Les nématodes gastro-intestinaux sont des parasites de la caillette des petits ruminants qui posent des contraintes majeures pour l’élevage de ces animaux dans le monde. Récemment leur impact économique a augmenté notamment à cause de l’apparition de nématodes résistants aux anthelminthiques. La sélection génétique pourrait être une stratégie complémentaire des traitements chimiques. Dans cette thèse, nous avons exploré la variabilité génétique disponible qui permettrait une sélection sur la résistance aux nématodes. Les résultats obtenus en termes d’héritabilités, corrélations génétiques et QTLs, suggèrent que la variation génétique des populations étudiées pourrait satisfaire les requis d’un objectif de sélection permettant à la fois d’améliorer la résistance aux nématodes et la croissance des animaux. En outre, l’identification de loci SNP associés à la variation observée sur les caractères de résistance aux nématodes pourrait nous permettre d’améliorer la réponse à la sélection. / Abomasal nematodes are a major constraint to small ruminants industry worldwide. Recently their economic impact has increased due to the recrudescence of anthelmintic resistance among many parasite populations. Genetic selection might be a valid strategy for enhancing the efficacy of anthelmintics. We explored the genetic variability, in both sheep and goat, possibly available for a breeding plan featuring parasite resistance as its breeding goal. The results obtained in terms of heritabilities, genetic correlations and QTLs, suggest that the variation in the genetic pool of the population under study might comply with the requirements of a breeding goal including both parasite resistance and production traits. Furthermore, marker assisted selection could be a feasible option to enhance the selection response.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estimar os parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos das características de qualidade de carne e de características de desempenho, carcaça e composição corporal em uma linhagem macho de frangos fornecida pela Agroceres Ross Melhoramento Genético de Aves S. A. As aves faziam parte do programa denominado sib test, ou teste de irmãos, aonde são coletadas informações de carcaça dos irmãos dos indivíduos a serem selecionados na referida linhagem, estes chamados de rebanho elite. As características de desempenho analisadas foram peso à seleção (PS), peso ao abate (PA) e medidas de ultra-sonografia de músculo peitoral (US). As características de carcaça analisadas foram o peso de peito (PPEI), o peso eviscerado (PE) e o peso de pernas (PPER) e as características de composição corporal analisadas foram o peso da gordura abdominal (GOR), o peso do fígado (FIG) e o peso do coração (COR). As características de qualidade de carne analisadas foram: medida de pH inicial (pHi), medida de pH em 6 horas após o abate (pH6), medida de pH final (pHf), amplitude inicial de queda de pH (AMi), amplitude final de queda de pH (AMf), teor de luminosidade (L*), teor de vermelho (a*), teor de amarelo (b*), perdas de água por exsudação (EXSU), perdas de água por descongelamento (CONG), perdas de água por cozimento (COZ) e força de cisalhamento (FC). Os componentes de (co) variância foram estimados por verossimilhança restrita, utilizando-se o programa MTDFREML. A matriz de parentesco foi composta por 107.154 animais. Para as características pH6, pHf e L* foram estimados coeficientes de herdabilidade moderados; para as demais características estes coeficientes foram baixos. As estimativas de correlações genéticas obtidas não foram indicativas de associações importantes entre as características de qualidade de carne e as características de desempenho, carcaça e composição corporal, exceto pela seleção a favor de PS, que pode reduzir as perdas de água da carne. As estimativas de correlações genéticas encontradas entre as características de qualidade de carne puderam contribuir para o entendimento dos mecanismos relacionados à qualidade da carne na linhagem analisada, de modo que CONG, FC e L* foram características capazes de trazer respostas correlacionadas favoráveis às demais e em maior ou menor grau apresentarem capacidade de resposta à seleção, recomendando-se sua utilização como critério de seleção quando na existência de necessidade de melhoria na qualidade da carne na linhagem estudada. Contudo, esta necessidade não foi aparente, uma vez que as tendências genéticas das características de qualidade de carne, além de terem sido de pequena magnitude, foram em sua maioria favoráveis à qualidade da carne da linhagem analisada. / This research was conducted to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters of meat quality, performance, carcass and body composition traits in a male broiler line provided by Agroceres Ross Melhoramento Genético de Aves S. A. Broilers measured belonged to a sib test program, in which data from sibs of the individuals to be selected in this line, called elite flock, are collected. Performance traits analyzed were body weight at selection (PS), body weight at slaughter (PA) and ultrasound records of pectoral muscle (US). Carcass traits analyzed were meat breast weight (PPEI), eviscerated body weight (PE) and leg weight (PPER) and the body composition traits analyzed were abdominal fat weight (GOR), liver weight (FIG) and heart weight (COR). Meat quality traits analyzed were: initial pH measure (pHi), pH measure at 6 hours after slaughter (pH6), final pH measure (pHf), initial range of pH fall (AMi), final range of pH fall (AMf), lightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*), weep losses (EXSU), drip losses (CONG), shrink losses (COZ) and shear force (FC). (Co) variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood method, using the software MTDFREML. The numerator relationship matrix was composed by 107.154 individuals. For pH6, pHf and L*, moderate heritability coefficients were estimated; for the other traits these coefficients were low. Genetic correlation estimates obtained indicated a small association among meat quality traits and performance, carcass and body composition traits, except for the selection to PS, which seemed to be able to reduce water losses of meat. Genetic correlations estimates among meat quality traits could orientated the understanding of the mechanisms related to meat quality in the analyzed line; CONG, FC and L* seemed to be able to bring favorable correlationed responses, so it was recommended its use as selection criterion if existing the necessity of improving the meat quality in the analyzed line. However, this necessity was not apparent, since the genetic trends of meat quality traits were small and favorable to meat quality in the analyzed broiler line.

