• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.303-308
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• 2007

In order to investigate the relation of production traits and reproduction traits the data from Gyungnam heugdon(Berkshire) were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients of the reproductive traits including days to first farrowing, days to first breeding and no. of breeding for first litter with back fat thickness were ranged -.24 to -.26. Estimates of heritability and genetic correlation for the reproductive traits including days to first farrowing, days to first breeding and no. of breeding for first litter showed frequent and wide fluctuation due to lack of reproductive records. Pearson correlation coefficients of back fat with litter traits were low, but genetic correlation coefficients were relatively high. Genetic correlation coefficients of back fat with total litter size, pigs born alive, litter weight at birth and litter weight at weaning were .21, .24, .11 and .07 respectively. It suggests that thin back fat thickness deteriorates performance of litter traits. Genetic correlation coefficients of days to 90kg with total litter size, pigs born alive, litter weight at birth and litter weight at weaning were .14, .17, .09 and .00 respectively. This result imply that genetic improvement on the production traits reduce the litter trait performance.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations for reproductive and productive traits and to apply their estimates to selection strategies in a swine population. Reproductive and productive traits considered in this study were number of born alive piglet (NBA), number of weaned piglet (NW), loin eye area (LEA), days to 90 kg (D90KG), back fat thickness (BF), and lean meat content (LEAN). Data were collected from 9,886 litters on 2,447 sows for reproductive traits and 10,181 gilts and boars for productive traits from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2008 in a swine GGP farm. The statistical model to estimate genetic parameters for considering traits was a multiple traits animal model with including animal and maternal additive effects and litter effects on reproductive traits and animal additive effects on productive traits as random as well as some of fixed effects. For estimating (co) variance components of several random effects, restricted maximum likelihood methodology was used on this assumed model. The estimated heritabilities by animal additive effects and maternal effects were 0.07 and 0.02 for NBA and 0.03 and 0.02 for NW, respectively. Genetic correlation estimate for direct genetic effects between NBA and NW was 0.14. Heritability estimates for direct genetic effects were 0.19, 0.39, 0.36, and 0.43 for LEA, D90KG, BF and LEAN, respectively. The genetic correlation of LEA with LEAN was 0.35. Productive traits were antagonistically correlated with reproductive traits. From these results it is concluded that, if selection is done for strong positive effects of reproductive traits, then this would decline productive performance.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.194-198
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• 2007

Reproductive traits of Palaemon gravieri such as embryo size, number of embryo (fecundity), incubation period, larval development mode, larval development period, larval survival and larval growth were described and compared to analyze the correlation among those traits. Embryo volume is a primary factor determining other ensuing reproductive features. Egg volume was $0.042mm^3$ in the first developmental stage. Embryo volume in P. gravieri was comparatively small which is indicative of great number of embryo (y = 3.0161x + 0.0185 $R^2$ = 0.74 positive isometric relationship) and relatively long incubation period. Larvae survived from zoea 1 to post-larvae and it took 45 days at $22^{\circ}C$. Survival rate of the larvae was rather great in the early stage and thereafter steadily decreased. Daily growth rate of larvae in P. gravieri at $22^{\circ}C$ was 0.0195 mm on average. They grew steadily as time went by. Incubation period was between 10-14 days at $22^{\circ}C$. Larval development mode was almost complete planktotrophic. PNR (point of no return) appeared to be the third day on average. Survival rate of larvae without feeding declined rapidly between 3 and 4 days. Larval development period and stage frequency were 23-30 days and 11 stages which imply prolonged larval period and high mortality. The pattern of brood production followed fast successive parturial pattern. Most ovigerous female had mature ovary when they performed parturial molt soon after hatching (larval release).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.185-192
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• 2013

Many countries have implemented genetic evaluation for fertility traits in recent years. In particular, reproductive trait is a complex trait and need to require a system-level approach for identifying candidate genes related to the trait. To find the candidate gene associated with reproductive trait, we applied a weighted gene co-expression network analysis from expression value of bovine genes. We identified three co-expressed modules associated with reproductive trait from bovine microarray data. Hub genes (ZP4, FHL2 and EGR4) were determined in each module; they were topologically centered with statistically significant value in the gene co-expression network. We were able to find the highly co-expressed gene pairs with a correlation coefficient. Finally, the crucial functions of co-expressed modules were reported from functional enrichment analysis. We suggest that the network-based approach in livestock may an important method for analyzing the complex effects of candidate genes associated with economic traits like reproduction.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2016

