The rapid expansion of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) platforms in agronomic research has led to a major shift in plant science towards time-series phenotyping that can track plant development through its life stages, providing an opportunity to dissect the genetic basis of longitudinal traits. Plant breeders can now phenotype large populations during the growing season and promote the desirable genetic gain for the traits of interest in specific time points within their breeding program. The biggest challenge is to use the various tools in a practical way to understand the many complexities of plant growth and development and breeding implications. This dissertation explores interdisciplinary frameworks to assess different applications of HTP for longitudinal traits in soybean breeding. We provide a review outlining the current analytical approaches in quantitative genetics and genomics to adequately use high-dimensional phenomic data. Examples, advantages, and pitfalls of each approach, and future research directions and opportunities are explored. Among longitudinal traits in soybean, average canopy coverage (ACC) and above-ground biomass (AGB) are promising traits to strategic improve yield gain. Soybean ACC is highly heritable, with a high genetic correlation to yield and can be effectively measured by unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This study reveals that progeny rows selection using yield given ACC (Yield|ACC) selected the most top-ranking lines in advanced yield trials, which emphasizes the value of HTP of ACC for selection in the early stages of soybean breeding. In addition, we developed a HTP methodology to predict soybean AGB over several days after planting (DAP) and assessed the quantitative genomic properties of temporal AGB using random regression models (RRM). Our results show that AGB narrow-sense heritability estimates fluctuated over time and the genetic correlation of AGB between DAP decreased as the days went further apart. Considering the trait heritability, high prediction accuracies suggest that AGB is a good indicator trait for genomic selection in soybean breeding. Different genomic regions were found to be associated with AGB over time with potential time-specific SNPs playing a role in the trait expression. Similarly, candidate genes were identified with potential different patterns of expression over time. This study presents novel genetic knowledge for longitudinal traits in soybean and may contribute to the development of new cultivars with high yield and optimized AGB. This is the first application of RRM for genomic evaluation of a longitudinal trait in soybean and provides a foundation that RRM can be an effective approach to understand the temporal genetic architecture of a longitudinal trait in other crops.

Telomeres form protective caps at the ends of linear chromosomes. They consist of repetitive DNA nucleotides and associated proteins of the shelterin complex. In vitro telomeres become shorter during cell division and when a critical shortness is reached they trigger a DNA damage response that leads to replicative senescence or apoptosis. Telomere shortening is a recognised hallmark of cellular ageing and seems to be also associated with organismal ageing. Telomere length (TL) and the rate of shortening vary across individuals and several studies have found that short telomeres and fast telomere depletion are associated with poor survival and early onset of age related diseases. However, longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the relationship of TL and TL dynamics with longevity measures. Relevant studies on livestock species are largely missing from the literature. In the dairy industry, farmers are forced to cull a considerable percentage of their heifers and cows at a young age due to fertility problems or diseases. As a consequence many replacement heifers have to be reared to maintain a specific herd size. This results in increased costs, consumption of resources, and damage to the environment. Breeding for an improved productive lifespan is difficult because longevity measures are recorded at the end of life and are known to have a low heritability. Therefore, the expected genetic improvement is generally slow, but could be considerably accelerated if an early life heritable biomarker was identified that is predictive of productive lifespan and could be used for animal selection. The question is if TL could be used as such a biomarker. The objectives of this thesis were to 1) develop robust methods to measure average relative leukocyte TL (RLTL) in cattle, 2) examine RLTL dynamics with age at a population as well as at an individual level, 3) estimate genetic parameters and 4) assess the association of RLTL and RLTL dynamics with productive lifespan. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) based assay developed for human studies was adapted to cattle and delivered robust results (repeatability > 80%, coefficient of variation=0.05). Different DNA extraction methods were tested for their effect on RLTL measurements and it was demonstrated that fast silica based DNA extraction methods are suitable for telomere projects which can improve the sample throughput and enable large-scale projects. Subsequently, RLTL in 1328 whole blood samples of 308 Holstein Friesian dairy cows and additionally in 284 whole blood samples of 38 female calves was measured. Repeatability and random regression models were used for the statistical analysis of telomere data. RLTL decreased considerably within the first year of life, but remained relatively stable afterwards at population level. Animals varied significantly in their amount and direction of telomere change. The genetic correlation between consecutive measurements in the same individual weakened with increasing sample interval from r=1 to r=0.69 which indicates that TL in the beginning of life might be under a different genetic control than TL later in life. For the first time in a livestock species we calculated heritability estimates for RLTL which were high (0.32-0.38) and remained constant over life. Long telomeres at birth were not predictive of better productive lifespan. However, animals with long RLTL at the ages of one and five years had a survival advantage. Also, animals that showed less average RLTL attrition over their lives remained in production for longer. TL dynamics differed among individuals and a considerable subset of individuals demonstrated telomere lengthening between consecutive measurements. On average, telomeres tend to shorten early in life and then remain relatively constant. While TL is a heritable trait throughout lifetime, telomere change is not heritable. Short TL at specific ages and telomere attrition over life were associated with poorer productive lifespan.

