RESUMO: Os objetivos foram avaliar os efeitos das estações e latitude na contagem de carrapatos e determinar o melhor modelo para estimar parâmetros genéticos para contagem de carrapatos e pelame. Foram utilizados registros de animais expostos naturalmente a carrapatos em fazendas em vários estados brasileiros e no Paraguai. A ANOVA foi utilizada para verificar os efeitos das estações e da latitude na característica de contagem de carrapatos. A primavera foi a estação com a maior média, seguida pelo verão e outono, que não mostraram diferenças entre eles. O inverno apresentou os menores valores médios. A latitude -11° teve o maior valor médio seguido pela latitude -18°. A abordagem bayesiana foi usada para avaliar a contagem de carrapatos e o pelame e identificar o modelo adequado para estimar parâmetros genéticos e para uso em avaliações genéticas. Os dados foram analisados usando um modelo animal com quatro especificações diferentes para efeitos “fixos”. A inferência foi baseada em uma cadeia de Markov Monte Carlo (MCMC). Os critérios de seleção do modelo bayesiano indicaram que o modelo M1, que considerou a composição racial no grupo contemporâneo, foi superior aos demais modelos, tanto na contagem de carrapatos e para pelame. As estimativas de herdabilidade para contagem de carrapatos e pelame obtidas usando o modelo M1 foram de 0,14 e 0,22, respectivamente. As correlações de ranking entre os modelos para a contagem de carrapatos e pelame foram estimadas e a reordenação foi verificada para a contagem de carrapatos. A correlação genética estimada entre a contagem de carrapatos e pelame foi negativa (-0,12). Esses achados sugerem que genes diferentes regulam a contagem de carrapatos e pelame.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effects of seasons and latitude on tick counting and determined the best model to estimate genetic parameters for tick count and hair coat. Records of animals naturally exposed to ticks on farms in several Brazilian states and in Paraguay were used. The ANOVA was used to verify the effects of seasons and latitude on the tick count trait. Spring was the season with the highest average, followed by summer and autumn, which showed no differences between them. The winter presented the lowest average values. Latitude -11° had the highest mean value followed by latitude -18°. The Bayesian approach was used to evaluate tick count and hair coat and to identify a suitable model for estimating genetic parameters for use in genetic evaluations. The data were analyzed using an animal model with four different specifications for “fixed” purposes. The inference was based on a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The criteria for selection of the Bayesian model indicated that the M1 model, which considered the breed composition in the contemporary group, was superior to the other models, both for tick count and hair coat. Heritability estimates for tick count and hair coat obtained using the M1 model were 0.14 and 0.22, respectively. The rank correlations between the models for tick count and hair coat were estimated and reordering was verified for tick count. The estimated genetic correlation between tick count and hair coat traits was negative (-0.12). These findings suggest that different genes regulate tick count and hair coat.

RESUMO: O objetivo neste trabalho foi identificar o modelo animal que melhor descreve a variação genética e residual para a característica contagem de carrapatos ao sobreano, em uma população multirracial Angus-Nelore constituída por 6.951 animais, filhos de 382 touros e 6.198 vacas. Os valores genéticos foram preditos a partir da metodologia de inferência Bayesiana utilizando os seguintes modelos: Animal Tradicional, Animal Multirracial sem e com segregação, considerando as variâncias residuais homo ou heterocedástica. Os critérios de escolha foram o Número de Parâmetros, a Informação de Deviance e a Ordenada Preditiva, os quais apontaram os Modelos Animal Tradicional e o Multirracial com Segregação, ambos com variância residual Gaussiana heterocedástica, como os de melhor ajuste. Os valores médios dos efeitos genéticos fixos foram positivos e similares nos dois modelos, sugerindo que os animais com maior proporção da raça Angus sofreram maior infestação e atribuindo-se, portanto, a raça Nelore importante papel na resistência ao carrapato. Verificou-se que a variância genética estimada pelo Modelo Animal Gaussiano heterocedástico para a raça Nelore foi 4,54 vezes maior do que a estimada para a raça Angus. As estimativas de herdabilidade nos diferentes grupos genéticos variaram de 0,12 a 0,15 e de 0,01 a 0,35, respectivamente, no Modelo Animal Tradicional e no Multirracial Gaussiano heterocedástico. A correlação de ordenamento de Spearman entre os valores genéticos preditos, considerando todos os reprodutores da população, foi 0,94. Contudo, ao considerar os melhores touros, TOP 10%, 20% e 30%, as diferenças com relação ao ordenamento foram mais evidentes (0,28 a 0,67). O modelo Animal Multirracial com Segregação com variâncias residuais heterogêneas foi o mais apropriado para avaliação genética da característica Contagem de Carrapatos de animais produtos do cruzamento Angus-Nelore.

