earticle

영어

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 18 linear conformation traits and overall conformation score in Holstein cattle. A total of 376,606 records for type traits were collected from 2001 to 2011 from Korea Animal Improvement Association. The model of estimation of variance components and correlations among lactations using VCE included both fixed effects (herd-year-season and stage of lactation parity-wise) and random effect (animal additive genetic). The estimated heritabilities (h2) for capacity class, such as stature, chest width, body depth, angularity, and body condition score were 0.32, 0.16, 0.27, 0.12, and 0.19, respectively. Rump angle and width from rump class also showed h2 of 0.31 and 0.17, respectively. The heritabilities in udder class were mostly low to medium; in which traits were fore udder attachment (0.13), rear udder height (0.17), udder support (0.11), udder depth (0.33), front teat placement (0.17), front teat length (0.21), and rear teat placement (0.21). For feet and legs composite class, the estimated heritabilities for rear leg set, foot angle, rear leg rear view, and locomotion were 0.12, 0.07, 0.08, and 0.03, respectively. The h2 estimated for overall conformation score was 0.16 in the study. The genetic and environmental variance components estimated from this study would be helpful to change from single lactation animal models to multiple lactation animal models in the national genetic evaluation system for the improvement of linear type traits. Moreover, The breeding values obtained using these variance components would be able to be used in the calculation of Korean type production index (KTPI), udder composite (UDC) and, feet and legs composite (FLC).