Heterosis of body weight in crossbred cattle in a humid rainforest agro-ecological zone
Keywords:
Crossbreeding, Indigenous cattle, F1 hybrids, Body weight, Heterosis
Abstract
This study evaluated the heterosis of body weight at various growth stages in F1 cattle. Purebred cattle were Red Bororo (B), Sokoto Gudahli (G), N’Dama (N), Muturu (M), and White Fulani (F). F1 hybrids were BxN (BN), BxF (BF), GxF (GF), NxM (NM), NxF (NF), and FxM (FM). 566 weight-age data belonging to the genetic groups (sexes combined) were analyzed. Higher body weights were recorded for G followed by B and F while M had the least values (p≤0.05). Among the hybrids, GF was the heaviest (p≤0.05) followed by BF except for weaning weight which was higher in NM compared to BF. Apart from weaning and yearling weights, NM and FM had the least body weights at other growth stages reflecting the poor growth potentials of the M breed component. Positive heterosis was observed for NM and NF across the growth stages. Positive heterosis were also observed in yearling, grower, and adult weights in BN; in all traits except weaning weight in BF; in birth, weaning, and grower weights in GF; and in weaning, yearling, and grower weights in FM. Heterosis relative to inferior parent was mostly positive indicating improved growth rate in the hybrids. Useful heterosis (positive heterosis relative to N or M) were observed for BN, NM, NF, and FM at different growth stages. These hybrids could be further upgraded and stabilized for cattle production in the humid environment. In conclusion, crossbreeding can be used to generate heterosis, and improve the performance of indigenous cattle breeds.
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References
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Bunning, H., Wall, E., Chagunda, M. G. G., Banos, G. and Simm, G. (2019). Heterosis in cattle crossbreeding schemes in tropical regions: meta-analysis of effects of breed combination, trait type, and climate on level of heterosis. J. Anim. Sci. 97:29–34. Doi: 10.1093/jas/sky406.
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Favero, R., Menezes, G.R.O., Torres Jr., R.A.A., Silva, L.O.C., Bonin, M.N., Feijó, G.L.D., Altrak, G., Niwa, M.V.G., Kazama, R., Mizubuti, I.Y. and Gomes, R.C. (2019). Crossbreeding applied to systems of beef cattle production to improve performance traits and carcass quality. Animal 13:2679-2686.
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Getahun, D., Alemneh, T., Akeberegn, D., Getabalew, M. and Zewdie, D. (2019). Importance of hybrid vigor or heterosis for animal breeding. Biochemistry and Biotechnology Research 7 (1):1-4.
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Hailemariam, A., Esatu, W., Abegaz, S., Mengistu Urge, M., Assefa, G. and Dessie, T. (2023). Effects of crossbreeding on growth, production and selected egg quality traits of Improved Horro crosses with Cosmopolitan chickens. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 14: 100716, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100716.
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Nwakpu, P. E., Obianwuna E. U. and Ogunnupebi, J. T. (2023). Heterosis of crossbred genotypes of muturu cows mated with white fulani bulls using modified co-synch protocol under natural grazing conditions. Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 49(5):30-35.
Pacheco, P.S., Restle, J., Brondani, I.L., Filho, D.C. A., Padua, J.T., Miotto, (2010) F.R.C. Grupo genético, sistema de acasalamento e efeitos genéticos aditivos e não-aditivos nas características de musculosidade da carcaça de novilhos oriundos do cruzamento rotativo Charolês × Nelore. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 39:494-502.
Prastowo, S., Widi, T. S. M. and Widyas, N. (2017). Preliminary analysis on hybrid vigor in Indonesian indigenous and crossbred cattle population using data from published studies. Materials Science and Engineering 193:012028. Doi:10.1088/1757-899X/193/1/012028.
Ribeiro, A. M. F., Sanglard, L. P., Snelling, W. M., Thallman, R. M., Kuehn, L. A. and Spangler, M. L. (2022). Genetic parameters, heterosis, and breed effects for body condition score and mature cow weight in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 100: 1–7. Doi:10.1093/jas/skac017.