Improving the reproductive traits of Hanwoo might decrease their production cost. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of environmental factors [registration grade (basic, pedigree or advanced), birth year, birth season, parity, delivery year, and delivery season] on various reproductive traits (age at 1st service, age at 1st conception, age for 1st calving, days at 1st service postpartum, non-pregnant condition period, calving interval, gestation length, and number of services for conception) in Hanwoo (primiparous 12,219 heads, multiparous 10,471 heads). All data was acquired from Gyeongnam province areas which were surveyed from 2007 to 2015. All environmental factors significantly influenced (p < 0.01) reproductive traits of primiparous cows but, but not all environmental factors influenced multiparous cows. Primiparous cows registered as advanced grade showed significantly lower age at 1st service (by 15.36 days), age at 1st conception (by 8.66 days), and age for 1st calving (by 8.77 days) (p < 0.01) than those registered as basic grades. Age at 1st service, age at 1st conception and age for 1st calving were not significantly related to birth year in primiparous cows. As delivery years advanced from 2005 to 2012, all durations associated to reproductive traits tended to be shorter. Days at 1st service postpartum, non-pregnant condition period, and calving interval tended to be shortened as parity increased. Days at 1st service postpartum, days open, calving interval, and gestation in multiparous cows calved in winter were shorter than those in summer. The registration grade was not a effected with reproductive traits in Hanwoo.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1388-1393
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• 2015

Genetic parameters of Berkshire pigs for reproduction, carcass and meat quality traits were estimated using the records from a breeding farm in Korea. For reproduction traits, 2,457 records of the total number of piglets born (TNB) and the number of piglets born alive (NBA) from 781 sows and 53 sires were used. For two carcass traits which are carcass weight (CW) and backfat thickness (BF) and for 10 meat quality traits which are pH value after 45 minutes (pH45m), pH value after 24 hours (pH24h), lightness in meat color (LMC), redness in meat color (RMC), yellowness in meat color (YMC), moisture holding capacity (MHC), drip loss (DL), cooking loss (CL), fat content (FC), and shear force value (SH), 1,942 pig records were used to estimate genetic parameters. The genetic parameters for each trait were estimated using VCE program with animal model. Heritability estimates for reproduction traits TNB and NBA were 0.07 and 0.06, respectively, for carcass traits CW and BF were 0.37 and 0.57, respectively and for meat traits pH45m, pH24h, LMC, RMC, YMC, MHC, DL, CL, FC, and SH were 0.48, 0.15, 0.19, 0.36, 0.28, 0.21, 0.33, 0.45, 0.43, and 0.39, respectively. The estimate for genetic correlation coefficient between CW and BF was 0.27. The Genetic correlation between pH24h and meat color traits were in the range of -0.51 to -0.33 and between pH24h and DL and SH were -0.41 and -0.32, respectively. The estimates for genetic correlation coefficients between reproductive and meat quality traits were very low or zero. However, the estimates for genetic correlation coefficients between reproductive traits and drip and cooking loss were in the range of 0.12 to 0.17 and -0.14 to -0.12, respectively. As the estimated heritability of meat quality traits showed medium to high heritability, these traits may be applicable for the genetic improvement by continuous measurement. However, since some of the meat quality traits showed negative genetic correlations with carcass traits, an appropriate breeding scheme is required that carefully considers the complexity of genetic parameters and applicability of data.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.955-963
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 305-day cumulative milk yield and components, growth, and reproductive traits in Guzerá cattle. Methods: The evaluated traits were 305-day first-lactation cumulative yields (kg) of milk (MY305), fat (FY305), protein (PY305), lactose (LY305), and total solids (SY305); age at first calving (AFC) in days; adjusted scrotal perimeter (cm) at the ages of 365 (SP365) and 450 (SP450) days; and adjusted body weight (kg) at the ages of 210 (W210), 365 (W365), and 450 (W450) days. The (co)variance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method for single-trait, bi-trait and tri-trait analyses. Contemporary groups and additive genetic effects were included in the general mixed model. Maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects were also included for W210. Results: The direct heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 (W210) to 0.32 (MY305). The maternal heritability estimate for W210 was 0.03. Genetic correlation estimates among milk production traits and growth traits ranged from 0.92 to 0.99 and from 0.92 to 0.99, respectively. For milk production and growth traits, the genetic correlations ranged from 0.33 to 0.56. The genetic correlations among AFC and all other traits were negative (-0.43 to -0.27). Scrotal perimeter traits and body weights showed genetic correlations ranging from 0.41 to 0.46, and scrotal perimeter and milk production traits showed genetic correlations ranging from 0.11 to 0.30. The phenotypic correlations were similar in direction (same sign) and lower than the corresponding genetic correlations. Conclusion: These results suggest the viability and potential of joint selection for dairy and beef traits in Guzerá cattle, taking into account reproductive traits.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1451-1459
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of the study were to evaluate reproductive performance and selection response through genetic trend of community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) of Bonga sheep. Methods: Reproduction traits data were collected between 2012 and 2018 from Bonga sheep CBBPs. Phenotypic performance was analyzed using the general linear model procedures of Statistical Analysis System. Genetic parameters were estimated by univariate animal model for age at first lambing (AFL) and repeatability models for lambing interval (LI), litter size (LS), and annual reproductive rate (ARR) traits using restricted maximum likelihood method of WOMBAT. For correlations bivariate animal model was used. Best model was chosen based on likelihood ratio test. The genetic trends were estimated by the weighted regression of the average breeding value of the animals on the year of birth/lambing. Results: The overall least squares mean±standard error of AFL, LI, LS, and ARR were 375±12.5, 284±9.9, 1.45±0.010, and 2.31±0.050, respectively. Direct heritability estimates for AFL, LI, LS, and ARR were 0.07±0.190, 0.06±0.120, 0.18±0.070, and 0.25±0.203, respectively. The low heritability for both AFL and LI showed that these traits respond little to selection programs but rather highly depend on animal management options. The annual genetic gains were -0.0281 days, -0.016 days, -0.0002 lambs and 0.0003 lambs for AFL, LI, LS, and ARR, respectively. Conclusion: Implications of the result to future improvement programs were improving management of animals, conservation of prolific flocks and out scaling the CBBP to get better results.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.484-488
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• 2008