ABSTRACT: This research identified the animal model that best describes the genetic and residual variations for tick counts in yearlings from a crossbred Angus-Nellore population of 6,951 animals that are progenies of 382 bulls and 6,198 cows. Genetic values were predicted by the Bayesian inference methodology. The models tested were: Traditional Animal, and Crossbred Animal with and without segregation, considering residual homoscedastic and heteroscedastic variances. The criteria of choice were the number of parameters, deviance information, and predictive order, which indicated the best fitfor the Traditional Animal model and Crossbred Animal model (with segregation), both with residual heteroscedastic Gaussian variance. The mean values of fixed genetic effects were positive and similar in the both models, indicating that animals with higher proportion of the Angus breed had greater infestation, and the Nellore breed was an important addition for resistance to ticks. The estimated genetic variation by the heteroscedastic Gaussian Animal model for the Nellore breed was 4.54-fold higher than that estimated for the Angus breed. The estimates of heritability of the different genetic groups ranged from 0.12 to 0.15 and from 0.01 to 0.35, respectively, for the Traditional Animal model and for the heteroscedastic Gaussian crossbred model. The Spearman’s rank-order correlation for the predicted genetic values was 0.94, considering all sires. However, when considering the top 10%, 20%, and 30% sires, differences in ranking were more evident (0.28 to 0.67). The Crossbred Animal model with segregation and heterogeneous residual variances was the most appropriate for genetic evaluation of tick counts on animals from Angus-Nellore crossings.

ABSTRACT This study was intended to estimate the genetic associations between growth traits and visual scores with possible changes in mature weight (MW) in 397,900 Nellore animals. A bi-character analysis was performed to estimate the (co)variances and genetic parameters for MW, which comprises the following traits: conformation, finishing precocity, musculature at weaning (WC, WP, and WM) and yearling (YC, YP, and YM), birth weight (BW), weight from birth to weaning (WG), weight from weaning to yearling (YG), and final index (FIND). The observed mean MW was 417.6±56.2 kg, and the direct genetic effect mean estimated heritability ( h 2 a 1) of MW was 0.45. Overall, the BW was 31.0±3.7 kg, and the estimated h² was 0.34. The heritability estimate of the maternal additive genetic component ( h 2 m 2) of BW was 0.07. We calculated the mean WG to be 144.1±26.3 and estimated the h 2 a 2 as 0.18 and h 2 m 2 as 0.07. The value for h 2 a YG (0.17) and YW (0.26) were also estimated. The heritability of the weaning WC (0.17), WP (0.19), and WM (0.17) and yearling YC (0.25), YP (0.27), and YM (0.25) were estimated using visual scores. The h 2 m values for weaning WC, WP, and WM (0.06) with visual scores were estimated. The genetic correlations between body weight (BoW) at YC and WC (0.62) were considered moderately high and positive. In addition, YP (0.18), YM (0.15), WP (0.13), and WM (0.14) were considered moderately low compared with MW. The genetic correlation between BW and FIND (0.38) was considered positive and moderate. The heritability estimation indicates that growth traits, visual scores, and weight of adult cows could be changed by selection. Cows that presented the highest h 2 a values for live weight responded rapidly to selection based on growth characteristics, visual scores, and FIND and might result in increased final MW.

ABSTRACT. Heritability and direct and maternal genetic changes were estimated in Nellore cattle for the following traits: birth to weaning weight gain (BWG), weaning to yearling weight gain (YWG), weaning conformation (WC), weaning precocity (WP), weaning muscling (WM), yearling conformation (YC), yearling precocity (YP), yearling muscling (YM) and yearling scrotal circumference (SC). Direct and maternal heritability for weaning traits were 0.21±0.03 and 0.13±0.01 (BWG); 0.19±0.03 and 0.07±0.01 (WC); 0.22±0.03 and 0.07±0.01 (WP); 0.20±0.03 and 0.07±0.01 (WM), respectively. For yearling traits, direct heritability were 0.19±0.04 (YWG); 0.32±0.05 (YC); 0.37±0.05 (YP); 0.38±0.05 (YM) and 0.41±0.04 (SC). Positive and significant direct genetic changes (p < 0.05) were found for all traits, except for WC (p = 0.09), equal to 0.138 kg year-1 (BWG), 0.003 units year-1 (WC), 0.011 units year-1 (WP), 0.009 units year-1 (WM), 0.132 kg year-1 (YWG), 0.003 units year-1 (YC), 0.011 units year-1 (YP), 0.011 units year-1 (YM) and 0.020 cm year-1 (SC), indicating favorable genetic gains in the period. For weaning traits, we obtained negative and non-significant (p > 0.05) maternal genetic trends, with values of -0.084 kg year-1 (BWG), -0.004 units year-1 (WC), -0.004 units year-1 (WP) and -0.004 units year-1 (WM). Thus, greater emphasis should be given for maternal genetic merit of weaning traits in this population, if improvements in maternal ability were desirable.