Foram utilizados 263.390 registros de produção de leite do dia do controle (PDC) de 32.448 primeiras lactações de vacas da raça Holandesa obtidas no período de 1991 a 2001 para estimar componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos, usando diferentes modelos estatísticos e a metodologia REML. Compararam-se as estimativas de valores genético (EVG) dos modelos de repetibilidade (MR) e de regressão aleatória (MRA) com às do modelo para as produções da lactação (P305). Nos MRA utilizaram-se duas curvas para descrever a trajetória da lactação: a polinomial logarítmica de Ali e Schaeffer (AS) e a exponencial de Wilmink (W), sob duas formas: a padrão e com uma modificação para reduzir a amplitude das covariáveis e contornar problemas de convergência (W Ú ). No ajuste da curva AS considerou-se heterogeneidade de variâncias residuais (VR) entre classes de dias em lactação (cDEL). A estimativa de herdabilidade para as P305 (0,27) foi menor do que àquelas para as PDC obtidas com MR, incluindo ou não a curva AS como sub modelo (0,30 e 0,43, repectivamente). As herdabilidades para as PDC por análises uni-caráter (0,22-0,36) e bi-caráter (0,23-0,33) foram menores no início e fim da lactação. As correlações genéticas entre produções de controles consecutivos foram superiores às estimadas entre controles do ínicio e do fim da lactação. As estimativas de herdabilidade por MRA com as curva AS (0,29-0,42) e W Ú (0,33-0,40) foram semelhantes, mas aquelas estimadas com a curva W (0,25-0,65) foram maiores do que as estimadas com as outras curvas pricipalmente no fim da lactação. Com os MRA as correlações genéticas foram próximas da unidade entre produções de controles consecutivos, mas reduziram com o aumento do intervalo entre controles. As estimativas de VR entre cDEL foram muito semelhantes variando de 4,15 a 5,11 para a curvas AS. Os desvios padrão (DP) para as EVG para produção de leite dos touros foram semelhantes entre os modelos AS, W Ú e MR. Entretando, os DP para as EVG foram maiores nos modelos para PDC do que no modelo a P305. As correlações entre as EVG para touros com o modelo P305 e os demais modelos aumentaram com o aumento no número de filhas e variaram de 0,66 (P305-W) a 0,92 (P305-AS e P305- W Ú ). As estimativas de tendência genética foram maiores para os MRA e menores para o MR se comparadas à estimativa obtida pelo modelo para P305. As estimativas de herdabilidade superiores para as PDC e as altas correlações (0,86-0,99) entre estas e a P305 indicam um potêncial de uso das PDC nas avaliações genéticas. Correlações genéticas heterogêneas (0,64-1,00) entre as PDC, medidas ao longo da lactação, não confimam a suposição de que elas são medidas repetidas do mesmo caráter. O MRA com a curva AS e VR homogênea foi o de melhor ajuste entre os avaliados, mas o modelo W Ú resultou em estimativas de herdabilidade mais estáveis ao longo da lactação. Na comparação dos resultados dos modelos conclui-se que o MRA com a curva AS e homonogeneidade de VR é a melhor alternativa, dentre as estudadas, para avaliação genética para produção de leite de gado Holandês no Brasil. / Covariance components and genetic parameters for milk yield from 263,390 test-day records of 32,448 first lactation Holstein cows were estimated using animal models by REML. Test-day repeatability (RM) and random regression (RR) models were compared to a 305-d lactation model (P305) to estimate breeding values. Random regression involved the five-parameter logarithmic Ali and Schaeffer function (AS) and the three-parameter exponential Wilmink function in standard (W) and modified (W*, to reduce the range of covariates and avoid convergence problems) form to model the shape of the lactation curve. Heterogeneous error variance (EV) for classes of days in milk (cDIM) was considered in adjusting the AS function. Heritability for milk yield by P305 (0.27) was smaller than those estimated for daily milk yield by RM including or not including a logarithmic sub-model (0.30 and 0.43, respectively). Heritability estimates for univariate (0.22-0.36) and bivariate models (0.23-0.33) for test-day milk yields were smallest during early and late lactation. Genetic correlations were higher for daily milk yield between consecutive test-days than between test-days at the beginning and end of lactation. Heritability estimates for AS (0.29-0.42) and W* (0.33-0.40) RR models were similar, but heritability estimates obtained for W (0.25-0.65) were higher than those estimated by other functions, particularly at the end of lactation. Genetic correlations between daily milk yield on consecutive test-days were close to unity, but they decreased with an increase of the interval between test-days. Estimates of EV for cDIM were quite similar, rating from 4.15 to 5.11 for the AS function. Standard deviations (SD) of bulls’s EBVs for milk yield were similar for AS, W* models and RM. However, SD of EBVs for bulls and cows were larger for test-day models than for P305 and for bulls they differed by -33.64 to 321.95 from the P305 depending on progeny number. SD of EBVs for bulls and cows for the W model were the largest ones. Correlation between EBVs among P305 and the other models for bulls increased as progeny number increased and ranged from 0.66 (W-P305) to 0.92 (AS-P305, W*-P305). Genetic trends were larger for RR models and smaller for RM than for P305. Larger heritability estimates for test-day models and large genetic correlations between test-day and lactation milk yields (0.86-0.99) indicated a potential use of test-day records in genetic evaluations. Heterogeneous genetic correlations (0.64-1.00) for test-day milk yields across lactation did not support the assumption that test-day records are repeated measures of the same trait. The AS homogeneous EV model was the most parsimonious and the best fit among those evaluated, but the W* model resulted in more stable heritability estimates for daily milk yield across lactation. RR models provide more information than the RM and describe the shape of the lactation curve from which EBVs for persistency can be derived. These results indicated AS as an alternative model for genetic evaluation for milk yield using test-day records of Holstein cattle in Brazil.

