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Genetics of food intake, live weight, condition score and energy balance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

R. F. Veerkamp  and
E. P. C. Koenen
R. F. Veerkamp
Affiliation:
DLO-Institute for Animal Science and Health, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The Netherlands
E. P. C. Koenen
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen Agricultural University, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate genetic variation for traits that are part of the food utilization complex and to investigate the scope for future genetic improvement of traits possibly linked to metabolic stress: live weight (change), condition score (change) and energy balance. Many aspects of the food utilization complex appear to be heritable and are affected by genetic selection for yield. In general, genetic selection for yield increases intake and body tissue mobilization and energy balance is expected to decrease. However, unfavourable effects of genetic selection can be compensated for by measuring additional traits to be included in breeding programmes. Food intake, live weight (change) and condition score (change) are all potential options. Which traits should be measured, at what lactation stages and in which (nutritional) environment will merely depend on the coheritability with health and fertility, the genetic correlation with milk yield and the cost of measuring the trait effectively in a breeding programme.

Type
Research Article
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 24: Metabolic stress in dairy cows , 1999 , pp. 63 - 73
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1999

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