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Title: Multiple trait genomic evaluation of conception rate in Holsteins

Author
item AGUILAR, I - University Of Georgia
item MISZTAL, I - University Of Georgia
item TSURUTA, S - University Of Georgia
item Wiggans, George
item LAWLOR, T - Holstein Association Usa, Inc

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2011
Publication Date: 5/1/2011
Citation: Aguilar, I., Misztal, I., Tsuruta, S., Wiggans, G.R., Lawlor, T.J. 2011. Multiple trait genomic evaluation of conception rate in Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science. 94(5):2621-2624.

Interpretive Summary: The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a multiple trait single-step genomic evaluation for a lowly heritable trait such as the outcome of artificial insemination. Multiple trait genetic evaluation for conception rate using outcomes of all available inseminations is technically possible. Large improvement in accuracy is possible using the genomic information and computation with the single step approach is straightforward.

Technical Abstract: A national data set of artificial inseminations in US Holsteins was used to obtain genetic evaluations for conception rate (CR). This objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and resulting accuracy from using all available phenotypic, pedigree and genomic information. Evaluations were performed by regular BLUP or by BLUP with the traditional pedigree and genomic relationships combined in a unified single-step procedure (SSP). R2 obtained with the single-step approach were almost the double of those achieved with regular BLUP. Computing the single-step approach took 33% more time than with regular BLUP. Genetic parameters of CR in the first three parities were estimated with data from New York State only. Heritability estimates were around 2% and genetic correlations between CR in different parities was > 0.73. A multiple trait evaluation of conception rate using the SSP is both possible and advantageous.