Estimation of Heritability Using Some Auxiliary Traits in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Retention of cow is an important character in dairy cattle which needs a thorough genetic analysis. Herdlife, which is influenced by production as well as other auxiliary characters, is another viewpoint of retention. It is seen that related characters, have a sizable effect on retention. Because of this reason, a complete theoretical expression which takes into account of these relationships for estimation of heritability of retention (herdlife), has been worked out. To validate the proposed theory, simulation has been used. It is seen that, adjustment or correction, which depends upon various parameters such as heritability, phenotypic correlation, genetic correlation etc., has a sizable effect on estimates of heritability of herdlife. Further relative absolute bias has also been studied and it is found that reduction in relative absolute bias is significant due to adjustment of herdlife for related auxiliary traits.