Estudo genético quantitativo de características de carcaça e perímetro escrotal utilizando inferência Bayesiana em novilhos Nelore

Abstract

The objective with this study was to evaluate the Gibbs Sampling (GS) method as a tool to estimate the components of (co) variance and genetic parameters for carcass and reproductive: Longissimus muscle area (AOL); fat thickness between the 12th and 13th ribs (EG); rump fat thickness (P8); and scrotal circumference (SC) in animals of the Nellore breed. The dataset contained 1.697 males, born from 2000 to 2003, sired by 74 different sires, and ranging in age from 15 to 19 months at the moment of the collection. The ultrasound images were collected between the 12th and 13th ribs (AOL and EG) and over the rump (P8) and, at this moment, SC was measured. The (co) variance components and genetic parameters were estimated using the GS method with the MTGSAM program. The heritability estimates were moderate to high: AOL (0.64); EG (0.41); P8 (0.65); and PE (0.61), in one single trait model analysis, and the values were similar in two trait model. Genetic correlation estimates between SC and the two traits fat thickness (EG and P8) were low. Genetic correlation estimates between SC and AOL was moderate to high (0.25). The GS method generated the posterior densities of (co)variance components and genetic parameters, being appropriate to be used in field data. The traits AOL and EG measured by ultrasound showed an amount of additive genetic variability enough to be recommend as selection criteria in genetic improvement programs.