing genomic studies in animal breeding and human genetics: focus on disease-related traits in livestock - A review.

Genomic studies of diseases can be divided into two types: i) analyses that reveal causal genes by focusing on linkage disequilibrium between observed and causal variants and ii) those that simultaneously assess numerous genetic markers to estimate the polygenic effects of a particular genomic region or entire genome. The field of human genetics has emphasized the discovery of causal genes, but these represent only a fraction of the total genetic variance. Therefore, alternative approaches, such as the polygenic risk score, which estimates the genetic risk for a given trait or disease based on all genetic markers (rather than on known causal variants only), have begun to garner attention. In many respects, these human genetic methods are similar to those originally developed for the estimation of breeding values (i.e., total additive genetic effects) in livestock. However, despite these similarities in methods, the fields of human and animal genetics still differ markedly in terms of research objectives, target populations, and other characteristics. For example, livestock populations have continually been selected and inbred throughout their history; consequently, their effective population size has shrunk and preferred genes (such as those influencing disease resistance and production traits) have accumulated in the modern breeding populations. By examining the characteristics of these two fields, particularly from the perspectives of disease and disease resistance, this review aims to improve understanding of the intrinsic differences between genomic studies using human compared with livestock populations.

A case-control genome-wide association study of estimated breeding values for resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in two local dairy sheep breeds.

In sheep, gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) can cause disease, reduced feed intake, and nutritional deficiencies. To counteract GINs, anthelmintics are widely used although it is well known they may enter the environment impacting ecosystems. In addition, anthelmintics resistance has rapidly developed and consequently, alternative approaches are crucial for profitable and sustainable sheep production. The occurrence of resistant individuals is mainly due to their intrinsic genetic diversity; therefore, the implementation of breeding plans for resistant animals may provide a promising strategy to reduce the use of anthelmintics. This study is aimed at identifying genomic regions involved in sheep resistance to GINs. To do this, faecal samples were collected from 642 Comisana and 323 Massese sheep over 3years to assess Faecal Egg Counts, and Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for GIN resistance were estimated by a repeatability animal model. Then, EBVs in the 99.95th and 0.05th percentiles were used to identify the most and least "genetically resistant" individuals to GINs, using genotyped individuals with the Illumina OvineSNP50 beadchip. A genome-wide case-control analysis was performed retaining the most significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with a threshold of 0.005% for the false discovery rate. Genes and Quantitative Trait Loci overlapping significant SNPs were annotated and enriched respectively while genes have been also enriched for functional pathways. As a result, 13 genes on 12 chromosomes and 10 genes on 11 different chromosomes were identified in the Comisana and Massese breed, respectively. Among these, genes involved in the physiology or pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, in adaptive processes and in production traits, were detected. The enrichment analysis highlighted 36 significant pathways in the Comisana breed and 21 in the Massese breed. Many of these pathways were involved in the regulation of the immune response, drug metabolism and detoxification, and vitamin metabolism. Interestingly, pathways involved in vitamin and drug metabolism were also identified in previous research and have shown to play an active role in GIN resistance. In this study, we took advantage of the use of EBVs as a metric for GIN resistance in a case-control genome-wide framework and successfully identified several genomic regions that might be involved in the trait. The presence of overlapping functional pathways related to different genes in the two breeds seems to reinforce the idea of the polygenicity of this trait, and further studies are needed in order to make selection schemes an effective tool to contrast GINs.

Pulsating Drought and Insect Herbivory Cause Differential Effects on Soybean (Glycine max) Genotypes That Vary in Canopy Wilting Speed.