Orientador: Ana Carolina de Souza Chagas / Resumo: Nematódeos gastrintestinais são um grande obstáculo na produção de ovinos. A seleção para resistência tem sido uma abordagem eficiente e factível para lidar com esse problema. A utilização e investigação de marcadores genéticos para características de resistência poderiam acelerar o melhoramento genético e levar ao melhor entendimento dos mecanismos moleculares de resistência. O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a possibilidade de seleção para características de resistência e resiliência em cordeiros da raça Morada Nova, estimar as potenciais respostas correlacionadas e avaliar se cinco polimorfismos de base única (SNPs, OAR2_14765360, OAR6_81718546, OAR11_62887032, OAR12_69606944 and OAR15_59871543) estão associados às características de resistência e resiliência. Um total de 287 cordeiros e 131 matrizes foram submetidas a dois desafios parasitários consecutivos e independentes por infecção oral com 4.000 larvas infectantes (L3) de Haemonchus contortus. Contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), volume globular (VG) e peso corporal vivo (PV) foram monitorados a cada uma ou duas semanas para 42 dias em cada desafio. Amostras de DNA de 287 cordeiros, 131 matrizes e 4 reprodutores machos foram amplificados por ARMS-PCR ou PCR-RFLP e os genótipos foram determinados. Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos foram obtidas para dias individuais de coleta, e para a característica como um todo com medidas repetidas, utilizando modelos animais mistos. A análise de variância (ANOVA) foi u... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematodes are a major constraint in sheep production. Breeding for resistance has proven to be an effective and feasible approach to address this problem. The use and investigation of genetic markers for resistance traits could accelerate genetic progress and lead to a better understanding of underlying molecular mechanisms. The aim of this study was to verify the possibility of selection for resistance and resilience traits in Morada Nova lambs, to estimate potential correlated responses and to evaluate if five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (OAR2_14765360, OAR6_81718546, OAR11_62887032, OAR12_69606944 and OAR15_59871543) are associated with resistance and resilience traits. A total of 287 lambs and 131 ewes were submitted to two consecutive independent parasite challenges by oral infection with 4,000 infective larvae (L3) of Haemonchus contortus. Faecal egg counts (FEC), packed cell volume (PVC) and body weight were measured every one or two weeks for 42 days in each trial. DNA samples from 287 lambs, 131 ewes and 4 rams were amplified by ARMS-PCR or PCR-RFLP and genotypes were determined. Estimates of genetic parameters were obtained for individual records as well as for overall traits with repeated measures, using mixed animal models. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for association analyses between SNP genotypes and phenotypes. In case of significant association, the allele substitution effect was calculated based on a linear model. Heritabi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Thesis (M.Sc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Initial analysis was conducted to test significance of dam parity, litter size, birth season, birth year, kidding season and kidding age on lactation milking performance of various milk production traits and components, as well as to calculate phenotypic correlation between dam kidding age and these traits. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out using 16 407 non-pedigreed lactation records to test for non-genetic significant effects, while Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated using Minitab software. The second analysis included 2 960 fully pedigreed lactation records that were analysed to estimate (co) variance components and direct heritability values for milk production and component traits applying uni-variate linear analysis, as well as genetic and phenotypic correlations between them using bi-variate linear analysis. Both analyses used secondary data of all grade and registered Saanen goats participating in the official Milk Recording and Performance Testing Scheme of the Animal Improvement Institute of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa. From ANOVA, dam parity and year of birth significantly influenced (p < 0.05) all traits investigated, with better lactation milking performances estimated in 3rd parity groups and animals born during recent years respectively. Birth season only affected (p < 0.05) MY, urea and NR with animals born during spring season yielding a better lactation milking performance. Kidding season influenced (p < 0.05) all traits except PY and urea, with highest lactation milking performance estimated in animals kidding during spring season. All traits except FY and PY were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by litter size, with multiple litter kidding groups yielding highest, while kidding age effects were not significant (p > 0.05) on NR, SCCI and urea. Pearson’s correlation estimations showed negative associations between kidding age (rp = -0.30, -0.004, - 0.057, -0.051, -0.015, -0.265 and -0.271 for urea, MY, FY, PY, LY, NR and P respectively) except for SCCI (rp= 0.189). From uni-variate and bi-variate linear analyses, direct heritability estimates ranged from moderate to high (h2 = 0.42 ± 0.03, 0.38 ± 0.03, 0.39 ± 0.03, 0.22 ± 0.03, 0.40 ± 0.03, 0.38 ± 0.03, 0.28 ± 0.05 and 0.20 ± 0.03 for MY, FY, PY, LY, Urea, NR, P and SCCI respectively), with MY having highest value. Genetic correlation estimates between MY and traits such as FY, PY, urea, NR and P were all high and positive indicating favorable correlated responses (rg =0.97, 0.94, 0.95, 0.99 and 0.74 respectively). Furthermore, phenotypic correlation estimates between MY and these traits except P (rp = 0.33) were close to their respective genetic xv correlation values (rp=0.95, 0.91, 0.92 and 0.92 for FY, PY, urea and NR respectively). Genetic correlation between MY and LY, and between MY and SCCI were not significant (p > 0.05), while phenotypic correlations between MY and these traits were significant (p <0.05), positive and low (rp=0.03 and 0.02 for LY and SCCI respectively). It was concluded that non-genetic factors determine to what extent the genetic potential of an animal is expressed thus, their inclusion in genetic evaluation models is crucial. Selecting for increased MY would increase herd lactation NR and improve lactation milking performance of other traits such as FY, PY and P. Selection against SCCI needs to be applied