ABSTRACT This study aimed at estimating the heritability of age at first calving and of performance traits included in the selection index and the genetic correlations between age at first calving and these performance traits. Data were extracted from the Conexão Delta G database and only data from herds in which heifers were bred younger than 24 months of age were used, resulting in a file with 331,310 evaluated animals. The following traits were included in the analyses: age at first calving, birth to weaning gain, post-weaning weight gain, visual scores of conformation, precocity, and muscling evaluated at weaning and in yearling heifers. Covariance components were obtained by bi-character analyses between traits. An alternative age at first calving was also taken into account, in which all heifers were used, including those that were mated and did not calve. Covariance components and estimates of the effects included in the model were obtained using the software program DMU. Heritability estimates were 0.11 and 0.13 for age at first calving and alternative age at first calving, 0.38 for birth to weaning gain, and 0.13 for post-weaning weight gain. Visual score estimates ranged between 0.16 and 0.18 at weaning and 0.19 and 0.29 in yearlings. Genetic correlation estimates of the traits were low, but in the desirable direction. Selection for birth to weaning gain and visual scores does not have a negative effect on age at first calving or alternative age at first calving.

RESUMO: O peso adulto das vacas (PV) está relacionado com os custos de produção. Em geral, vacas com PV moderados são mais eficientes em ambientes desafiadores, como aqueles disponíveis nos sistemas de produção no Brasil. No presente estudo, o índice de seleção compreende as seguintes características: conformação, precocidade e musculatura nas fases da desmama (CD, PD e MD) e sobreano (CS, PS e MS), circunferência escrotal no sobreano (CE), dias para ganhar 160kg do nascimento até a desmama (D160) e 240kg pós-desmama (D240), que estão relacionadas com os ganhos de peso do nascimento à desmama (GD) e, da desmama ao sobreano (GS). As características PV e PN não foram consideradas no índice de seleção. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar os valores das tendências genéticas (TG) das importantes características de seleção (PV) e econômicas (PN). Para estimar os componentes de (co)variâncias e os dados genéticos, foram realizadas análises bi-caracter de PV com as demais características. Os resultados de TG obtidos para PV foram nulos (0,0065% ou 0,02718kg por ano) no período de 1990 á 2007. Os valores de TG foram estimados para PN (-0,0650% ou -0,02017kg), GD (0,0758% ou 0,0865kg), GS (0,1051% ou 0,11377kg) e PF (0,0393% ou 0,11276kg) por ano. Os valores dos escores visuais (em unidades de escore) foram determinados para TG à desmama [CD (0,2310%; 0,00707), PD (0,3624%; 0,3623%) e MD (0,01149; 0,01087)] e sobreano [CS (0,3256%; 0,00990), PS (0,4795%; 0,01496) e MS (0,5041%; 0,01457)] ao ano. A seleção baseada no índice foi efetiva para promover o progresso genético nas características de GD, CD, PD, MD, GS, CS, PS e mantendo PN e PV constantes.

ABSTRACT: Mature weight (MW) of cows is related to the costs of their production. Usually, cows with moderate MW are more efficient in challenging environments, such as those available in the production systems in Brazil. In the present study, the selection index comprises the following traits: conformation, finishing precocity, musculature at weaning (WC, WP, WM) yearling (YC, YP and YM), scrotal circumference at yearling (SC), days to gain 160kg from birth to weaning (D160) and 240kg after weaning (D240). This are related to birth weight gain at weaning (WG) and from weaning to yearling (YG). The mature (MW) and birth weight (BW) traits were not considered in the selection index. The aim of this study was to estimate the values for the genetic trends (GT) of some important selection (MW) and economic traits (BW). A bi-character analysis of MW and other characteristics was performed to estimate the (co)variance components and genetic parameters. The GT results obtained for MW were null (0.0065% or 0.02718kg per year) in the period 1990-2007. The GT values were determined for BW (-0.0650% or -0.02017kg), WG (0.0758% or 0.0865kg), YG (0.1051% or 0.11377kg), and MW (0.0393% or 0.11276kg) per year. The visual score values (in score units) were also determined for GTat weaning [WC (0.2310%; 0.00707), WP (0.3624%; 0.3623%),aWM (0.01149; 0.01087)] yearling [YC (0.3256%; 0.00990), YP (0.4795%; 0.01496),YM (0.5041%; 0.01457)] per year. Index-based selection was effective to promote genetic progress in WG, WC, WP, WM, YG, YC, YP, and YM characteristics keeping BW and MW constant.