We investigated the effect of the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) on total number of born (TNB), number of born alive (NBA) and number of weaned (NW) piglets in Large White (LW), White Meaty (WM) and Landrace (L) sows from six Slovak breeding farms. The frequency of A allele was 0.48, 0.49 and 0.47 in LW, WM and L, respectively. We found numerous highly significant effects of PRLR locus on TNB ($p{\leq}0.01$; $p{\leq}0.05$) in all tested breeds. The most marked difference of +$1.31{\pm}0.45pigs/L$ was found between AA and BB genotypes in WM. Within the other breeds the difference between the homozygous genotypes reached up to +$0.94{\pm}0.3$ and +$1.21{\pm}0.19$ pigs per litter in LW and L, respectively. We also identified significant differences between AA and AB genotypes related to TNB in L. Similarly NBA, as well as NW traits were significantly affected ($p{\leq}0.01$; $p{\leq}0.05$) by the genotype just in LW and L. The homozygous genotype AA was favourable in all breeds and traits. Our results showed the possibility of PRLR utilization in marker-assisted selection within breeding programs to increase reproductive traits of pigs in Slovakia.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.391-394
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of semen on reproductive ability in crossbred Korean native chicken (KNC, 58-wk old). The body weight, volume of semen and concentration of spermatozoa, were 2.96 g, 0.40 ml, $36.58{\times}10^8/ml$, respectively, in KNC. The fertility and hatchability were 94.8% and 78.8% respectively in crossbred KNC. KNC(Y) was high compared to other strains in fertility. The other strains were not significantly different among 6 strains. The results of this experiment indicated that hatchability of (G) was high compared to other strains. The result of this study could be available to genetic improvement of reproductive traits as a basic reference in KNC strains. To achieve the more effective improvement of reproductive traits, addition research such as genetic parameter evaluation should be performed.