more in the population to avoid losses attributed to intra mammary infections / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research conducted on beef cattle in Botswana investigated both growth and reproduction. These studies however, did not specifically determine the influence of the different environmental factors on growth in the Tswana and Composite beef cattle breeds. The establishment of a national beef herd recording and performance testing scheme requires knowledge on the appropriate adjustment methods of field data for the fixed effects such as sex of calf and age of dam. A fair comparison of birth and weaning weights between male and female calves, and calves born from young, mature and old dams will be derived from these adjustment factors. There is no information on adjustment factors for the Tswana and Composite cattle breeds in the country. Genetic parameters for growth traits in these breeds are not known and are needed for the implementation of the performance scheme in Botswana. The Composite breed resulted from a controlled crossbreeding programme using the Simmental, Brahman, Tswana, Tuli and the Bonsmara breeds. The Tswana animals are indigenous to the country and were sourced locally at the beginning of the growth evaluation trial in the two breeds. The objectives of the study were to use data collected from Tswana and Composite cattle breeds to estimate the influence of non-genetic factors on growth traits in the two breeds; to develop adjustment factors for the effects of sex of calf and age of dam; and to estimate genetic parameters (heritabilities and genetic correlations) for future genetic evaluations in both breeds. Data were collected over the period 1988 to 2006. A total of 2 257 records for the Composite breed and 5 923 records for the Tswana breed were available for analyses. Growth characteristics of interest in this study were birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG1), 18 months weight (18MW) and post-weaning average daily gain (ADG2). Study 1 indicated that non-genetic effects of breed of calf, sex of calf, month and year of birth, previous parous state, weight of cow at parturition, age of dam, and age of calf at weaning significantly affected BW, WW, 18MW, ADG1 and ADG2 in both breeds. The Composite breed had higher BW, ADG1 and WW whereas the Tswana had higher ADG2 and 18MW. Pre-weaning growth rate increased with an increase in the age of the dam, reaching a peak in mature (5-12 years) cows and declined in cows 13 years and older. Conversely, post-weaning growth rates declined as age of dam advanced but increased in old (13 years and older) dams. Male calves were heavier than female calves for all the growth traits. Birth weight increased as calving season progressed whilst a decrease in WW was observed over the same period. Heifers gave birth to lighter calves when compared to mature multiparous dams. The Composite breed can therefore be considered for weaner production under ranch conditions while the Tswana can be reared under extensive systems due to its adaptability to the environment. Additive correction factors for effects of sex of calf and age of dam on BW and WW were studied separately for the Tswana and Composite in study 2. The least squares means procedure was used to derive age groups and the adjustment factors. The three age groups were young (4 years and below) dams, mature (5-12 years) dams and older (13 years and above) dams. Male calves were heavier than their female counterparts. The sex of calf adjustments for BW and WW were 2.75 and 8.21 kg in the Tswana, and corresponding values for the Composite 2.84 and 10.11 kg, respectively. Birth weight and WW increased as age of dam increased, reached maximum in mature dams and declined in older dams. Age of dam adjustment factors for BW in the 3, 4 and 13+ years age groups for the Tswana were 1.74, 0.96 and 1.87 kg, respectively. The corresponding values for the Composite were 2.28, 0.94 and 2.06 kg, respectively. Age of dam adjustment factors for weaning weight in the Tswana were 10.36 and 5.46 kg for age groups 3-4 and 13+ years, respectively. Adjustment factors for WW in the Composite were 13.84, 3.20 and 9.58 kg for age groups 3, 4 and 13+ years. The differences in adjustment factors obtained between the two breeds emphasize the need to compute and apply these factors within breed. Study 3 involved the estimation of genetic parameters for BW, WW, ADG1, 18MW and ADG2. Single-trait and multi-trait analyses were used in the estimation of (co)variance components by fitting an individual animal model (AM) and the animal maternal model (AMM) for the two breeds. Direct heritabilities for BW, WW, ADG1, 18MW and ADG2 in the Tswana were 0.45, 0.32, 0.37, 0.31 and 0.31, respectively from a single-trait AM analysis. Fitting the AMM resulted in direct heritabilities of 0.31, 0.20 and 0.16 for BW, WW and ADG1, respectively, while the maternal heritabilities were 0.11, 0.15 and 0.21, respectively. For the Composite the direct heritabilities for BW, WW and ADG1 were 0.58, 0.32 and 0.30, respectively with single-trait AM. Partitioning using the AMM resulted in the direct heritabilities for BW, WW and ADG1 of 0.55, 0.17 and 0.14, respectively, while corresponding maternal effects were 0.09, 0.15 and 0.15, respectively. The genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were positive and ranged from 0.20 to 0.89. When using the multi-trait analysis and fitting the AM, the direct heritabilities for the Tswana were 0.45, 0.37, 0.34, 0.39 and 0.31 for BW, WW, ADG1, 18MW and ADG2, respectively. Genetic correlations between the growth traits ranged from 0.16 to 0.97. Direct (and maternal) heritabilities for BW, WW and ADG1 were 0.31(0.11), 0.19(0.15) and 0.14(0.17), respectively, in the Tswana. Correlations between direct heritabilities for BW, WW and ADG1 ranged from 0.45 to 0.95, while maternal effects ranged from 0.12 to 0.99. The magnitude of the heritabilities indicates an existence of the opportunity to make genetic progress through selection in both breeds. Selection based on WW seems to be the ideal procedure to bring genetic improvement in the Tswana without detrimental long term effects. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing wat op die vleisbeesrasse in Botswana gedoen is, het hoofsaaklik op beide groei en reproduksie gehandel. Hierdie studies het egter nie spesifieke gefokus op die bepaling van die invloed wat verskillende omgewingsfaktore op die groei van saamgestelde (d.i. Composite) en die Tswana vleisbeesrasse het nie. Die bepaling van ʼn nasionale vleisbees rekordhouding- en prestasietoetsskema verg kennis van die mees gepaste metode om velddata vir vaste effekte soos geslag van die kalf en ouderdom van die moeder aan te pas. Hierdie aanpassingsmetodes sal lei tot die regverdige vergelyking van geboorte- en speengewigte tussen manlike en vroulike diere, sowel as van kalwers gebore van jong, volwasse of ou moeders. Tans is daar geen inligting oor aanpassingfaktore vir die Tswana en saamgestelde vleisbeesrasse in Botswana bekend nie. Geen genetiese parameters vir groei-eienskappe vir geeneen van die rasse is beskikbaar nie en word benodig vir die implementering van die prestasie skema in Botswana. Die saamgestelde ras is die produk van ʼn beheerde kruisteeltprogram, wat onderskeidelik die Simmental, Brahman, Tswana, Tuli en die Bonsmara beesrasse ingesluit het. Die Tswana ras is inheems aan Botswana en vanaf plaaslike bronne vir die groei evaluasie studie bekom. Die doelwitte van die studie was eerstens die analisering van data wat van beide die Tswana en saamgestelde rasse ingesamel is, om die invloed van nie-genetiese faktore op die groei eienskappe te bepaal om ten einde aanpassingsfaktore vir die effek van geslag van die kalf en ouderdom van die moederdier te ontwikkel. ʼn Tweede doelwit was die bepaling van genetiese parameters (oorerflikhede en genetiese korrelasies) vir die gebruik in toekomstige genetiese evaluering van beide rasse. Data is vanaf 1988 tot 2006 ingesamel. ʼn Totaal van 2 257 waarnemings vir die saamgestelde ras en 5 923 waarnemings vir die Tswana ras is ontleed. Groei eienskappe wat in die studie ondersoek is, het geboortegewig (BW), speengewig (WW), voorspeen gemiddelde daaglikse toename (ADG1), 18-maand gewig (18MW) en naspeense gemiddelde daaglikse toename (ADG2) ingesluit. Studie een het aangedui dat nie-genetiese effekte van die ras van die kalf, die geslag van die kalf, maand en jaar van geboorte, vorige dragtigheidsstatus, koei se gewig met geboorte van kalf, ouderdom van die moederdier en die speenouderdom van die kalf het ʼn betekenisvolle invloed op BW, WW, 18MW, ADG1 en ADG2 van beide rasse gehad. Die saamgestelde ras het hoër waardes vir BW, ADG1 en WW gehad, terwyl die Tswana ras hoër waardes vir ADG2 en 18MW geopenbaar het. Voorspeense groeitempo het toegeneem met ʼn toename in die ouderdom van die moederdier, met ʼn piek in volwasse (d.i. 5-12 jaar ouderdom) moeders en ʼn afname in koeie 13 jaar en ouer. Omgekeerd het naspeen groeitempo afgeneem met ʼn toename in die ouderdom van die moederdier en weer begin toeneem vir ou (d.i. 13 jaar en ouer) koeie. Geboortegewig het toegeneem met die verloop van die kalfseisoen, terwyl ʼn afname in WW vir dieselfde periode aangeteken is. Verse het, wanneer hulle met volwasse koeie vergelyk is, het geboorte aan ligter kalwers gegee. Die saamgestelde ras kan dus oorweeg word vir die produksie van speenkalwers onder kommersiële intensiewe toestande, terwyl die Tswana ras, op grond van sy beter aanpassing by ekstensiewe omstandighede waar die moederlike invloed nie voorkom nie, vir produksie onder ekstensiewe omstandighede gebruik kan word. In studie 2 is die additiewe korreksie faktore vir die invloed van geslag van die kalf en moederouderdom op BW en WW apart vir die twee rasse bestudeer. Die geslag van die kalf x ouderdom van die moederdier interaksie was nie betekenisvol vir enige van die rasse nie. Dus kan geen aanpassing vir die ouderdom van die moeder binne geslagte vir enige van die twee rasse gemaak word nie. Die kleinste kwadraat gemiddeldes metode is gebruik om die ouderdomsgroepe en aanpassingsfaktore te bepaal. Die drie ouderdomsgroepe was jong (d.i. 4 jaar en jonger) koeie, volwasse (d.i. 5-12 jaar ouderdom) en ouer (d.i. 13 jaar en ouer) koeie. Daar is gevind dat manlike kalwers swaarders as hulle vroulike eweknieë is. Die aanpassingswaarde vir die geslag van die kalf vir BW en WW was 2.75 kg en 8.21 kg in die Tswana en 2.84 kg en 10.11kg vir die saamgestelde ras. Geboortegewig en WW het toegeneem met ʼn toename in die ouderdom van die moeder. Dit het ʼn maksimum bereik in volwasse koeie en afgeneem vir koeie ouer as 13 jaar. Die aanpassingsfaktore vir die ouderdom van die moederdier vir BW in die 3, 4 and 13+ jarige ouderdomsgroepe vir die Tswana ras was onderskeidelik 1.74 kg, 0.96 kg en 1.87 kg. Die ooreenstemmende waardes vir die saamgestelde ras was onderskeidelik 2.28 kg, 0.94 kg en 2.06 kg. Aanpassingsfaktore vir WW vir die Tswana ras was 10.36 kg en 5.46 kg vir onderskeidelik die 3-4 jaar en 13+ jaar en ouer ouderdomsgroepe. Aanpassingsfaktore vir WW in die Composite ras was 13.84 kg, 3.20 kg en 9.58 kg vir onderskeidelik die 3 jaar, 4 jaar en 13 jaar en ouer ouderdomsgroepe. Verskille in die onderskeie parameters vir die twee rasse beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid vir die berekening en toepassing van die onderskeie aanpassingfaktore vir en binne elke ras. Studie 3 het die bepaling van die genetiese parameters vir BW, WW, ADG1, 18MW en ADG2 behels. Enkel- en multivariaat analises is gebruik vir die skatting van die (ko)variansie komponente deur ʼn direkte diermodel (AM) en ʼn dier-maternale model (AMM) vir die twee rasse te pas. Direkte oorerflikhede vir BW, WW, ADG1, 18MW en ADG2 vir die Tswana ras was onderskeidelik 0.45, 0.32, 0.37, 0.31 en 0.31, vir ʼn enkelvariaat AM analise. Die pas van ʼn AMM het direkte oorerflikhede van 0.31, 0.20 en 0.16 vir onderskeidelik BW, WW and ADG1 gegee, terwyl die maternale oorerflikhede onderskeidelik 0.11, 0.15 en 0.21 was. Vir die saamgestelde ras was die direkte oorerflikhede vir BW, WW en ADG1 onderskeidelik 0.58, 0.32 en 0.30 vir die enkelvariaat AM analise. Verdeling (partisie) van die AMM het direkte oorerflikhede vir BW, WW en ADG1 van onderskeidelik 0.55, 0.17 en 0.14 gegee, terwyl die ooreenstemmende maternale effekte onderskeidelik 0.09, 0.15 en 0.15 was. Die genetiese korrelasies tussen die drekte en maternale effekte was positief en tussen 0.20 en 0.89. Met die multivariaat analise en die pas van die AM, is direkte oorerflikhede van 0.45, 0.37, 0.34, 0.39 en 0.31 vir onderskeidelik BW, WW, ADG1, 18MW en ADG2, vir die Tswana ras bereken. Genetiese korrelasies tussen die groei eienskappe het gewissel tussen 0.16 tot 0.97. Direkte (en maternale) oorerflikhede vir BW, WW en ADG1 was onderskeidelik 0.31(0.11), 0.19(0.15) en 0.14(0.17), vir die Tswana ras. Korrelasies tussen die direkte oorerflikhede vir BW, WW en ADG1 het gewissel tussen 0.45 en 0.95, terwyl die maternale effekte tussen 0.12 en 0.99 gewissel het. Die grootte van die oorerflikhede dui op die moontlikheid van genetiese vordering wat deur seleksie in beide rasse gemaak kan word. Seleksie op grond van WW blyk die mees gepaste wyse te wees waarmee genetiese vordering binne die Tswana ras gemaak kan word, sonder enige langtermyn nadelige effekte.