Resumo: Foram estimados parâmetros genéticos para pesos do nascimento à idade adulta de animais da raça Canchim por meio de análises uni, bi e multicaracterística, e por modelos de regressão aleatória. Os dados analisados são provenientes do rebanho da raça Canchim da Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, localizada no município de São Carlos, São Paulo. Os pesos foram obtidos do nascimento até os nove anos e meio de idade. Nas análises uni, bi e multicaracterística foram utilizados pesos em ao nascimento, desmama, 12, 18, 24 e 30 meses de idade e, na idade adulta. Na análise unicaracterística foram utilizados quatro modelos, em que, diferentes efeitos aleatórios (efeito genético materno e de ambiente permanente materno) foram adicionados em seqüência. Nas análises de regressão aleatória, foram utilizados pesos de fêmeas do nascimento até os nove anos e meio de idade, considerando como funções base polinômios de Legendre e funções "b-splines". A variância residual foi modelada utilizando 1, 4, 11 e 19 classes. Foram utilizados 12 modelos de regressão aleatória sobre polinômios de Legendre de segunda à sétima ordem para modelar a trajetória da variância dos efeitos genético aditivo direto e aditivo materno e de ambiente permanente direto e materno. Vinte modelos de regressão aleatória sobre funções "bsplines" foram considerados, empregando polinômios linear, quadrático e cúbico para cada segmento individual. Polinômios do mesmo grau foram considerados no modelo para todos os efeitos aleatórios. Até sete segmentos foram utilizados para os efeitos genético direto e de ambiente permanente do animal. Para os efeitos genético aditivo materno e de ambiente permanente materno foi utilizado um único segmento com dois nós nos extremos da curva Os efeitos maternos influenciam os pesos do nascimento aos dois anos de idade sendo o peso à desmama... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Genetic parameters were estimated for weights taken from birth to mature age in Canchim (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) cattle of breed by one, two and multitrait analyses and by random regression models. The data analyzed were from a herd of Canchim beef cattle belonging to Embrapa's Southeast Cattle Research Center, located in São Carlos county, state of São Paulo. Weights were taken from birth to nine and half years of age. Weights at birth, weaning, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of age and at mature age were analyzed using one, two and multitrait models. In onetrait analyses, four models were tested, in which different random effects (genetic and environment permanent maternal effects) were added. For random regression models age of cow varied from birth to 3.542 days of age. Legendre polynomials and b-splines functions of age at recording were used as basis functions in random regression models. Residual variances were modeled by a step function with 1, 4, 11 and 19 classes. A total of 12 random regression models using Legendre polynomials as basis functions, from second to seventh order, were used to model direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. A total of twenty analyses, considering linear, quadratic and cubic b-splines functions and up to nine knots, were carried out. Spline functions of the same order were considered for all random effects. Maternal effects influenced weights from birth until two years of age, being weaning weight the most affected by maternal effects. Direct heritabilities obtained by twotrait and multitrait analyses were higher than estimates obtained from onetrait analyses. In order to estimate genetic parameters for weights after selection it is important to consider weights before selection and the multitrait analyses is the most adequate. The model with direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Maurício Mello de Alencar / Coorientadora: Lúcia Galvão de Albuquerque / Banca: Humberto Tonhati / Banca: Henrique Nunes de Oliveira / Banca: Lenira El Faro Zadra / Banca: Maria Eugênia Zerlotti Mercadante / Doutor

