2007 paul vanraden animal improvement programs laboratory, usda agricultural research service,...

2007

Paul VanRadenPaul VanRaden

Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory, USDAAgricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, [email protected]

2007

Selection for Fertility in Dairy Selection for Fertility in Dairy CattleCattle

Uberlandia, Brazil 2007 (2) P.M. VanRaden200

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Factors Affecting FertilityFactors Affecting Fertility

Environment and management• Season, region, herd, age, milk yield• Calving difficulty, twins, mastitis, health • Estrus detection and / or synchronization• Voluntary waiting period

Genes of cow (Daughter Pregnancy Rate)

Fertility of bull (ERCR) Interaction of bull’s and cow’s genes


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Genetic InteractionsGenetic Interactions

Lethal recessive genes• CVM aborts pregnancy 30-280 days• DUMPS aborts embryo at ~45 days• New defect causes loss at ~5 days

Inbreeding reduces fertility

Crossbreeding improves fertility• 1.8% increase in pregnancy rate


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USA Bull Fertility EvaluationUSA Bull Fertility Evaluation

Measure of current semen fertility Based on 1.6 million inseminations

in last 3 years Estimated Relative Conception

Rate (ERCR) ranges +5% to –6%


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Bull Fertility ResearchBull Fertility ResearchKuhn, 2006Kuhn, 2006

Moved evaluation to USDA from DRMS in Raleigh, NC in 2006

Data from eastern half of United States

Planning to use all services and pregnancy exams

Bull fertility is not correlated to daughter fertility (heifers or cows)


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Why Does Fertility Differ?Why Does Fertility Differ?

Male fertility includes• Ability of sperm to fertilize egg• Bull’s environmental conditions

Female fertility includes• Ability to cycle and show estrus• Ability of egg to conceive• Maternal support of embryo• Milk production stress (cows only)


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Heifer Fertility ResearchHeifer Fertility ResearchKuhn et al, 2006 J Dairy Sci 89:4907Kuhn et al, 2006 J Dairy Sci 89:4907

Insemination records for 537,938 heifers in years 2003-2005

Average conception rate = 57%

Heritability = .5% (linear model), 1% (logistic model)

Genetic correlation = .39 with cow conception rate, -.19 with milk yield


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Heifer Fertility is GoodHeifer Fertility is Good

Paul VanRaden, 1995


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Problem: Cows Conceive LaterProblem: Cows Conceive LaterUSA Holsteins 1965-2000USA Holsteins 1965-2000

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Year

Day

s O

pen

5th

4th

3rd

2nd

1st

Lactation


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Pregnancy RatePregnancy Rate

The percentage of nonpregnant cows that become pregnant during each 21-day time period

Pregnancy rate < conception rate• Cows that are not cycling • Estrus not expressed or detected

Typical pregnancy rates• 20% if calving interval is 14.3 months• 25% if calving interval is 13.6 months


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Pregnancy Rate and Days OpenPregnancy Rate and Days Open

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

60 81 102 123 144 165 186 207 228 249

Number of Chances

Pre

gn

ancy

Rat

e

987654321

Days Open


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Breeding date: BSW HOL

Verified by next calving date 54 57

Disagrees with calving date 8 5

Breeding date but no next calf 15 19

No breeding reported, only next calf

9 6

Cow sold for infertility 5 5

No information for fertility 9 8

Sources of Fertility Data Sources of Fertility Data Percentages from 1998-1999 recordsPercentages from 1998-1999 records


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0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

51 -

70

71 -

90

91 -

110

111

- 130

131

- 150

151

- 170

171

- 190

191

- 210

211

- 230

231

- 249

Days Open

Lac

tati

on

s (t

ho

usa

nd

s)

≤

50≥ 250

Distribution of Days to ConceiveDistribution of Days to ConceiveHolstein Calvings 1990 - 2001Holstein Calvings 1990 - 2001

Cows culled for reproductive reasons


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Seasonal Effects on FertilitySeasonal Effects on FertilityHolsteins calving since 1997 in each USA regionHolsteins calving since 1997 in each USA region

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

Day

s O

pen

Midwest

Northeast

Northwest

Southeast

Southwest


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USA Cow Fertility EvaluationUSA Cow Fertility Evaluation

Holstein data in evaluation• 44 million lactation records since 1960• 17 million cows• Lactations 1-5 are included

Reliability for recently proven bulls • 59% REL for Daughter Pregnancy Rate• 61% REL for Productive Life• 69% REL for Somatic Cell Score• 85% REL for Milk Yield


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USA Evaluation MethodsUSA Evaluation Methods

Animal model, introduced in 2003• Use same programs as other USDA traits• Compare cows within herd, season, and

age• Convert to pregnancy rate (4 more days to

conceive = 1% lower pregnancy rate)