Vaz, R. Z., Restle, J., Pacheco, P. S., Vaz, F. N., Muehlmann, L. D., Filho, D. C. A., Missio, R. L. and Vaz, M. B. (2016). Genetic group and heterosis on morphometric measurements during the growth of male beef cattle. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, Londrina 37(4), suplemento 1:2759-2772.
Weaber, B. 2010. Crossbreeding for commercial beef production. In: Nielsen, M. K., editor. National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. Beef Sire Selection Manual. 2nd ed.; p. 50–57.
Zimmermann, M. J., Kuehn, L. A., Spangler, M. L., Thallman, R. M., Snelling, W. M. and Lewis, R. M. (2021). Breed and heterotic effect for mature weight in cattle. Journal of Animal Science 99(8):1-7. Doi:10.1093/jas/skab209.
Bunning, H., Wall, E., Chagunda, M. G. G., Banos, G. and Simm, G. (2019). Heterosis in cattle crossbreeding schemes in tropical regions: meta-analysis of effects of breed combination, trait type, and climate on level of heterosis. J. Anim. Sci. 97:29–34. Doi: 10.1093/jas/sky406.
Cedano-Castro, J.I., Wurzinger, M., Gutiérrez, G., Jiménez, R., Huamán Cristóbal, A.E., Sölkner, J. (2023). Scarce Evidence of Heterosis for Growth Traits in Peruvian Guinea Pigs. Animals 13:2738. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172738.
Cundiff, L.V., Nunez - Dominguez, R., Dikerson, G.E., Gregory, K.E. and Koch, R.M (1992). Heterosis for lifetime production in Hereford, Angus, shorthorn, and crossbred cows. J Anim Sci. 70:2397 - 2410.
El-Tahawy, W.S. and Habashy, W.S. (2021). Genetic effects on growth and egg production traits in two-way crosses of Egyptian and commercial layer chickens, S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 51(3):349–354.
Essien, A. (2003). Heterosis for birth weight in N'dama F1 crossbred calves in south western Nigeria. Livestock Research for Rural Development 15(11): html.
Favero, R., Menezes, G.R.O., Torres Jr., R.A.A., Silva, L.O.C., Bonin, M.N., Feijó, G.L.D., Altrak, G., Niwa, M.V.G., Kazama, R., Mizubuti, I.Y. and Gomes, R.C. (2019). Crossbreeding applied to systems of beef cattle production to improve performance traits and carcass quality. Animal 13:2679-2686.
Fernandes, T.A., Cerdótes, L., Vaz, R.Z., Restle, J. and Ferreira, O. G. L. (2020). Relationship between heterosis, weight gain, and body measurements of Nellore and Charolais calves. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira 55:e01821. Doi:10.1590/S16783921. pab2020.v55.01821.
Getahun, D., Alemneh, T., Akeberegn, D., Getabalew, M. and Zewdie, D. (2019). Importance of hybrid vigor or heterosis for animal breeding. Biochemistry and Biotechnology Research 7 (1):1-4.
Gregory, K. E., Cundiff, L. V. and Koch, R. M. (1992). Breed effects and heterosis in advanced generations of composite populations for reproduction and maternal traits of beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 70:656.
Gregory, K.E., and Cundiff, L.V. (1980). Crossbreeding in beef cattle: evaluation of systems. J. Anim. Sci. 51:1224.
Hailemariam, A., Esatu, W., Abegaz, S., Mengistu Urge, M., Assefa, G. and Dessie, T. (2023). Effects of crossbreeding on growth, production and selected egg quality traits of Improved Horro crosses with Cosmopolitan chickens. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 14: 100716, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2023.100716.
Hay, E. H. and Roberts, A. (2023). Genomic Analysis of Heterosis in an Angus x Hereford Cattle Population. Animals 13:191. Doi: 10.3390/ani13020191.
