Estimation of Heritability for Reproductive Traits and Newborn Mortality in Iraqi Buffaloes through the Relationship of Dams with Daughters AL-Khuzai Hamza M.1,*, AL-Dulaimi Makki K. H.2, Zaini Zaid E. H.1 1Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Iraq 2Technical College of AL-Mussaib, University of AL-Furat AL-Awsat, Iraq *Corresponding Author: Hamza M. AL-Khuzai, Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, University of Kufa, Iraq, Email: hamzabreeding_1970@yahoo.com
Online published on 13 November, 2019. Abstract Study was conducted in Um-Khashim region (middle of Iraq) during the year 2018 by using 360 local buffaloes (180 daughters and 180 dams) in different parity to determine the relationship of daughters performance with their dams for reproduction and newborn mortality. Regression coefficient was estimate by determine the daughters regression on their dams for number of insemination, abortion rate, dystocia and mortality rate at first three months after calving. Heritability was also calculated depending on regression coefficient. Results showed that vary heritability estimates of the traits that studded, the highest heritability of the insemination number was in the 1st parity (0.38) while the least heritability was in the 4th parity (0.07). Due to the abortion rate, the highest heritability was noticed in 4th parity (0.39) compared with the least heritability which noticed in 7th parity (0.12). Dystocia heritability estimate was 0.38 in the 2nd parity while decreased to reach to 0.07 in 6th parity. Heritability of mortality rate in 1st month after calving was also differed by parity, the highest estimation was noticed in 1st parity (0.42) and decreased gradually to reach 0.08 in 5th parity. Top Keywords Buffalo, heritability, reproduction performance. Top |