Random regression test-day model for clinical mastitis Genetic parameters, model comparison, and correlations with indicator traits》.pdf

J. Dairy Sci. 97 :3953–3963 /10.3168/jds.2013-7830 © American Dairy Science Association® , 2014. Random regression test-day model for clinical mastitis: Genetic parameters, model comparison, and correlations with indicator traits E. Gernand* and S. König†1 *Thuringian State Institute of Agriculture, 07743 Jena, Germany †Department of Animal Breeding, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany ABSTRACT breeding values for CM from the RRM were compared with EBV from a multiple-trait model and with EBV The objective was to study genetic (co)variance com- from a repeatability model. For test days covering an ponents for binary clinical mastitis (CM), test-day pro- identical time span and on a lactation level, correla- tein yield, and udder health indicator traits [test-day tions between EBV from RRM, multiple-trait model, somatic cell score (SCS) and type traits of the udder and repeatability model were close to 1. Most relevant composite] in the course of lactation with random re- results suggest the routine application of threshold gression models (RRM). The study used a data set from RRM to binary CM to (1) allow selection of genetically selected 15 large-scale contract herds including 26,651 superior sires for distinct stages of lactation and (2) Holstein cows. Test-day production and CM data were achieve higher selection response in CM compared with recorded from 2007 to 2012 and comprised parities 1 to selection strategies based on indicator type traits or 3. A longitudinal CM data structure was generated by based on the indicator-trait SCS. assigning CM records to adjacent official test dates. Bi-