MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND TRAINING RURAL DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL SCIENCES PHAM VAN TIEM EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN DAIRY BREEDING BULLS IN VIETNAM Major: Animal production Code No.: 62 62 01 05 SUMMARY OF THE PhD THESIS HANOI - 2014 The thesis was completed at: National Institute of Animal Sciences Supervisors: Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Van Duc Doctor Le Van Thong Opponent 1: …………………………………… Opponent ……………………………………… Opponent 3: ……………………………………… The thesis is sumitted before the Thesis Examination Committee (Institute Level) meeting at the National Institute of Animal Sciences at [Time] [Date] [Month] [Year] Thesis can be found at: National Library Library of National Institute of Animal Sciences Library of Vietnam Ruminant Breeding Center INTRODUCTION RATIONALE It is difficult to select dairy bulls because milk characteristics are not manifestation Therefore, several indirect methods have been used for dairy bull selections One of them, which has the highest accuracy and effectiveness, is progeny testing Progeny testing is based on the pedigree, individual performance, and the lactation milk yield of paternal half-sib sisters and daughters In Vietnam, cattle frozen semen has been produced and used since 1970 After 45 years, most of bulls used for producing frozen semen, are imported and mainly selected by their pedigree and individual performance Recently, some studies using progeny testing for selection of Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy bulls have done in Vietnam However, there has been no study combined all steps of the progeny testing in a selection program For the above reason, in order to select the best Holstein Friesian breeding bulls for producing frozen semen, contributing to faster, effectve and sustainable development in Vietnam dairy sector, one study: "Evaluation and selection of Holstein Friesian dairy breeding bulls in Vietnam" was undertaken THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY To select the best HF bulls for dairy cattle breeding development program in Vietnam via four steps of progeny testing To confirm the accuracy of dairy bull selection with steps SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL MEANINGS OF STUDY 3.1 The scientific meanings Results of this thesis can be used as a sources of literature of the progeny testing for HF dairy bulls with the highest of effectiveness and accuracy though steps: pedigree, individuals, and milk yield potention EBV of bulls canculated from milk yield per lactation of paternal half-sib sisters, and daughters This thesis also confirms that the progeny testing with steps can be applied succesfully in Vietnam conditions 3.2 The practical meanings Thesis is a scientific documentation, and could be used as a materials for teaching, research at universities and institutes as well as dairy farms The methods and results in thesis can help to select the best dairy bulls for suitable breeding programs aiming at improving milk production in dairy cattle sector THE NEW CONTRIBUTiON OF THE THESIS - The thesis is the first scientific work to sucessfully evaluate and select Holstein Friesian dairy breeding bulls though selection steps of progeny testing: pedigree, individual, paternal half-sib sisters, and daughters in Vietnam - Selection of dairy Holstein Friesian bulls for milk yield based on EBV of the first lactation milk yield of paternal half-sib sisters and daughters has a high accuracy - The results of the thesis demonstrate that the effectiveness for each step of progeny testing for Holstein Friesian dairy bulls is different and the effectiveness for selection is the highest when steps of progeny testing for Holstein Friesian dairy bulls fully implemented Chapter LITERATURE REVIEW 1.1 PEDIGREE BASED SELECTION FOR DAIRY BULLS Based on pedigree and phenotype values, as well as the bull and cow genotype, good mothers and fathers were selected to mate with each other in order to get young bulls of high-predicted genetic merit for progeny testing 1.2 INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BASED SELECTION FOR DAIRY BULLS Growth and reproduction traits of HF bulls were used for evaluating in order to select the good bulls for paternal half-sib sister selection step 1.3 SELECTION FOR DAIRY BULLS BY ESTIMATED BREEDING VALUES CALCULATED FROM THE FIRST LACTATION MILK YIELD OF THEIR SISTERS AND DAUGHTERS HF bulls were selected by estimated breeding value of the first lactation milk yield of paternal half-sib sisters and their daughters These two selection steps give high accuracy and efficiency because it bases on the genetic merits of characteristic selection The selection for dairy bulls based on estimated breeding value of the milk potential had done in a long time and obtained great values a In the world Zhang et al (2000), reported that the estimated breeding values (EBV) for milk yield per lactation of HF cows in China ranged from -1.160,29 to +2.052,75 kg of milk In addition, Powell et al (2005) calculated the national EBV for milk yield per lactation