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.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:33:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 boligon_aa_me_jabo.pdf: 786716 bytes, checksum: 55a12f5a16a7a8f8acd0c213b48d9308 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Foram estimados parâmetros genéticos para pesos do nascimento à idade adulta de animais da raça Nelore por meio de análises uni, bi e multicaracterísticas e modelos de regressão aleatória. Os dados utilizados são de animais nascidos de 1975 e 2002, provenientes de 8 fazendas participantes do Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Raça Nelore (PMGRN). Os pesos foram obtidos do nascimento aos 8 anos de idade. Nas análises uni, bi e multicaracterísticas foram utilizados pesos em idades padrão como nascimento, desmama, ano, sobreano e aos 2, 3 e 5 anos de idade. Também foram realizadas análises utilizando o peso mais próximo aos 4,5 anos de idade como indicativo de peso adulto, considerando uma única medida a partir de 2, 3 e 4 anos de idade ou como registros repetidos de pesos a partir dessas mesmas idades. Nas análises de regressão aleatória, foram utilizados pesos de fêmeas do nascimento aos 8 anos de idade, considerando como variáveis independentes polinômios de Legendre da idade na data da pesagem. A variância residual foi modelada por meio de classes variando de 1 a 5. Foram utilizados 8 modelos de coeficientes de regressão aleatória para os efeitos direto e materno de animal, e de ambiente permanente de animal e materno. O modelo multicaracterística, incluindo registros de pesos ao desmame e à seleção é o mais indicado para a avaliação genética de pesos pós-desmama. Em avaliações genéticas para a característica de peso adulto, o emprego de modelos de repetibilidade, considerando pesos a partir de 3 anos de idade, seria o mais adequado em relação à utilização de medida única... / Weight records of Nelore cattle from birth to mature age were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, multivariate and random regression models. Records of Nelore cattle born from 1975 to 2002, from 8 herds participating in the Nelore Cattle Breeding Program (NCBP) were used. The weights were obtained from birth to 8 years of age. Weights at birth, weaning, yearling, 18 months and 2, 3 and 5 years of age were analyzed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate models. Also, as indicative of the mature weight, the weight closest to 4.5 years of age, was analyzed considering only one record or repeated records obtained from 2, 3 and 4 years of age. For random regression models age of cow varied from birth to 8 years. Direct and maternal genetic and, animal and maternal permanent environmental variances were modeled by random regression on Legendre polynomials of age at recording, with order of fit from 3 to 6 and a total of 8 models. Residual variances were modeled by a step function with 1 or 5 classes. The multivariate model including weight records at weaning and at selection age is the most indicated for genetic evaluation of pos-weaning weights. For genetic evaluation of mature weight to use repeated records obtained from 3 years of age is better than only one record per animal. The random regression models were able to model changes of variances with age adequately, with parameter estimates similar to those obtained by multivariate analyses. The model with direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal permanent environmental effects ajusted by quartic, cubic, sixth and cubic polynomials, respectively, and residual variances modeled by 5 classes, was the most adequate to describe the covariance structure of the data...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-11-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:42:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 laureano_mmm_dr_jabo.pdf: 1370732 bytes, checksum: 917b233b8c336006b0fff4eae272a7b4 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Parâmetros genéticos para o fluxo lácteo medido no dia do controle (FLDC) de primeiras lactações de vacas da raça Holandesa foram estimados utilizando modelos de dimensão finita (TDM) e modelos de regressão aleatória. Para os TDM foram analisadas 10 características por meio de modelos uni e bi e multi-características e de repetibilidade, que continham como aleatórios, o efeito genético aditivo e o efeito residual e, como efeitos fixos, o grupo de contemporâneos e as covariáveis idade da vaca ao parto. A variável número de dias em lactação foi incluída somente no modelo de repetibilidade. Para os MRA, foram considerados os efeitos aleatórios genético aditivo direto, de