Impact of nonadditive genetic effects in the estimation of breeding values for fertility and correlated traits

The effects of inbreeding, heterosis, recombination loss, and percentage Holstein on the estimation of predicted transmitting abilities for fertility traits (calving interval, number of days from calving to first insemination, nonreturn rate, number of inseminations) and correlated traits (milk yield at test nearest d 110 and body condition score) were examined in a mixed population of Holstein and Friesian cattle. An unfavorable effect of percentage Holstein on calving interval was observed, resulting in a 12-d increase for pure Holsteins compared with pure Friesians. Insemination traits were less affected by percentage Holstein, with 3% more animals returning to first service within 56 d and 0.1 more inseminations required for Holstein animals. Heterosis and recombination loss affected some of the traits. Heterosis had a favorable effect on yield, with a 0.35-kg difference between a pure and cross-bred animal for test milk. There was a reduction of 1 d to first insemination between a pure and first-crossbred animal. Inbreeding had a significant and unfavorable effect on all traits. The difference between a noninbred animal and an animal with an inbreeding coefficient of 10% was a 2.8-d increase in calving interval, a 1.7-d increase in days to first insemination, a 1% increased probability to return to estrus at first service, 0.03 more inseminations, a 0.27-unit decrease in body condition, and a 0.54-kg decrease in milk on test nearest d 110. The effect of inbreeding depression was more pronounced at higher levels of inbreeding. The rank correlations between the predicted transmitting abilities for fertility and correlated traits, with and without the additional nonadditive effects in the model, were over 0.99. Steps should be taken to control the rise in inbreeding, or the effects on fertility and correlated traits such as milk production will begin to manifest themselves.