Estimation of genetic, environmental and phenotypic trends for economic lifetime of the Lori-Bakhtiari ewes

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M. Sc. Student, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch

2 Associate Prof. Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center, Shahrekord

3 Assistant Prof. Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch

Abstract

In this study, the number of 1802 longevity records of ewes collected during 1989 to 2010 in Breeding Station of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep flocks were used to estimate of genetic, environmental and phenotypic trends for economic lifetime. The breeding values of a ewe’s lifetime were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood procedure under an animal model of univariate analysis. The best linear unbiased prediction of breeding values estimated and genetic trends were estimated as a regression coefficient of average breeding values on the birth year of ewes. The environmental and phenotypic trends estimated as a regression coefficient of average environmental deviation and phenotypic deviation (deviations of phenotypic values from overall mean) on the birth year of ewes. The results showed that, genetic trend of longevity was positive (0.033 days) but insignificant from zero. While the environmental and phenotypic trends were equal to -27.81 and -27.78 days, respectively, and significantly different from zero (P<0.05).  Thus, selection for growth traits did not affect longevity traits as genetically and to exhibit negative phenotypic trend for longevity the environmental factors should improve firstly

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of animal Science
Volume 45, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2014
Pages 273-278

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History

  • Receive Date: 04 March 2014
  • Revise Date: 16 August 2014
  • Accept Date: 02 September 2014

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