Estimation of (Co)Variance components and genetic parameters of fibre traits in Rambouillet sheep using multi-trait analysis

The present study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of different fibre traits, viz., greasy fleece weight, staple length, and fibre diameter in Rambouillet sheep population using a multi-trait animal model. Data, spanning over 10 years (1998–2007) and pertaining to fibre traits at first clip,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tropical animal health and production 2021-03, Vol.53 (1), p.190-190, Article 190
Main Authors: Ahmad, Sheikh Firdous, Khan, Nusrat Nabi, Chakraborty, Dibyendu, Rather, Mubashir Ali, Shanaz, Syed, Alam, Safeer, Ganai, Nazir Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal models
Animal populations
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Birth
Breeding
Correlation analysis
Genetic analysis
Genetic effects
Heritability
Life Sciences
Mathematical models
Parameter estimation
Regular Articles
Sheep
Variance
Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science
Weight
Zoology
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Summary:The present study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of different fibre traits, viz., greasy fleece weight, staple length, and fibre diameter in Rambouillet sheep population using a multi-trait animal model. Data, spanning over 10 years (1998–2007) and pertaining to fibre traits at first clip, were collected for a total of 4186 Rambouillet sheep maintained at an organized farm. (Co)Variance structure and genetic parameters were estimated using a multi-trait animal model. The genetic analysis of data was performed based on restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure using WOMBAT software. The model incorporated sex of lamb (i = 1, 2), year of birth (j = 1–10), season of birth (k = 1–2), and litter size (l = 1–2) as fixed effects while direct additive genetic and maternal genetic effects were included as random effects. The direct additive genetic heritability estimates were 0.120±0.034, 0.136±0.037, and 0.356±0.070 for greasy fleece weight, staple length, and fibre diameter, respectively. The maternal genetic heritability of all fibre traits under study was very low. Additive genetic correlation was positive and low between greasy fleece weight and staple length; and between staple length and fibre diameter. In conclusion, fibre diameter was moderately heritable which implies that selection may lead to moderate improvement in this trait. The results from the present study will help in formulating optimal breeding plans for improvement of fibre traits in Rambouillet sheep.
ISSN:0049-4747
1573-7438
DOI:10.1007/s11250-021-02637-y