John, P. A., Kabir, M., Iyiola-Tunji, A.O. and Adedibu, I. I. (2021). Influence of age distribution on zoometric characteristics of some selected cattle breeds in Nigeria. Nigerian J. Anim. Sci. 23(3):9-23.
Kubkomawa, H. I. (2017). Indigenous breeds of cattle, their productivity, economic and cultural values in sub-Saharan Africa: A review. International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences 3(1):27-43.
Mendonça, F. S., MacNeil, M. D., Leal, W. S., Rodrigo C. C. Azambuja, R. C. C., Rodrigues, P. F. and Cardoso, F. F. (2019). Crossbreeding effects on growth and efficiency in beef cow–calf systems: evaluation of Angus, Caracu, Hereford and Nelore breed direct, maternal and heterosis effects. Transl. Anim. Sci. 3:1286–1295. Doi: 10.1093/tas/txz096.
Morris, C. A., Baker, R. L., Carter, A. H., Cullen, N. G., Amyes, N. C. and Hickey, S. M. (1993). Evaluation of two-breed composites alongside Angus or Hereford controls for growth, reproduction, maternal, and carcass traits. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 36(3):327-340. Doi: 10.1080/00288233.1993.10417730.
N. R. C. I. (2016). Weather data: National Root Crops Research Institute (N.R.C.I.), Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
Nwachukwu, E. N., Ogbu, C. C., Kalla, D. J. U., Ukwu, H. O., Ezea, J., Onoja, O. S. and Onyeabor, A.(2024). Evaluation of biochemical indices in indigenous cattle breeds and crossbred genotypes under natural trypanosome challenge. Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 50(5):18 - 38 https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v50i5.3945.
Nwakpu, P. E., Obianwuna E. U. and Ogunnupebi, J. T. (2023). Heterosis of crossbred genotypes of muturu cows mated with white fulani bulls using modified co-synch protocol under natural grazing conditions. Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 49(5):30-35.
Pacheco, P.S., Restle, J., Brondani, I.L., Filho, D.C. A., Padua, J.T., Miotto, (2010) F.R.C. Grupo genético, sistema de acasalamento e efeitos genéticos aditivos e não-aditivos nas características de musculosidade da carcaça de novilhos oriundos do cruzamento rotativo Charolês × Nelore. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 39:494-502.
Prastowo, S., Widi, T. S. M. and Widyas, N. (2017). Preliminary analysis on hybrid vigor in Indonesian indigenous and crossbred cattle population using data from published studies. Materials Science and Engineering 193:012028. Doi:10.1088/1757-899X/193/1/012028.
Ribeiro, A. M. F., Sanglard, L. P., Snelling, W. M., Thallman, R. M., Kuehn, L. A. and Spangler, M. L. (2022). Genetic parameters, heterosis, and breed effects for body condition score and mature cow weight in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 100: 1–7. Doi:10.1093/jas/skac017.
Vaz, R. Z., Restle, J., Pacheco, P. S., Vaz, F. N., Muehlmann, L. D., Filho, D. C. A., Missio, R. L. and Vaz, M. B. (2016). Genetic group and heterosis on morphometric measurements during the growth of male beef cattle. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, Londrina 37(4), suplemento 1:2759-2772.
Weaber, B. 2010. Crossbreeding for commercial beef production. In: Nielsen, M. K., editor. National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. Beef Sire Selection Manual. 2nd ed.; p. 50–57.
Zimmermann, M. J., Kuehn, L. A., Spangler, M. L., Thallman, R. M., Snelling, W. M. and Lewis, R. M. (2021). Breed and heterotic effect for mature weight in cattle. Journal of Animal Science 99(8):1-7. Doi:10.1093/jas/skab209.
Published
2025-02-10
How to Cite
Nwachukwu, E. N., Ogbu, C. C., Ezea, J., Kalla, D. J. U., Ukwu, H. O., & Inyang, E. C. (2025). Heterosis of body weight in crossbred cattle in a humid rainforest agro-ecological zone. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science and Technology (NJAST), 7(4), 148 - 157. Retrieved from https://njast.com.ng/index.php/home/article/view/385
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