Acta Agriculturae Zhejiangensis ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (3): 460-470.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-1524.20250230

• Animal Science • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Estimation of genetic parameters for lactation persistency in dairy cows in the Yangtze River Delta region and analysis of its genetic correlations with production and fertility traits

LI Tianxiu1,2(), LU Xubin2,3, YANG Zhangping2,3, XIAO Weiming2, ZHOU Fuzhen2, DONG Xinxing1, YIN Tong2,*(), YAN Dawei1,*()   

  1. 1. Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Dairy Cattle Genetic Improvement and Milk Quality Research, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
    3. College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
  • Received:2025-03-24 Online:2026-03-25 Published:2026-04-17
  • Contact: YIN Tong,YAN Dawei

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the genetic parameters of 305-day cumulative milk yield and lactation persistency in primiparous cows in the Yangtze River Delta region, as well as the genetic correlations between lactation persistency and 305-day milk yield, and first insemination conception rate in heifers and cows. Two nonparametric and three parametric models were used to fit lactation curves, predict 305-day milk yield, and calculate lactation persistency. Variance components were estimated for daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, lactation persistency, and reproduction traits in first lactation cows using a single-trait animal model. Genetic correlations between lactation persistency traits and 305-day milk yield and reproduction traits were estimated using a bivariate animal model. The rolling mean method displayed the best goodness of fit for lactation curves. Heritability estimates for daily milk yield, recorded between 5 and 305 days of lactation, ranged from 0.156 to 0.465. Heritabilities for 305-day milk yield and lactation persistency traits ranged from 0.405 to 0.437 and 0.113 to 0.238, respectively. For first insemination conception rate, heritability was 0.067 ± 0.041 in heifers and 0.023 ± 0.032 in cows. Genetic correlations between lactation persistency traits and 305-day milk yield, first insemination conception rate in heifers, and first insemination conception rate in cows were 0.318-0.808, -0.241-0.408, and 0.118-0.721, respectively. Both 305-day milk yield and first-service conception rate in mature cows showed positive genetic correlations with lactation persistency. The results demonstrated the potential for genetic improvement of reproduction traits in dairy cow, offering strategies for breeding cows with high productivity and fertility.

Key words: dairy cow, daily milk yield, lactation curve, lactation persistency, reproduction trait, genetic parameter

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