ambiente permanente e o residual. Foram considerados como efeitos fixos, o grupo de contemporâneos, os efeitos linear e quadrático da covariável idade da vaca ao parto e a curva média de lactação da população, modelada por meio de polinômios ortogonais de Legendre de quarta ordem. Os efeitos aleatórios genético aditivo e de ambiente permanente foram modelados por meio de regressão aleatória sobre polinômios ortogonais de Legendre e por meio de funções b-splines. Diferentes estruturas de variâncias residuais foram testadas, por meio de classes contendo 1, 7, 10, 20 e 43 variâncias residuais, para os MRA modelados por meio de polinômios de Legendre. Já, para os MRA modelados por funções b-splines, a estrutura residual foi considerada heterogênea, contendo 7 classes de variâncias. Os MRA foram comparados usando o teste de razão de verossimilhança, o critério de informação de Akaike e o critério de informação de Bayesiano de Schwarz. As estimativas de herdabilidade (h2) para os FLDC variaram de 0,23 a 0,32 nas análises unicaracterísticas, de 0,24 a 0,32 nas bi-características e de 0,28 a 0,37 nas multicaracterísticas. Os valores de h2 estimados variaram no decorrer da... / Flow milk genetic parameters to the first lactation test-day milk yields of Holstein cattle were estimated using Test-day models (TDM) and Random regression models (RRM). Ten TDM differents traits were analyzed using uni, bi and multi-trait and repeatability animal models, that included the additive genetic as random effect and the fixed effects of contemporary group, age of cow (linear and quadratic) as covariables. The days in milk (linear) variable was included only at repeatability model. To RRM were included the additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual as random effects, the fixed effects of contemporary group, age of cow as covariable (linear and quadratic effects) and a 4th-order Legendre orthogonal polynomials of days in milk, to model the mean trend. The additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were fitted by Legendre orthogonal polynomials and b-splines functions. Different structures of residual variances were used, through the variances classes containing 1, 7, 10, 20, and e 43 residual variances, to the models fitted by Legendre orthogonal polynomials. Moreover, for the RRM fitted by b-splines-functions, the residual estructure was considered heterogeneous, having 7 variance classes. The RRM were compared by Likelihood ratio test, Bayesian and Akaike´s information criteria. The heritability estimated ranged from 0.23 to 0.32 by uni-trait analyses, from 0.24 to 0.32 by bi-traits analyses and from 0.28 to 0.37 by multi-trait analyses. The h2 estimates varied during the lactation being the highest estimate at the fourth month. The estimate obtained by the repeatability model was 0.27, and a repeatability estimate of 0.66. For the MRA fitted by Legendre orthogonal polynomials, related to the residual variance, the best model the one that deemed 7 residual classes. For the additive and permanent environmental effects, the having 3th-order... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-09-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:03:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 baldirey_fs_dr_jabo.pdf: 751142 bytes, checksum: 4a3bdaf84424f12abb37e90cff761fdc (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Foram estimados parâmetros genéticos para pesos do nascimento à idade adulta de animais da raça Canchim por meio de análises uni, bi e multicaracterística, e por modelos de regressão aleatória. Os dados analisados são provenientes do rebanho da raça Canchim da Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, localizada no município de São Carlos, São Paulo. Os pesos foram obtidos do nascimento até os nove anos e meio de idade. Nas análises uni, bi e multicaracterística foram utilizados pesos em ao nascimento, desmama, 12, 18, 24 e 30 meses de idade e, na idade adulta. Na análise unicaracterística foram utilizados quatro modelos, em que, diferentes efeitos aleatórios (efeito genético materno e de ambiente permanente materno) foram adicionados em seqüência. Nas análises de regressão aleatória, foram utilizados pesos de fêmeas do nascimento até os nove anos e meio de idade, considerando como funções base polinômios de Legendre e funções “b-splines”. A variância