Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gvvz8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T02:49:38.184Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effect of inbreeding and cross-breeding on dairy traits in cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. S. E. Galal
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Ain ShamsEgypt.
T. M. Aboustate
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Ain ShamsEgypt.
Y. A. Afifi
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Ain ShamsEgypt.

Summary

A total of 886 cows of two herds belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt, were used in this study to investigate the effects of inbreeding and cross-breeding on dairy traits. The first herd consisted of the native breed Domiatty (D), Shorthorn (S) and different grades between them while the second of Jersey (J) and its different crosses with D. There were 1027 lactations from the first herd and 460 from the second. Inbreeding coefficient (F) averaged 0·06 in the first herd and 0·08 in the second, both ranging from 0·00 to 0·30. The range was partitioned into three classes: the first with 0·0 ≤ F ≤ 0·1, the second 0·1 ≤ F ≤ 0·2 and the third F ≥ 0·2. Traits studied were first and second lactation 305-day milk yields, age at first calving, first calving interval and first dry period.

Inbreeding had no statistically significant effect on any of the traits except dry period in the first herd. Inbreeding was not associated with decrease in yield when F ≤ 0·2 in the first herd, while there was consistent decrease with inbreeding in the second herd. No clear trend could be observed on the effect of inbreeding on any of the other traits in the first herd whereas in the second the rise in inbreeding was always associated with greater age at first calving, with wider calving interval and with longer dry period.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1977

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Brum, L. W., Ludwick, T. M., Richardson, D. O., Rader, E. R., Hines, C. W., Fowler, A. K. & Plowman, D. (1963). Some Effects of low levels of inbreeding on production in Holstein cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 46, p. 619.Google Scholar
El-Itriby, A. A. & Asker, A. A. (1958). Some production characteristics of native cattle, Friesian, Shorthorn and their crosses in Egypt. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 26, 314–22.Google Scholar
Gurnani, M., Bhatanagar, D. S. & Sundersan, D. (1971). Incidence of inbreeding and its effect on some economic traits in Tharaparker herd at the National Dairy Research Institute, Kormal. Indian Journal of Dairy Science 24, 217–22.Google Scholar
Hawk, H. W., Tyler, W. J. & Casida, L. E. (1954). Some factors affecting age at puberty in Holstein-Friesian heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 37, 252–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hillers, J. & Freeman, A. E. (1964). Effects of inbreeding and selection in a closed Guernsey herd. Journal of Dairy Science 47, 894–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Khishin, S. S. & Issawi, H. F. (1954). The Jersey in Egypt. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 22, 121–7.Google Scholar
Laben, R. C., Cupps, P. T., Mead, S. W. & Reagan, W. M. (1955). Some effects of inbreeding and evidence of heterosis through outcrossing in a Holstein Friesian herd. Journal of Dairy Science 38, 525–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Malik, D. D., Sharda, D. P. & Singh, D. (1967). Effect of inbreeding on some economic traits. Indian Journal of Dairy Science 20, 196200.Google Scholar
Ragab, M. T. & Abdelnoor, A. B. (1966). A genetic analysis of the Friesian cattle in Holland with reference to the effect of inbreeding on some economic characters. Journal of Animal Production, U.A.R. 6, 7588.Google Scholar
Robertson, Alan (1954). Inbreeding and the performance in British Friesian cattle. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1954), 8792.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Struwe, H. (1974). Inbreeding as a test of genetic health in cattle. Animal Breeding Abstracts 42 (2), 543 (abstract).Google Scholar
Thompson, G. M. & Freeman, A. E. (1967). Effect of inbreeding and selection in closed Holstein Friesian herd. Journal of Dairy Science 50, 1824–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar