Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Conformation Traits and Milk Production Traits in Chinese Holsteins

Simple Summary Genetic parameters can reflect some regulars of quantitative traits in the population, and the estimation of genetic parameters is very important for cow breeding. The conformation traits of dairy cows are closely related to their milk production and reproduction, which are among the most important traits in dairy breeding. At the same time, milk production of dairy cows has always been the focus of attention at the cattle farm. Studies have shown that there are genetic correlations between conformation traits and milk production traits. For example, taller cows produce more milk. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic correlations between conformation traits and milk production traits in Chinese Holstein dairy cows. In this study, we estimated the heritability of 23 conformation traits and five milk production traits and the genetic correlation between them using DMU software combined with single-trait and multiple-trait animal models. The heritability of conformation traits was medium in Holstein cows in Ningxia, China. In addition, there were positive genetic correlations between most conformation traits and milk production traits. Abstract The objective of this study was to explore the genetic parameters of conformation traits and milk production traits in Chinese Holstein cattle and to provide a reference for dairy cattle breeding. We collected the phenotypic data of 23 conformation traits and five milk production traits of Chinese Holsteins and used animal models to estimate the genetic parameters of conformation traits and milk production traits. The estimated heritability of conformation traits ranged from 0.11 (angularity) to 0.37 (heel depth) and the genetic correlation between conformation traits ranged from −0.73 (bone quality and rear leg-rear view) to 0.76 (chest width and loin strength). The heritability of milk production traits ranged from 0.23 (somatic cell score) to 0.50 (305-d milk yield). The estimated values of genetic correlation between conformation traits and milk production traits ranged from −0.56 (heel depth and 305-d milk yield) to 0.57 (udder texture and milk fat percentage). There was a positive genetic correlation between most conformation traits and milk fat percentage, but a weak negative genetic correlation with milk yield. Strengthening the moderately and highly heritable milk production and conformation traits, especially the selection of rear udder traits and body shape total score, will be beneficial in improving the performance of dairy cows.