HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Interpretive Summary Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Onyiro, O. M. Articles by Brotherstone, S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Onyiro, O. M. Articles by Brotherstone, S.

Genetic Analysis of Locomotion and Associated Conformation Traits of Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cows Managed in Different Housing Systems

School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH9 3JT

¹ Corresponding author: o.m.onyiro{at}sms.ed.ac.uk

The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of housing on lameness-related linear and composite traits, and to estimate heritabilities of the traits and correlations among them. Data comprised 156,770 national type evaluation records of pedigreed first-lactation Holstein-Friesian cows that calved from 2000 through 2006 and were classified in different housing systems—cubicles, straw yards, slatted or loafing yards, and on pasture. Locomotion score (LOCO), rear leg, side view (RLS), foot angle (FA), bone quality (BO-NEQ), legs and feet (L&F), and mammary composite (MAMM) were the traits measured. Data were analyzed by REML, using an animal model. In general, cows in grazing systems had better locomotion, straighter RLS, steeper FA, flat and more refined bones, better L&F, and better mammary systems compared with cows housed in other systems. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.11 for LOCO to 0.31 for MAMM. Bone quality had the highest heritability (0.23) of the traits associated with L&F. Genetic associations between BO-NEQ and LOCO, L&F, and MAMM were moderate to high (0.30 to 0.50), but estimates between BONEQ and RLS and FA were not significantly different from zero. Locomotion score had a very high genetic (0.98) and phenotypic (0.78) correlation with L&F, indicating that both traits are genetically the same. On the basis of the genetic parameters, including BONEQ in a selection index as a predictor of longevity is promising, but further information on its association with longevity is required.

Key Words: genetic analysis • locomotion • conformation • housing system

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. G. Baird, N. E. O'Connell, M. A. McCoy, T. W. J. Keady, and D. J. Kilpatrick Effects of breed and production system on lameness parameters in dairy cattle J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2009; 92(5): 2174 - 2182. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. M. Onyiro, L. J. Andrews, and S. Brotherstone Genetic Parameters for Digital Dermatitis and Correlations with Locomotion, Production, Fertility Traits, and Longevity in Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2008; 91(10): 4037 - 4046. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]