residual foi modelada utilizando 1, 4, 11 e 19 classes. Foram utilizados 12 modelos de regressão aleatória sobre polinômios de Legendre de segunda à sétima ordem para modelar a trajetória da variância dos efeitos genético aditivo direto e aditivo materno e de ambiente permanente direto e materno. Vinte modelos de regressão aleatória sobre funções “bsplines” foram considerados, empregando polinômios linear, quadrático e cúbico para cada segmento individual. Polinômios do mesmo grau foram considerados no modelo para todos os efeitos aleatórios. Até sete segmentos foram utilizados para os efeitos genético direto e de ambiente permanente do animal. Para os efeitos genético aditivo materno e de ambiente permanente materno foi utilizado um único segmento com dois nós nos extremos da curva Os efeitos maternos influenciam os pesos do nascimento aos dois anos de idade sendo o peso à desmama... / Genetic parameters were estimated for weights taken from birth to mature age in Canchim (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) cattle of breed by one, two and multitrait analyses and by random regression models. The data analyzed were from a herd of Canchim beef cattle belonging to Embrapa’s Southeast Cattle Research Center, located in São Carlos county, state of São Paulo. Weights were taken from birth to nine and half years of age. Weights at birth, weaning, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of age and at mature age were analyzed using one, two and multitrait models. In onetrait analyses, four models were tested, in which different random effects (genetic and environment permanent maternal effects) were added. For random regression models age of cow varied from birth to 3.542 days of age. Legendre polynomials and b-splines functions of age at recording were used as basis functions in random regression models. Residual variances were modeled by a step function with 1, 4, 11 and 19 classes. A total of 12 random regression models using Legendre polynomials as basis functions, from second to seventh order, were used to model direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal permanent environmental effects. A total of twenty analyses, considering linear, quadratic and cubic b-splines functions and up to nine knots, were carried out. Spline functions of the same order were considered for all random effects. Maternal effects influenced weights from birth until two years of age, being weaning weight the most affected by maternal effects. Direct heritabilities obtained by twotrait and multitrait analyses were higher than estimates obtained from onetrait analyses. In order to estimate genetic parameters for weights after selection it is important to consider weights before selection and the multitrait analyses is the most adequate. The model with direct and maternal genetic effects, animal and maternal... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

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.

Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-03-20T18:00:43Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) namibia_rizzari_leite.pdf: 3000386 bytes, checksum: 4ad82a1678a4c363522c1631a2cdead0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-03-29T14:18:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) namibia_rizzari_leite.pdf: 3000386 bytes, checksum: 4ad82a1678a4c363522c1631a2cdead0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-29T14:18:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) namibia_rizzari_leite.pdf: 3000386 bytes, checksum: 4ad82a1678a4c363522c1631a2cdead0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico (CNPq) / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (Capes) / Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) / Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da intera??o gen?tipo x n?veis de lisina digest?vel das dietas sobre caracter?sticas morfom?tricas e de desempenho de til?pias do Nilo, variedade GIFT, em fase de crescimento. O experimento foi constitu?do de duas fases, sendo que na primeira as til?pias foram alimentadas dos 90 aos 150 dias de idade com dietas contendo percentuais de lisina iguais a 1,43, 1,53, 1,63, 1,73 e 1,83 e na segunda fase, dos 151 aos 255 dias, os percentuais de lisina das dietas foram iguais a 1,28, 1,38, 1,48, 1,58 e 1,68. As til?pias foram pesadas dos 90 aos 255 dias