As a result of climate change, global temperatures are increasing, and water scarcity is on the rise. Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] is one of the most important crops in the world due to its importance as food and feed. One of the major limiting factors for soybean production is drought, which can cause up to 80% reduction in yield. Therefore, growers and plant breeders are turning to soybean accessions that demonstrate better water use efficiency (WUE). However, in addition to drought, insect herbivory by soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includens, SBL) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) can also reduce soybean yield by feeding on foliar and floral organs. Using soybean accessions that differ in their wilting speed, we examined the relationship between physiological traits associated with WUE, and how they affect both herbivore and host plant growth and development. Results showed that both fast- and slow-wilting genotypes displayed strong overcompensation in terms of growth and development, but slow-wilting genotypes produced higher-quality pods and seeds. Regardless of treatment effects, FAW fed at a significantly higher rate than SBL despite being less specialized to feed on soybeans. While fast-wilting plants produced more pods than slow-wilting plants regardless of treatment, slow-wilting plants produced heavier pods with larger and heavier seeds. Collectively, we show that despite fast-wilting plants overcompensating in pod production and growth traits, slow-wilting plants may still be better fit through seed functions.

Functional analysis of key members affecting egg production in the transglutaminase gene family in chickens.

The transglutaminase (TGMs) family plays a crucial role in regulating mammalian reproduction, yet its impact on poultry reproductive traits has not been extensively studied. In this study, we identified eight members of the TGMs family in chickens and examined the contributions of genetic variations of coagulation factor XIII A chain (F13A1), transglutaminase 4 (TGM4), and LOC101749664 to selective breeding in commercial layers through genetic variation response pattern analysis. Transcriptome data from various tissues of high- and low-egg-yielding Gushi chickens revealed significant positive correlations between the mRNA expression levels of TGM4 and F13A1 genes and egg production (P < 0.05). Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis showed that 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within genomic sequences of TGM4 and F13A1 genes exhibited significant associations with egg production traits across different laying periods. Additionally, spatiotemporal expression patterns of TGM4 in ovarian follicles between high- and low-laying chicken breeds determined by RT-qPCR highlighted the pivotal role of TGM4 in follicle development. Functionally, the gain-of-function assay demonstrated that TGM4 promoted granulosa cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and enhanced progesterone synthesis. In conclusion, this is the first study to elucidate the role of the TGMs gene family in regulating egg production in chickens, offering new insights for the selective breeding of layers with improved egg-laying traits.

Genomic scans for selection and runs of homozygosity in southern Italian turkey populations.

Basilicata and Apulian (BAS-APU) turkeys, a native population in the Basilicata and Puglia regions of southern Italy, are known for their high meat quality and tolerance to local conditions. Understanding the genomic patterns of BAS-APU turkeys is critical for effective breeding and preservation strategies. In this study, we characterized runs of homozygosity (ROH), and selection signatures using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) and ROH approaches. A total of 73 BAS-APU turkeys from five populations were sequenced (12X). The inbreeding coefficients based on ROH ranged from 0.177 to 0.405. A total of 120,956 ROH were detected in BAS-APU populations. We identified 27 genomic regions that harbor 61 candidate genes in ROH islands in which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occur in more than 90 % of individuals. In addition, we detected 608 genomic regions under positive selection using the iHS method being 104, 98, 130, 102, and 174 for BAS, APU_C, APU_M, APU_PN, and APU_PS, respectively. For both methods, most of the genes within these regions are related to production performance, reproduction, immune responses, and adaptation. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of the genetic makeup of native turkey populations in southern Italy. The identified genes under selection can aid future breeding and conservations programs for southern Italian native turkeys. The results of inbreeding levels, especially in the absence of complete pedigrees or when only a few samples are available, which is often the case for local breeds, will help to avoid genetic relatedness in the mating plan in breeding and conservation plans for BAS-APU populations. Also, the detected genes in the selective sweep regions could be used as a marker-assisted selection to improve productive traits and adaptation of BAS-APU local populations.

