Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Reproductive Traits in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle)

Simple Summary Due to the extensive marbling of its beef, Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) has continuously gained popularity and has become a mainstay in South Korea's animal industry. In any beef cattle production system, reproductive performance is one of the main economic aspects taken into consideration. Therefore, genetic parameter estimates are necessary to obtain indices in order to maximize the response to selection, which in turn could lead to higher profitability. To date, knowledge on the genetic parameters for reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle is still limited. Therefore, this study estimated the variance components, heritability, phenotypic, and genetic correlations of age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and gestation length (GL) of Hanwoo cattle. This was done using single-trait and multi-trait animal models. Results revealed the low heritability estimates for AFC, CI, DO, and GL in both single-trait and multi-trait models, which indicated the probable slow response of these traits due to direct selection. Moreover, phenotypic and genetic correlations varied from low to high among the reproductive traits of interest. Nevertheless, heritability estimates and genetic correlations shown in this study will prove to be vital as initial estimates are considered in the genetic improvement program of Hanwoo cattle. Abstract Genetic parameters for the reproductive traits of Hanwoo cattle were estimated using data obtained from 15,355 cows in 92 herds across South Korea, which were inseminated from May 1997 to July 2016. An average information restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure that fit in single-trait and multi-trait animal models was used to estimate the variance components of age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and gestation length (GL). Results showed the low estimates of heritability for all reproductive traits from both single-trait and multi-trait models. Estimates of heritability for AFC were 0.08 and 0.10 with single-trait and multi-trait models, respectively, while the estimates of heritability using the same animal models ranged from 0.01 to 0.07, 0.01 to 0.09, and 0.10 to 0.16 for CI, DO, and GL, accordingly. While AFC showed positive genetic correlations of 0.52 and 0.46 with CI and DO, respectively, the estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations of GL with AFC were close to zero. Moreover, phenotypic correlations of GL with CI and DO were also close to zero; however, the corresponding genetic correlations were 0.13 and -0.38 for CI and DO, respectively. These estimated variance components and genetic correlations for reproductive traits can be utilized for genetic improvement programs of Hanwoo cattle.