de idade com intervalos de aproximadamente 30 dias, foram calculados o ganho de peso total e o ganho de peso di?rio e, posteriormente, as idades foram ajustadas para 90 e 150 dias na primeira fase, e 185, 220 e 255 dias na segunda fase. As medidas de altura, largura, comprimento de cabe?a, comprimento padr?o e comprimento total das til?pias foram coletadas aos 150 dias de idade. A partir desses dados, foram calculadas as rela??es cabe?a/comprimento padr?o, comprimento padr?o/comprimento total e largura/altura. Modelos de regress?o aleat?ria, por meio do modelo animal uni caracter?stica, foram utilizados para avaliar a sensibilidades dos valores gen?ticos aos n?veis de lisina digest?vel das dietas, plotando-se as normas de rea??o de 25 peixes amostrados aleatoriamente para as diferentes caracter?sticas para demonstrar o padr?o de comportamento dos valores gen?ticos das caracter?sticas ao longo do gradiente ambiental. Foram testados modelos com homogeneidade (1 classe) e heterogeneidade de vari?ncia residual (2, 3 e 4 classes). Modelos com heterogeneidade de vari?ncia residual foram mais adequados para avalia??o gen?tica da maioria das caracter?sticas das til?pias na primeira fase e modelos com homogeneidade de vari?ncia residual para a maioria das caracter?sticas de desempenho das til?pias avaliadas na segunda fase. Os valores gen?ticos das til?pias, em ambas as fases, variaram entre os n?veis de lisina estudados para a maioria das caracter?sticas, indicando a presen?a de intera??o gen?tipo x ambiente. No geral, as herdabilidades e vari?ncias gen?ticas aditivas variaram de baixas a altas magnitudes. As correla??es de Spearman, assim como as normas de rea??o, indicaram reordenamento dos valores gen?ticos ao longo do gradiente ambiental, sugerindo a presen?a de intera??o gen?tipo x ambiente. A sele??o para desempenho e medidas morfom?tricas de til?pias GIFT deve ser realizada no n?vel de lisina da dieta com a qual as til?pias ser?o alimentadas. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Zootecnia, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017. / This research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of genotype x levels of digestible lysine of the diets on morphometric and performance characteristics of Nile tilapia, GIFT variety, in the growing phase. The experiment consisted of two phases, and in the first the tilapia were fed from 90 to 150 days of age diets containing lysine percentages equal to 1.43, 1.53, 1.63, 1.73 and 1.83. In the second phase, from 151 to 255 days, the lysine percentages of the diets were 1.28, 1.38, 1.48, 1.58 and 1.68. Tilapia were weighed from 90 to 255 days of age at intervals of approximately 30 days. Total weight gain and daily weight gain were calculated and, subsequently, were adjusted for 90 and 150 days in the first phase, and 185 , 220 and 255 days in the second phase. The measurements of height, width, head length, standard length and total length of tilapias were collected at 150 days of age. From these data, the head / standard length ratios, standard length / total length and width / height ratios were calculated. Single trait random regression modes were used in the analyses and the reaction norm plots of 25 randomly sampled fishes were used to demonstrate the sensitivity of breeding values to dietary digestible lysine level. Models with homogeneity (1 class) and heterogeneity of residual variance (2, 3 and 4 classes) were tested. Models considering heterogeneity of residual variance were more adequate for genetic evaluation of most of the characteristics of tilapia in the first phase and models considering homogeneity of residual variance for most of the performance characteristics of tilapia evaluated in the second phase. The breeding values of tilapia, in both phases, varied among the lysine levels studied for most of the traits, indicating the presence of genotype x environment interaction. In general, heritabilities and additive genetic variances varied from low to high magnitude. Spearman correlations, as well as the reaction norms, suggested rearrangement of breeding values along the environmental gradient, again indicating the presence of genotype x environment interaction. The selection for performance and morphometric traits of tilapia GIFT strain should be performed at the lysine level of the diet with which the tilapia will be fed.