Improvement of the accuracy of breeding value prediction for egg production traits in Muscovy duck using low-coverage whole-genome sequence data

Improvement of the accuracy of breeding value prediction for egg production traits in Muscovy duck using low-coverage whole-genome sequence data

Revealing study and breeding implications for production traits and tail characteristics in Simmental cattle by GWAS

Revealing study and breeding implications for production traits and tail characteristics in Simmental cattle by GWAS

Exploring the potential of crossbreeding to enhance black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) production

Abstract The increasing world population leads to a growing demand for animal protein, calling for sustainable solutions. Insects, such as the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF), will therefore play a crucial role due to their fast growth, high protein content, good bioconversion efficiency and their ability to thrive on diverse feed substrates. Selective breeding has proven valuable in plants and livestock and holds great potential for farmed insects. Moreover, crossbreeding is a successful strategy to improve the genetic value of progeny, for example by exploiting heterosis. Nevertheless, crossbreeding experiments in BSF remain scarce. In this exploratory study, we present the outcome of a crossbreeding experiment in BSF. Four strains (F0) were used to set up reciprocal crosses (F1). Subsequently, four second generation populations (F2) were created. All populations were reared at pilot scale on chicken feed in triplicate. Each generation (F0, F1, and F2) was evaluated for growth, feed conversion, bioconversion efficiency, mating behaviour and egg production. The mean final larval mass of the F2 generations did not significantly differ from the mean of the F0s, although the development speed of the larvae was higher, resulting in a higher percentage of prepupae at the end of the rearing phase. Interestingly, some F1 crosses showed reciprocal differences (i.e. reversing maternal and paternal lines) in maximal larval weight of 32%. Furthermore, egg production was 19% higher in the F2 generations compared to the average F0s. Taking both production and reproduction traits into account, we calculated an increase of 16.5% in total larval mass production and an increase of 19.1% dried larval mass production for the F2s compared to the F0s. These findings explore the potential for crossbreeding in future BSF rearing programmes and highlight the need for further investigation into reciprocal differences between parental lines.

Integration of seed priming with nano-sized chitosan-proline and biochar application improves salt tolerance in differentially responding genotypes of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Context Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses challenging alfalfa (Medicago sativa) production. Aims In this study, we evaluated the potential of nano-sized chitosan-proline (NsCP) seed priming and biochar application to enhance salt tolerance in alfalfa. Methods Seeds of two alfalfa genotypes (OMA-84, salt-sensitive; and OMA-285, salt-tolerant) were soaked for 18 h in aerated distilled water (hydropriming) or a solution of NsCP (100 mM) for seed priming. Seeds were then planted in plastic pots containing acid-washed pure sand supplemented with or without biochar (25 g kg−1 sand) and with or without salt stress (120 mM). Key results Both genotypes showed significant reduction in root and shoot growth, biomass production, and carbon assimilation under salinity stress, with more pronounced effects on OMA-84. However, applying both NsCP seed priming and biochar significantly improved the biomass production and plant photosynthetic assessment traits. Notably, this combined approach proved more effective in enhancing salt tolerance than individual treatments. Biochar amendment increased the Na+ and Cl− concentration but it also contributed to salt tolerance by elevating K+ level, promoting proline accumulation, and antioxidant activities. Conclusions NsCP seed priming enhanced the salinity stress tolerance in alfalfa genotypes by facilitating osmotic adjustment (proline accumulation), maintaining ionic homeostasis (higher K+ and lower Na+ concentration), and increasing the levels of α-tocopherol, flavonoids, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Implications Integrated application of NsCP and biochar significantly enhanced salt tolerance in alfalfa, demonstrating practical strategies for sustainable agriculture in saline environments by promoting ionic homeostasis, osmotic adjustment, and antioxidant defence mechanisms.

Genetic diversity and selection signatures in sheep breeds.