Fertility parameter estimates used:• Heritability = 4%• Repeatability = 11%• Sire-by-herd interaction = 4%


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Recent USA ChangesRecent USA ChangesNovember 2003 and November 2004November 2003 and November 2004

Earlier evaluation of cow fertility• Records in progress used at 130

instead of 250 days in milk• Pregnancy exams used in prediction• 6% gain in reliability of DPR for new

bulls

Fertility used to predict longevity• 4% gain in REL of PL for recent bulls


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All-Breed Animal ModelAll-Breed Animal Model

Combined analysis of all breeds

Data from crossbreds included

Genetic differences among breeds are estimated

Planning to implement in May 2007


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Genetic Trends for Each BreedGenetic Trends for Each Breed Daughter Pregnancy Rate, 1960-2000Daughter Pregnancy Rate, 1960-2000

-1012345678

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Birth Year

Bre

ed

ing

Va

lue Ayrshire

Brwn Sws

Guernsey

Holstein

Jersey

Mlk Shrtn

+1.8% Heterosis


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Correlation of Yield and Fertility Correlation of Yield and Fertility r = - .35r = - .35

-2000

-1500

-1000

-500

0

500

1000

1500

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6

PTA DPR

PT

A M

ilk (

kg

)


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Coefficients of Variation (CV)Coefficients of Variation (CV)Standard deviation divided by meanStandard deviation divided by mean

TraitHerit-ability

CV (%)Pheno- typic Genetic

Stature .42 3 2

Protein yield .30 13 7Longevity .08 54 16Fertility .04 65 13


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Value of Cow FertilityValue of Cow Fertility

Fertility expenses per day open• Heat detection ($20 / lact .005) = $.10• Semen ($15 / unit + $5 labor) *.025 = $.50• Pregnancy exam ($10 / exam)*.012 = $.12• Lactations too long or short = $.75

Value of DPR as % of total economic value• 9% in Lifetime Net Merit• 5% in TPI, also• -2% for dairy form in TPI


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Cow Fertility Trait Cow Fertility Trait HeritabilitiesHeritabilities and Genetic Correlations and Genetic Correlations

Trait Days Conc.

Days 1st

Cow CR

Heifer CR

Days to Conceive .04 .85 -.21

Days to 1st Service .07 .24

Cow Conc. Rate .01 .39

Heifer Conc. Rate .005

Heritabilities on diagonal


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InterbullInterbull

Provides international evaluations using data from 26 countries• Europe, North America, Australia,

New Zealand, S. Africa, Israel, Japan• No South American countries yet

Office located in Sweden

Many traits are evaluated


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Countries with Most HolsteinsCountries with Most Holsteinsand Interbull abbreviationsand Interbull abbreviations

Country Name

USA United States

DEU Germany

FRA France

NZL New Zealand

NLD Netherlands

CAN Canada

GBR Great Britain (U. Kingdom)


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Fertility Traits and EmphasisFertility Traits and Emphasis In Largest Holstein PopulationsIn Largest Holstein Populations

Trait Country USA DEU FRA NZL NLD CAN GBR

Emphasis (%) 9 1 13 7 10 5 7

Days to Conceive

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Days to first AI Yes Yes Yes Yes

Conception rate

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Heifer conception

Yes Yes


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Fertility Trait IndexesFertility Trait Indexes% of fertility emphasis% of fertility emphasis

Trait NLD ITA ESP CAN DNK1 USA2

Days to 1st service 54 56 52 25 15 69

Conception Rate 46 44 48 65 70 31

Heifer fertility 10 15

1Time from first to last insemination replaces non−return rate2Countries that evaluate days to conception or calving interval


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Countries with Days to ConceptionCountries with Days to Conceptionand Interbull abbreviationsand Interbull abbreviations

Country Name

BEL Belgium

DFS Denmark-Finland-Sweden

ESP Spain

GBR Great Britain (U. Kingdom)

IRL Ireland

ITA Italy

NLD Netherlands

USA United States


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Fertility Genetic Correlations Fertility Genetic Correlations Interbull test run, Sept. 2006Interbull test run, Sept. 2006

BEL DFS ESP GBR IRL ITA NLD USA

BEL .85 .94 .89 .86 .78 .86 .88

DFS .85 .84 .89 .73 .86 .91 .85

ESP .94 .84 .88 .81 .87 .86 .93

GBR .89 .89 .88 .82 .85 .86 .82

IRL .86 .73 .81 .82 .76 .75 .72

ITA .78 .86 .87 .85 .76 .84 .86

NLD .86 .91 .86 .86 .75 .84 .83

USA .88 .85 .93 .82 .72 .86 .83


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Correlation of NLD and USA Fertility Correlation of NLD and USA Fertility r = .91r = .91

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115

PTA DPR (NLD)

PT

A D

PR

(U

SA

)


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Genetic Correlations of Traits Genetic Correlations of Traits Mark, 2003 EAAP meetingMark, 2003 EAAP meeting

Trait Coun-tries

Average corr.