A series of studies are presented on the genetic evaluation of cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to improve the accuracy and efficiency of selection at various stages of a breeding programme. The central theme was the use of correlated data, such as relationship information and spatial and across-trial correlations, within a linear mixed modelling framework to enhance the evaluation of candidate genotypes and to improve the genetic response to selection. Analyses focused on several social and economically-important traits for the enhancement of the nutritional value, disease resistance and yield of potato tubers. At the formative stages of a breeding scheme, devising a breeding strategy requires an improved understanding of the genetic control of target traits for selection. To guide a strategy that aims to enhance the micronutrient content of potato tubers (biofortification), univariate and multivariate Bayesian models were developed to estimate genetic parameters for micronutrient tuber content from a breeding population generated from crosses between Andean landrace cultivars. The importance of the additive genetic components and extent of the narrow-sense heritability estimates indicated that genotypic 'individual' recurrent selection based on empirical breeding values rather than family-based selection is likely to be the most effective strategy in this breeding population. The magnitude of genetic correlations also indicated that simultaneous increases in important tuber minerals, iron and zinc, could be achieved. Optimising selection efficiency is an important ambition of plant breeding programmes. Reducing the level of candidate replication in field trials may, under certain circumstances, contribute to this aim. Empirical field data and computer simulations inferred that improved rates of genetic gain with p-rep (partially replicated) testing could be obtained compared with testing in fully replicated trials at the early selection stages, particularly when testing over two locations. P-rep testing was able to increase the intensity of selection and the distribution of candidate entries across locations to account for G×E effects was possible at an earlier stage than is currently practised. On the basis of these results, it was recommended that the full replication of trials (at the first opportunity, when enough planting material is available) at a single location in the early stages of selection should be replaced with the partial replication of selection candidates that are distributed over two locations. Genetic evaluation aims to identify genotypes with high empirical breeding values (EBVs) for selection as parents. Using mixed models, spatial parameters to target greater control of localised field heterogeneity were estimated and variance models to account for across-trial genetic heterogeneity were tested for the evaluation of soil-borne powdery scab disease and tuber yield traits at the early stages of a selection programme. When spatial effects improved model fit, spatial correlations for rows and columns were mostly small for powdery scab, and often small and negative for marketable and total tuber yield suggesting the presence of interplot competition in some years for tuber yield traits. For the evaluation of powdery scab, genetic variance structures were tested using data from 12 years of long-term potato breeding METs (multi-environment trials). A simple homogeneous correlation model for the genetic effects was preferred over a more complex factor analytic (FA) model. Similarly, for the MET evaluation of tuber yield at the early stages, there was little benefit in using more complex FA models, with simple correlation structures generally the most favourable models fitted. The use of less complex models will be more straightforward for routine implementation of potato genetic evaluations in breeding programmes. Evaluations for (marketable) tuber yield were extended to multi-location MET data to characterise both genotypes and environments, allowing a re-evaluation of New Zealand MET selection strategies aimed at broad adaptation. Using a factor analytic mixed model, results indicated that the programme’s two main trial locations in the North and the South Islands optimised differentiation between genotypes in terms of G×E effects. There was reasonable performance stability of genotypes across test locations and evidence was presented for some, but limited, genetic progress of cultivars and advanced clonal selections for tuber marketable yield in New Zealand over recent years. The models and selection strategies investigated and developed in this thesis will allow an improved and more systematic application of genetic evaluations in potato selection schemes. This will provide the basis for well informed decisions to be made on selection candidates for the genetic improvement of potato in breeding programmes.

Foram utilizados arquivos com 104.101, 55.063 e 60.782 registros de pesos corporais, do nascimento aos 630 de idades, de bovinos da raça Guzerá, da Associação Brasileira dos Criadores de Zebu (ABCZ), referentes ao período de 1975 a 2001, para estimar componentes de (co)variância e parâmetros genéticos, de acordo com três abordagens de análise, cada uma com um arquivo, utilizando diferentes modelos estatísticos e a metodologia REML. Nestas abordagens foram obtidos valores das estimativas de variância e parâmetros genéticos de modelos unicaracterísticos; modelos uni e bicaracterísticos e, de modelos de regressão aleatória (MRA), respectivamente. Na primeira, com quatro modelos unicaraterísticos, observou-se que o modelo 1, considerado completo, por incluir os efeitos genéticos direto e materno (GM) e os efeitos de ambiente permanente materno e residual, não diferiu significativamente (P<0,05), pelo teste razão de verossimilhança do modelo 2, que exclui o GM. As herdabilidades diretas (h2) estimadas nos modelos 1 e 2, foram muito semelhantes. Os valores de h2 cresceram da primeira idade até a segunda idade, mantiveram os valores até o desmame e depois cresceram. As estimativas de variância genética materna foram baixas, principalmente antes da desmama. Na segunda usando diferentes modelos uni e bicaracterísticos, o comportamento das estimativas foi semelhante à primeira abordagem. Os valores de h2 das análises uni e bicaracterísticas, para os pesos ajustados às idades padrão de 120(P120), 205(P205), 365(P365) e 550(P550) dias de idades foram 0,15; 0,10; 0,17; 0,14 e 0,14; 0,10; 0,16; 0,15, respectivamente. As correlações genéticas diretas (ra) semelhantes nos modelos 1 e 2 para P120/P205, P120/P365, P120P550, P205/P365, P205/P550 e P365/P550 foram 0,80; 0,54; 0,54; 0,74; 0,62 e 0,95 e, 0,80; 0,54; 0,53; 0,74; 0,62 e 0,95 respectivamente. Na comparação entre os modelos 1 e 2, das análises uni e bicaracterísticas, o modelo 2, que exclui GM, proporcionou ajuste similar ao modelo 1. Na análise de regressão aleatória foram testados dez modelos com diferentes estruturas de variâncias residuais e combinações de ordens (k) dos efeitos aleatórios. Pelos critérios de informação de Akaike e Bayesiano de Schwarz, os MRA mais adequados foram os modelos Reg666-r10 (RegkAkCkQ-r10) e Reg653-r10 (RegkAkCkQ-r10), respectivamente, para os efeitos genético aditivo direto (kA), de ambiente permanente de animal (kC) e de ambiente permanente materno (kQ), com as variâncias residuais divididas em dez (r10) classes. As estimativas de h2 de peso ao nascer (PN), 205, 365 e 550 dias de idades, foram de 0,13, 0,43, 0,46 e 0,48, para o modelo Reg666-r10; para o modelo mais parcimonioso (Reg653-10), foram de 0,13, 0,46, 0,54 e 0,56, respectivamente. As correlações fenotípicas, genéticas, de ambientes permanentes animal e materno foram todas positivas e similares entre os MRA. No modelo mais parcimonioso, Reg653-10, as ra do PN/205, PN/365, PN/550, 205/365, 205/550 e 365/550 foram, 0,40, 0,40, 0,42, 0,68, 0,74 e 0,81, respectivamente. Os modelos com homogeneidade de variância foram inadequados. A variância do resíduo dividido em dez classes distintas de variâncias foi mais adequada para modelar a variação residual. Na comparação das três abordagens de análise foi constatado que o MRA constitui alternativa importante para análise de dados de crescimento de bovinos. / Three different files containing 104,101, 55,063 and 60,782 body weight records from birth to 630 days of age, collected from 1975 to 2001, from Guzera cattle belonging to the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders (ABCZ) were used in this study. The data were analyzed according to three different approaches, corresponding to one of those files, in order to estimate the (co)variance components and the genetic parameters by different statistical models and the REML methodology: variance estimates and genetic parameters of single-trait models, single and two-trait models, and of random regression models (RRM). Regarding the first analysis, where four single-trait models were used, it was observed that model 1, the complete one which included the direct genetic and maternal (GM) effects, as well as the maternal permanent environmental effect and residual, did not statistically (P<0.05) differ by the likelihood ratio test from model 2, which excluded the GM. Direct heritabilities (h2) estimated by models 1 and 2 were quite similar, and increased from first to second age, remained until weaning, and then increased. Estimates of maternal genetic variance were low, especially before weaning. The second analysis, which used different single and two-trait models, resulted in similar behavior of estimates to the first analysis. The h2 estimated by single and two-trait analyses, for weight records adjusted to 120(P120), 205(P205), 365(P365) and 550(P550) days of age were 0.15, 0.10, 0.17, 0.14 and, 0.14, 0.10, 0.16, 0.15, respectively. The direct genetic correlations (ra) by models 1 and 2 for P120/P205, P120/P365, P120/P550, P205/P365, P205/P550 and P365/P550 were 0.80, 0.54, 0.54, 0.74, 0.62, 0.95 and, 0.80, 0.54, 0.53, 0.74, 0.62, 0.95, respectively. When comparing models 1 and 2, by the single and two-trait analyses, it was verified that model 2, which excluded the GM, was equivalent to the complete model. In the random regression analysis ten models presenting different residual variance structures and order combinations (k) of random effects were evaluated. According to the Akaike Information Criterion and the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion, the most suitable RRM were the models Reg666-r10 (RegkAkCkQ-r10) and Reg653-r10 (RegkAkCkQ-r10), respectively, for the direct additive effect (kA), the animal permanent environmental effect (kC) and the maternal permanent environmental effect (kQ), with the residue variances divided into ten distinct variance classes (r10). The h2 estimates for weights at birth (PN), 205, 365 and 550 days of age were 0.13, 0.43, 0.46, 0.48 and 0.13, 0.46, 0.54, 0.56 for the Reg666-r10 model and for the most parsimonious model (Reg653-10), respectively. The phenotypic, genetic, animal permanent environmental and maternal permanent environmental correlations were all positive and similar for all RRM. Considering the most parsimonious model, Reg653-10, the ra between PN/205, PN/365, PN/550, 205/365, 205/550 and 365/550 were 0.40, 0.40, 0.42, 0.68, 0.74 and 0.81, respectively. Models with variance homogeneity were inadequate. The residual variance divided into ten distinct variance classes was the most suitable to model the residual variation. In the comparison of the three approaches of analysis it was evidenced that the RRM constitutes important alternative for analysis of growth data of bovines.

O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar aspectos genéticos que relacionados à produção in vitro de embriões na raça Guzerá. O primeiro estudo focou na estimação de (co) variâncias genéticas e fenotípicas em características relacionadas a produção de embriões e na detecção de possível associação com a idade ao primeiro parto (AFC). Foi detectada baixa e média herdabilidade para características relacionadas à produção de oócitos e embriões. Houve fraca associação genética entre características ligadas a reprodução artificial e a idade ao primeiro parto. O segundo estudo avaliou tendências genéticas e de endogamia em uma população Guzerá no Brasil. Doadoras e embriões produzidos in vitro foram considerados como duas subpopulações de forma a realizar comparações acerca das diferenças de variação anual genética e do coeficiente de endogamia. A tendência anual do coeficiente de endogamia (F) foi superior para a população geral, sendo detectado efeito quadrático. No entanto, a média de F para a sub- população de embriões foi maior do que na população geral e das doadoras. Foi observado ganho genético anual superior para a idade ao primeiro parto e para a produção de leite (305 dias) entre embriões produzidos in vitro do que entre doadoras ou entre a população geral. O terceiro estudo examinou os efeitos do coeficiente de endogamia da doadora, do reprodutor (usado na fertilização in vitro) e dos embriões sobre resultados de produção in vitro de embriões na raça Guzerá. Foi detectado efeito da endogamia da doadora e dos embriões sobre as características estudadas. O quarto (e último) estudo foi elaborado para comparar a adequação de modelos mistos lineares e generalizados sob método de Máxima Verossimilhança Restrita (REML) e sua adequação a variáveis discretas. Quatro modelos hierárquicos assumindo diferentes distribuições para dados de contagem encontrados no banco. Inferência foi realizada com base em diagnósticos de resíduo e comparação de razões entre componentes de variância para os modelos em cada variável. Modelos Poisson superaram tanto o modelo linear (com e sem transformação da variável) quanto binomial negativo à qualidade do ajuste e capacidade preditiva, apesar de claras diferenças observadas na distribuição das variáveis. Entre os modelos testados, a pior qualidade de ajuste foi obtida para o modelo linear mediante transformação logarítmica (Log10 X +1) da variável resposta. / The objective of this research was to evaluate genetic aspects permeating in vitro embryo production in Guzerá cattle. The first study aimed for estimating genetic and phenotypic (co)variances among embryo production traits and detecting possible genetic association with the age at first calving (AFC). Low and medium heritabilities