Um programa com base em análise de conglomerados foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de formar lotes de touros geneticamente semelhantes para serem empregados como grupos de reprodutores múltiplos em acasalamentos dirigidos. Para o cálculo das distâncias entre os animais, as diferenças esperadas na progênie (DEPs) de nove características pré e pós-desmama foram padronizadas pelos respectivos desvios-padrão e ponderadas pelos mesmos fatores usados na construção do índice de seleção. O critério de formação dos lotes foi o de minimizar o somatório de todas as distâncias entre todos os possíveis pares de touros. O programa foi testado com 158 touros destaques de um rebanho Nelore. Um conjunto de 4740 vacas do mesmo rebanho foi utilizado para avaliar três situações de acasalamentos, quanto à produção de animais geneticamente superiores: (1) ao acaso; (2) dirigido, por meio do programa de acasalamentos dirigidos (PAD), com monta controlada; e (3) dirigido, por meio do PAD, com grupos de reprodutores múltiplos. Por meio de análise de componentes principais, foram avaliados os biotipos genéticos existentes nestas categorias de animais. Os valores extremos das médias das DEPs dos lotes e as do conjunto de touros foram muito semelhantes, indicando a capacidade do programa de preservar a maior parte da variância total. O uso do PAD, em relação à opção de acasalamentos ao acaso, fez com que as variâncias das DEPs dos produtos fossem triplicadas e, assim, permitiu incremento de 70% no número de animais a receberem o Certificado Especial de Identificação e Produção (CEIP) quando estipulou-se, como valor mínimo para a emissão deste, o menor índice dos 20% melhores produtos dos acasalamentos ao acasos. O primeiro componente principal das vacas indicou que dias para ganhar 240 kg pós-desmama e perímetro escrotal ajustado para idade e peso foram as características menos relevantes para explicar a variabilidade total no pré e no pós-desmama; o segundo discriminou entre animais melhores em desenvolvimento e nas avaliações visuais à desmama e o contrário ao sobreano, e animais com características opostas a estas; o terceiro componente ressaltou diferenças em precocidade reprodutiva. Para os touros e grupos de reprodutores, mesmo após intensa seleção, a maior parte da variação ainda existente esteve associada a diferenças em precocidade.

Cluster analysis principles were used to allot bulls to be used as Multiple Service sires (MS). Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) on pre- and postweaning traits were used to calculate distances between bulls. EPDs were standardized and weighed to form a final selection index. The criteria to form lots was based on minimizing the sum of all standardized distances for all possible pairs of bulls. The program was tested on a set of 158 top bulls from a Nelore herd. A set of 4,740 breeding cows was used to evaluate three breeding strategies with the goal of producing genetically superior individuals: (1) random mating; (2) single sire under designed matings by a specific program (PAD); and (3) lots of multiple sires under designed matings using PAD. Principal components was used to obtain the genetic biotypes existing in these populations. Extreme values in EPDs amongst MS lots averages and overall were very similar, indicating the program's ability to preserve total variance. Variances of EPDs from calf crops obtained under the use of PAD were increased three fold. Using designed matings by PAD allowed an increase of 70% in the number of animals which would be recognized with official and fiscal benefits in comparison with random mating. First principal components for cows, indicated that most genetic variability is accounted for preweaning traits and visual scores at postweaning; the second indicated animals can be contrasted as good weaners and poor performer at yearling and vice-versa; the third component showed diferences in sexual precocity. For single and multiple sires, despite the stronger selection pressure behind them, most of the remaining genetic variability is associated with differences in precocity (traits associated with early finishing).