Natural and artificial selection in domesticated animals can cause specific changes in genomic regions known as selection signatures. Our study used the integrated haplotype score (iHS) and Tajima's D tests within non-overlapping windows of 100kb to identify selection signatures, in addition to genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium estimates in 9498 sheep from breeds in Ireland (Belclare, Charollais, Suffolk, Texel, and Vendeen). The mean observed and expected heterozygosity for all the sheep breeds were 0.353 and 0.355, respectively. Suffolk had the least genetic variation and, along with Texel, had slower linkage disequilibrium decay. iHS and Tajima's D detected selection signatures for all breeds, with some regions overlapping, thus forming longer segments of selection signatures. Common selection signatures were identified across iHS and Tajima's D methods for all breeds, with Belclare and Texel having several common regions under positive selection. Several genes were detected within the selection signature regions, including ITGA4, TLR3, and TGFB2 related to the immune system against endoparasites; DLG1, ROBO2, MXI1, MTMR2, CEP57, and FAM78B related to reproductive traits; WDR70 related to milk traits; SCHM1 and MYH15 related to meat traits; and TAS2R4, TAS2R39, and TAS2R40 related to adaptive traits. In conclusion, our results demonstrated moderate genetic diversity in the sheep breeds and detected and characterized selection signatures harboring genes associated with reproductive traits, milk production, meat production, and adaptive traits such as endoparasite resistance.

Effect of irrigation systems on the growth parameters of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) cultivars in N’Djamena city, Chad

The study was conducted during the winters of 2021 and 2022 at the research farm of the Higher Teachers Training School of N’Djamena, Chad. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the growth and productivity traits of four cultivars of cowpea plant (white, black, red, and versicolor) in response to two different irrigation periods (3 and 6 days). The experiment is a factorial with four cowpea cultivars (White, Black , Red and versicolor) in the main plot in a Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD) and irrigation intervals (3 and 6 days) as the subplot with three replications. Our data demonstrated that the black variety was much superior in leaf surface area (15942.37 cm2), wet weight (343.75 g), dry weight (96 g), number of pods (71.50), weight of pods (137.50 g), number of seeds (475), and total productivity was 2.47 tons/ha. On the other hand, the versicolor variety was superior in the plant height (197 cm), number of leaves (138.75), pod length (15.50 cm), number of seeds in the pod (8.25), while the white variety had the highest average weight for 100 seeds (26.30 g). The same results also, indicated that the irrigation rate for three days was better than that for six days in terms of plant height (162.75 cm), number of leaves (108.37), leaf surface area (12553.72 cm2), wet weight (309.37 g), dry weight (73.25 g), pod length (14.50 cm), weight of seeds per pod (72 g), number of seeds per plant (241.50) and the productivity was 1.29 tons/ha. Finally, the study suggests planting the black and versicolor varieties in N'Djamena city during winter season in order to get the maximum yield by surface irrigation every three days.

Genetic analysis of growth traits in Salem Black goats under farm conditions.

In this study, data on pedigree, production traits for 19years (2002-2022) of Salem Black goat from the Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Tamil Nadu, India was used. Various growth traits viz., birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6W), 9-month weight (9W), 12-month weight (YW), pre- and post-weaning average daily gain (ADG) (3-6, 6-9, 9-12 and 3-12months) were analyzed. Univariate analysis was carried out after correcting for significant non-genetic factors. (Co)variance components for different production and functional traits were estimated by Restriction Maximum Likelihood method (REML) using WOMBAT. Heritability estimates for most of the growth traits were medium providing better scope for selection. Direct heritability estimates for BW, WW, 6W, 9W and YW, pre- and post-weaning ADG (3-12) were 0.177 ± 0.066, 0.094 ± 0.055, 0.111 ± 0.068, 0.123 ± 0.082, 0.181 ± 0.122, 0.118 ± 0.060 and 0.188 ± 0.126 respectively. Through bivariate analysis genetic and phenotypic correlations between growth traits were obtained. Positive, medium to high genetic correlation was observed in post-weaning body weight traits which would support multistage selection. Similar positive and medium to high genetic correlation between pre- and post-weaning ADG (3-6 and 3-12months) with post- weaning body weight traits would facilitate indirect selection. Breeding values (EBV) for BW, WW, 6W, 9W, YW, pre- and post-weaning ADG (3-12months) were estimated. High genetic variability was observed in weaning and post- weaning body weight traits. The findings of this study could further aid in the improvement of the breeding programme.