ARS | Publication request: Genetic Correlations Between Carcass Traits And Molecular Breeding Values In Angus Cattle

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 1, 2010
Publication Date: August 1, 2010
Citation: MacNeil, M.D., Northcutt, S.L., Schnabel, R.D., Garrick, D.J., Woodward, B.W., Taylor, J.F. 2010. Genetic Correlations Between Carcass Traits And Molecular Breeding Values In Angus Cattle. Proceedings 9th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production PP2-148.

Interpretive Summary: Three sources of information potentially contribute to genetic evaluation systems implemented by breed associations for nationwide comparison of animals. This research elucidated genetic relationships between carcass traits, ultrasound indicator traits, and their respective molecular breeding values (MBV). Results are presented for two generations of MBV; the first developed primarily from candidate gene loci and the second developed from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations determined from genome-wide analysis. Results show MBV to be useful indicators of economically relevant traits in Angus cattle. The MBV derived from trait-associated SNP identified through genome-wide association analysis appear more useful than the MBV derived from SNP at candidate gene loci. To date, high accuracy genetic evaluations continue to require the collection of phenotypic data for economically relevant traits. This research provides guidance the American Angus Association, the beef breed with the greatest number of members and registrations in the U.S., for implementation of their national cattle evaluation for carcass traits.

Technical Abstract: This research elucidated genetic relationships between carcass traits, ultrasound indicator traits, and their respective molecular breeding values (MBV). Animals whose MBV data were used to estimate (co)variance components were not previously used in development of the MBV. Results are presented for two generations of MBV; the first developed primarily from candidate gene loci and the second developed from SNP associations determined from genome-wide association analysis. Results show MBV to be useful indicators of economically relevant traits in Angus cattle. The MBV derived from trait-associated SNP identified through genome-wide association analysis appear more useful than the MBV derived from SNP at candidate gene loci. To date, high accuracy genetic evaluations continue to require the collection of phenotypic data for economically relevant traits.