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram a obtenção de fatores de correção para efeitos de idade do bezerro, idade da vaca e data juliana do nascimento sobre o ganho de peso do nascimento à desmama (GND) e sobre os escores visuais de conformação (C), precocidade (P) e musculatura (M) e a estimação dos efeitos das heteroses materna e individual nessas características. Foram utilizados dados dos Programas de Melhoramento Genético Natura e Conexão Delta G, totalizando 187.610 bezerros puros e cruzas, nascidos no período de 1989 a 1999 em vários estados do Brasil. Os modelos estatísticos utilizados nas análises consideraram os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo, idade do bezerro (regressão quadrática), idade da vaca (regressão polinomial quadrática-quadrática com nó aos 7 anos), data juliana de nascimento (regressão polinomial quadrática-quadrática-quadrática com nós aos 165 e 260 dias para GND, 150 e 240 dias para C, 165 e 270 dias para P e 155 e 260 dias para M) e heterozigoses materna e individual (regressões lineares). Todos os efeitos considerados no modelo influenciaram de forma significativa o GND e os escores de C, P e M. Os valores estimados de heterose materna e individual foram, respectivamente, 8,9% e 9,9% para GND, 10,0% e 6,6% para C, 8,5% e 4,8 % para P e 10,9% e 5,0% para M.

ABSTRACT - The objectives of this study were to obtain adjustment factors for effects of calf age, dam age and calf Julian birth date on weight gain from birth to weaning (GND) and on visual scores of conformation (C), precocity (P), and muscling (M) and to estimate effects of maternal and individual heterosis on those traits. The analyzed records were from two breeding programs named Natura and Conexão Delta G, totalizing 187,610 purebred and crossbred Nellore x Angus and Nellore x Hereford calves. Calves were born between 1989 and 1999 in herds located in different states of Brazil. The statistical models applied to analyze GND and visual scores of C, P, and M included fixed effects of contemporary group, calf age (quadratic regression), dam age (quadratic-quadratic polynomial regression with junction point at seven years), calf Julian birth date (quadratic-quadratic-quadratic polynomial regression with junctions at 165 and 260 days for GND, 150 and 240 days for C, 165 and 270 days for P, and 155 and 260 days for M), and individual and maternal heterozygosity (linear regressions). All effects included in the model showed significant influence on GND and on visual scores of C, P, and M. The estimated values of maternal and individual heterosis were, respectively, 8.9% and 9.9% for GND; 10.0% and 6.6% for C; 8.5% and 4.8% for P; and 10.9% and 5.0% for M.

Dados de 17.796 bovinos Angus x Nelore pertencentes a 50 rebanhos associados ao "Programa Natura", localizados nos Estados de Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo e Tocantins foram analisados para estimar os efeitos das heteroses materna e individual sobre o ganho de peso do nascimento ao desmame. O modelo estatístico utilizado nas análises continha os efeitos fixos da média geral, grupo contemporâneo, heterozigoses materna e individual (covariáveis), efeitos aleatórios de touro (aditivo), vaca (efeito materno composto), segregação mendeliana e resíduo. Para estimar os efeitos, utilizou-se um procedimento iterativo, que alternava análises genéticas para grupos contemporâneos e efeitos aditivos+maternos sobre o ganho de peso pré-ajustado para heteroses e análises, com o objetivo de estimar os efeitos das covariáveis sobre o ganho de peso pré-ajustado para grupo contemporâneo e efeitos aditivos+maternos. O processo foi finalizado quando as estimativas se tornaram estáveis. Os resultados indicaram relação linear positiva entre as heterozigoses e as heteroses materna e individual. Foram obtidos valores de 15,46% (22,62 kg) para heterose materna e 9,10% (13,31 kg) para heterose individual. Com base no grau de dificuldade para estimar os efeitos de heterose no presente trabalho, é necessário precaução ao sugerir a simples inclusão das heterozigoses no modelo estatístico e deixar que o ajuste se realize automaticamente.

Records from 17,796 Angus x Nellore cattle out of 50 Associated Herds from the "Program Nature", in the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo and Tocantins were analyzed in order to estimate the effects of maternal and individual heterosis on the weight gain from birth to weaning. The used statistical model included the fixed effects of a general mean and contemporary groups, maternal and individual heterozygosity (covariables), random effects of sire (additive), dam (composite maternal), mendelian segregation and residue. To estimate the effects, an iterative process was used, that alternated genetic analysis for the contemporary groups and additive + maternal effects on the readjusted weight gain for heterosis and statistical analysis to estimate the effects of the covariables on readjusting weight gain for the contemporary groups and additive + maternal effects. The process was ended when the estimates became stable. The results indicated a positive linear relationship between heterozygosity and maternal and individual heterosis. Estimated values of 15.46% (22.62 kg) for maternal heterosis and 9.10% (13,31 kg) for individual heterosis were observed. Based on the degree of difficulties to estimate the heterosis effects in the present work, it is necessary caution to suggest just the inclusion of heterozygosities in the statistical model and let it be adjusted by itself.