Protein 27 .87

Stature 21 .89

Fore Udder 21 .75

Somatic Cell Score 20 .85

Longevity 14 .59

Direct Calving Ease 10 .83

Maternal Calving Ease 10 .58


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Reporting of Daughter FertilityReporting of Daughter FertilityNational evaluation scalesNational evaluation scales

Scale Mean SD Scale Mean SD

BEL 0 4 GBR 0 3

CAN 66 3 ISR 0 2.5

CZE 0 3 IRL 0 2.5

DEU 100 12 ITA 100 5

DFS 100 10 NLD 100 4

ESP 100 10 NZL -8 4

FRA 0 1 USA 0 1.4


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Days to ConceptionDays to ConceptionCorrelations with other traitsCorrelations with other traits

MilkDairy Form SCS

Long-evity

DNK .31 .18 -.34

ESP .38 .36 .16 -.38

GBR .36 .40 .13 -.30

IRL .40 -.49

NLD .52 .43 .13 -.06

USA .21 .31 .12 -.48


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SkewnessSkewness

0

10

20

30

40

50

-4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Standard Deviation

Perc

enta

ge

Normal

Skew (0.5)


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Skewness of Fertility EvaluationsSkewness of Fertility Evaluationswithin each countrywithin each country

Heifer conception rate• Range -.23 to .11

Days to first insemination• Range .09 to .33

Cow conception rate• Range -.20 to .10

Calving interval, days open, or DPR• Range .04 to .35, skewness in USA = .04


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Skewness of FertilitySkewness of Fertility

Fertility trait data often have unusual distributions

Genetic evaluations are close to normally distributed

Standard linear models work well for large data sets


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Effects of SynchronizationEffects of Synchronization

Days to first insemination has less variation if herds synchronize heat

Sire rank for days to conception is similar in herds with heat detection or synchronization (Goodling et al, 2005 JDS)

DPR is adjusted for differences in herd variation


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Are Fertility Proofs Stable?Are Fertility Proofs Stable?

Bulls have about 100 daughters in first crop

Bulls later have thousands of daughters in second crop

How accurate are predictions?

Examined Select Sires bulls


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Top DPR Proof StabilityTop DPR Proof StabilitySelect Sires bulls born 1995-96, high reliability in 2006Select Sires bulls born 1995-96, high reliability in 2006

Bull 2003 2004 2006

Mozer +.5 +.8 +.6

Geno +.3 +.6 +.5

Beach +.2 +1.6 +1.4

Brass +.2 -.3 -.9

Alloy +.0 -.1 +1.2

Reliability 67% 82% 96%DPR adjusted to 2005 base


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Bottom DPR Proof StabilityBottom DPR Proof StabilitySelect Sires bulls born 1995-96, high reliability in 2006Select Sires bulls born 1995-96, high reliability in 2006

Bull 2003 2004 2006

Hi Metro -3.4 -3.0 -2.8

Hillcrest -2.6 -2.1 -3.1

Louie -2.4 -1.9 -1.6

Calvin -2.2 -1.9 -1.8

Sovereign-Red -2.0 -1.6 -1.6

Reliability 67% 82% 96%DPR adjusted to 2005 base


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Daughter Fertility of Active BullsDaughter Fertility of Active Bulls

+1.8% DPR average for top 10% –2.1% DPR average, bottom 10% Difference = 16 days to conception Reliability for bulls averages 63%


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Daughter Fertility of Famous BullsDaughter Fertility of Famous BullsNovember 2006 USA scaleNovember 2006 USA scale

Coun-tries

Daughters DPR

Total USA REL PTA

Die-Hard 11 25,256 15,160 99% 2.7

Duster 8 32,399 27,602 99% 2.2

Manfred 15 19,292 8,011 99% 2.0

Morty 13 20,481 4,177 97% -2.5

Demand 14 38,388 17,972 99% -2.2

Emerson 18 50,811 31,245 99% -2.2


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ConclusionsConclusions

Bulls with good fertility and daughter fertility are available

Cow fertility traits receive 1% to 13% of total selection in many countries

Select for fertility using an index Fertility traits have lower heritability but

more variation than yield and type Management and genetics affect fertility


7

Questions?Questions?

2007 paul vanraden animal improvement programs laboratory, usda agricultural research service,...

Documents

pregnancy rate slide

fertility environment

fertility crossbreeding

pregnancy exams bull

records slide

daughter fertility heifers

lactation slide

days open slide