were detected for oocyte and embryo production traits. A weak genetic association between artificial reproduction traits and AFC was identified. The second study evaluated genetic and inbreeding trends in the Brazilian Guzerá population. Female donors and in vitro produced embryos were considered as two subpopulations in order to perform comparisons and infer over differences in inbreeding and genetic annual variations. Embryos\' subpopulation showed higher genetic gains for age at first calving and milk production than donors\' subpopulation and the general population. Higher annual mean inbreeding values were also detected for the embryos\' subpopulation. The third study examined the effects of donor, sire (used for in vitro fertilization) and embryos\' inbreeding coefficient over in vitro embryo production traits in Guzerá cattle. Donors\' and embryos\' inbreeding effects over the analyzed traits were detected. Fourth and final study was designed to compare the performance of Linear and Generalized Linear Mixed Models under Restricted Maximum Likelihood method when fitting discrete variables. Four hierarchical models assuming different distributions for the response variable were fit to the (count) data. Inference was performed upon residual diagnostics and comparison of variance component ratios between models within each trait. Poisson models outperformed both linear (with and without variable transformation) and negative binomial models for goodness of fit and predictive ability despite clear differences in each trait\'s distribution. Logarithmic transformation (Log10 X +1) showed lowest goodness of fit among all models tested.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2017-09-13T13:51:47Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Moreira, Raphael Patrick.pdf: 1363040 bytes, checksum: 74bca5c71c7cd6e6549ae07aa1b28433 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-13T13:51:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Moreira, Raphael Patrick.pdf: 1363040 bytes, checksum: 74bca5c71c7cd6e6549ae07aa1b28433 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A larga utilização da inseminação artificial favoreceu que diferentes genótipos fossem distribuídos em distintas regiões ao redor do mundo. A falta de adaptação a algumas condições ambientais pode causar um efeito denominado interação genótipo x ambiente, principalmente em características poligênicas, ocorrendo alterações nos parâmetros genéticos. Deste modo, objetivou-se avaliar a interação genótipo x ambiente através das correlações genéticas para produção de leite (PL), produção de gordura no leite (PG) e produção de proteína no leite (PP). Foram utilizadas 57.967 vacas primíparas, com lactações entre os anos 1990 e 2015 e matriz de parentesco de 106.417 animais para estimar a correlação genética entre três regiões de climas distintos. O banco de dados utilizado pertence a Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa – APCBRH e foi dividido por região de acordo com a classificação climática em, R1) Clima mesotérmico úmido e super úmido; R2) Clima mesotérmico sem estação seca e R3) Clima mesotérmico com estação seca. Os efeitos inclusos no modelo foram efeitos fixos do grupo de contemporâneo (rebanho e ano de nascimento), como covariável a idade ao parto e o efeito genético aditivo como efeito aleatório. Os parâmetros genéticos foram estimados pelo método REML, utilizando o programa VCE 6.0. Para obtenção dos valores genéticos utilizou-se o programa PEST2, e posteriormente, os touros foram classificados e submetidos às correlações de Pearson e Spearman, respectivamente. Foram verificados os animais coincidentes entre as regiões, considerando os touros 10% melhores classificados em cada região para realização da comparação estatística. A herdabilidade variou entre as regiões de 0,16 a 0,21 para PL, de 0,17 a 0,25 para PG e de 0,10 a 0,17 para PP. As correlações genéticas, correlações de Pearson, correlações de Spearman e porcentagem de animais coincidentes para as três características entre as regiões foram todas maiores que 0,90 e, portanto, próximas de um. Os resultados obtidos demonstram não haver interação genótipo x ambiente para as três características avaliadas dentro das distintas classificações climáticas no Paraná. Ou seja, a estimativa do valor gênico de um animal em determinada região poderá também ser utilizado para outra região, sem significativo viés no progresso genético da característica. Além do mais, como não houve alteração significativa da predição genética entre regiões do Paraná, apenas um programa de seleção pode ser adotado, o qual incluiria todos os rebanhos da raça Holandesa do estado, reduzindo seu custo e tempo. / The wide use of artificial insemination has favored that different genotypes be distributed in different regions around the world. The lack of adaptation to some environmental conditions can cause an effect called genotype x environment interaction, mainly in polygenic characteristics, with changes in genetic parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotype x environment interaction through genetic correlations for milk yield (MY), milk fat yield (FY) and milk protein yield (PY). A total of 57,967 primiparous cows with lactations between 1990 and 2015 and a relationship matrix of 106,848 animals were used to estimate the genetic correlation between three regions of different climates. The database used belongs to the Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa- APCBRH and was divided by region according to the climatic classification in, R1) mesothermic climate moist and super humid, R2) mesothermic climate without dry season, R3) mesothermic climate with dry season. The effects included in the model were fixed effects of the contemporary group (herd and year of birth), as covariate the age at birth and the additive genetic effect as random effect. The genetic parameters were estimated by the REML method, using the VCE 6.0 program. To obtain the genetic values, the PEST2 program was used, in which the bulls were later classified and submitted to the Pearson and Spearman correlations, respectively. The coincident animals between the regions were verified, considering the bulls 10% better classified of each region for the accomplishment of the statistical comparison. The heritability between the regions ranged from 0.16 to 0.21 for MY, from 0.17 to 0.25 for FY and from 0.10 to 0.17 for PY. Genetic correlations, Pearson correlations, Spearman correlations and percentage of coincident animals for the three characteristics between regions were all higher than 0.90 and therefore close to one. The results obtained demonstrate that there is no interaction genotype x environment for the three characteristics evaluated within the distinct climatic classifications in Paraná. That is, the estimation of the genetic value of an animal in one region may also be used for another region, without significant bias in the genetic progress of the trait. Moreover, since there was no significant change in genetic prediction between regions of Paraná, only one selection program could be adopted, which would include all the herds of the state of Holstein, reducing their cost and time.