of 100 highest milk yield potential bulls from 10 countries and found out that on average, dairy bulls of Canada had the highest EBV for this trait (+1785 kg of milk per lactation) and dairy bulls of Australia had the lowest EBV for this trait (+745 kg of milk per lactation) According to Gonzalez-Recio et al (2005), for bull participating in the international testing, average EBV for milk yield per lactation was +335 kg When using HF bulls from USA and from Ecuador for heifers in Ecuador, Mashhadi et al (2008) found out that if 10% of HF bulls with the highest EBV was selected, EBV of USA HF bulls was +760 kg of milk/lactation and EBV of Ecuador HF bulls was +576 kg of milk/lactation EBVs of bulls in Iran for this trait ranged from -265 to +1287 kg of milk/lactation b In Vietnam Pham Van Gioi (2008) reported that the highest EBV for milk yield per lactation was +1469.5 kg and the lowest EBV was 378.6 kg, with reliability of 67-79% Le Ba Que (2013), estimated that EBV of imported HF bulls from United State and Cuba for the milk yield per the first lactation varied from +36.62 to +1,064.58 kg According to Le Van Thong et al (2013), using data from daughters, EBV of 12 imported HF bulls from United State and Cuba for the milk yield per the first lactation ranged from +53.15 to 1,232.8 kg Using data from parental haf-sib sisters, Le Van Thong et al (2014) also revealed EBV of 15 bulls born in Vietnam for the milk yield per the first lactation ranged ranged from -899.1 to +666.0 kg of milk 1.4 CURRENT SITUATION OF SELECTION FOR DAIRY BULLS 1.4.1 In the world In Japan, dairy bulls have been selected by progeny testing with four steps: 1) The creation of young bulls with a high-predicted genetic merit for progeny testing (fathers and mothers of bulls selected for annual mating; 2) Selection of potential young bulls from data of their phenotype, growth rate and semen quality in individual testing; 3) Creation of daughter herds from semen of selected bulls and 4) Recording the milk yield per lactation of daughters and data analysis In Canada, every year, 400 dairy bull calves from nucleus dairy herds have been chosen and transported to the stations for evaluation and selection In the stations, parameters utilized for evaluation and selection included: growth rate; phenotype, resistance to disease; semen quality, fertility and milk yield of paternal half-sib sisters and daughters 1.4.2 In Vietnam Recently, there have been several studies on selection of HF dairy bulls by the progeny testing However, no study has been completed all steps of the progeny testing For example, from data on growth rate and semen production of young bulls, Le Van Thong et al (2013) selected 20 elite bulls with different ranks (10 HF bulls and 10 Brahman bulls) Nine HF bulls were evaluated and selected from data on the milk production of daughter herds (Le Ba Que, 2013) In another study, Le Van Thong et al (2014) selected HF young bulls using data from pedigree, individual performance and also growth rate of paternal half-sib sisters and daughters Chapter MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1 SUBJECTS, LOCATION AND TIME OF STUDY 2.1.1 The subjects of study Thirty five male calves were born in nuclear herd, which satisfied all standard points of selection for breeding In which, 23 calves were born in Moc Chau Farm (Son La) and 12 calves were born in Dairy Corporation Pioneer (Tuyen Quang) After weaning, the best 15 calves, which have good body condition, high growth rate, breeding soundness, mother milk yield is higher 7,000 kg per lactation and father milk potential is above 12,000 kg of milk, were selected and raised at the Research and Frozen semen production Moncada Station to evaluate and select for breeding 2.1.2 Location and research conditions - Bulls were raised and their semen was collected in Moncada Station for Research and Frozen Semen Production (Tan Linh, Ba Vi, Ha Noi) - 40 - 45 paternal half-sib sisterssisters with complete data of milk yield per the first lactation/bull in Moc Chau and Duc Trong - Lam Dong were used for analysis - 50 daughters of each bull in each locations were selected to ensure that each bull had above 40 daughters, which finished their first lactation Thus, data on the milk yield per first lactation of 40 daughters of each bulls were used for stasistical analysis - Semen of young bulls was collected twice a week - Milk yield was recorded twice a day for whole lactation 2.1.3 Time of study Study was undertaken from January 2006 to December 2013 2.2 SCOPE OF STUDY - CONTENTS 2.2.1 Pedigree based selection for Holstein Friesian bulls - The identification of young bulls of high-predicted genetic merits for progeny testing - The parental milk yield potential of father and mother of breeding male calves - The effectiveness of pedigree based selection 2.2.2 Individual performance based selection for Holstein Friesian bulls - Growth rate of the bulls + Body weight at birth, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age + Cross body length, wither height, chest girth of HF young bulls - Some parameters of semen production of each young bulls: semen volume (V), sperm motility (M), concentration (C), live sperm rate, sperm grade (VMC - total number of forward movement/ejaculate, post-thawing motility (Ap), number of straws produced per standardized ejaculate - Effectiveness of individual performance based selection for Holstein Friesian bulls 2.2.3 Selection for Holstein Friesian bulls by EBV calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their sisters - Milk yield of 305 days lactation and standardized milk yield ( 4% fat in milk) of the paternal half-sib sisters in the first lactation - Milk quality in the first lactation of the paternal half - sibs herd - Estimated breeding values of the first lactation milk yield of their paternal half-sib sisters - Effectiveness of selection for Holstein Friesian bulls by EBV of the first lactation milk yield of their sisters 2.2.4 Selection for Holstein Friesian bulls by EBV calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their daughters - First lactation milk yield 305 days and standardized lactation milk yield of their daughters - Milk quality of daughter herd in the first lactation - Estimated breeding values of the first lactation milk yield of their daughters - Effectiveness of selection for Holstein Friesian bulls by EBV of the first lactation milk yield of their daughters 2.3 METHODS 2.3.1 Pedigree based selection for Holstein Friesian bulls Pedigree based selection for male calves were mainly based on the merit of parents According to Vietnamese standad TCVN 3982-85: mothers of male calves selected as potential bulls had to have: milk yield of more than 7,000 kg/lactation; fat content in milk of eqivalent to or more than 3.5%; protein content in milk of eqivalent to or more than ≥3.0%; and fathers of male calves selected as potential bulls had to have milk yield potential of equavelent to or more than 12000 kg/lactation 2.3.2 Individual performance based selection for Holstein Friesian bulls 2.3.2.1 Growth rate - Body weight was measured at birth (kg) using 100 kg Nhon Hoa scale (made in Vietnam); at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age using an electric scale (Digi-Star US) - Cross body length, wither height, chest girth of HF young bulls were measured using the ruler (Digi-Star US) and tape of Vietnam - Growth rate, body weight of young bulls were evaluated using Decision 1712/QD-BNN-CN (2008, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) as a standard 2.3.2.2 Semen production - Semen volume (V): was measured directly from collecting tube and recorded in ml - Sperm motility (M) was measured using a microscope (Milovanov) - Sperm concentration (C): was measured using colorimetric eqipment (Photomaster SDM5) - Live sperm rate: was measured according to the Milovanov method -Sperm grade (VMC - total number of forward movement/ejaculate) was calculated by multiplying V, A and C - Post-thawing motility (Ap %): 1-2 straws randomly taken for each production day were put in 30 oC water bath in 30 seconds then check sperm motility using a microscope connecting with a computer -Number of straws per standardized ejaculate (straws/ejaculate) were recorded 2.3.3 Selection for Holstein Friesian bulls by EBV calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their sisters 2.3.3.1 First lactation milk yield 305 days and standard milk yield of sisters - 305 day milk yields of the first lactation of paternal half-sib sisters was measured by weighing twice per day, day per month, and then converted to 305 day milk yield of the first lactation (Matsumoto Shigeo, 1992) - Standard milk yield was calculated by converting 305 day milk yields 305 days to % fat milk yiels using the equation (Nguyen Hai Quan et al.,1995) 2.3.3.2 Milk quality in the first lactation of the paternal half - sibs herd Milk fat and protein were analyzed by LCUMA equipment (LactiCheck Ultrasonic Milk Analyzer) 2.3.3.3 Estimated breeding values of milk potential calculated from the first lactation milk yield of the paternal half-sib sisters EBVs of milk potential of each HF bull were calculated from the paternal half-sib sister milk yield using the index selection method 2.3.4 Selection for Holstein Friesian bulls by EBV calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their sisters 2.3.4.1 First lactation 305 day milk yield and standard milk yield of their daughters Measurements were similar to these of sisters 2.3.4.2 Milk quality of daughter herd in the first lactation Bull ID 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 2100 2101 2102 2103 2104 Average Father milk yield potential (kg/lactation) 12,245 12,245 12,868 12,473 12,868 12,473 12,473 15,460 15,460 15,460 12,473 12,473 12,245 12,245 12,245 13,047.07 Mother milk yield Kg/lactation Fat (%) Protein (%) 7,025 7,265 7,500 7,350 7,450 7,600 7,800 8,582 8,786 7,025 7,036 7,045 7,085 7,050 7,125 7,448.27 3.50 3.65 3.60 3.60 3.54 3.50 3.50 3.60 3.50 3.55 3.50 3.62 3.52 3.55 3.50 3.55 3.00 3.35 3.30 3.32 3.15 3.20 3.20 3.22 3.20 3.25 3.25 3.30 3.20 3.20 3.25 3.23 All fifteen HF bulls selected were born in Vietnam Their fathers from United State had a high milk yield potential, and their mothers from a nuclear herd in Moc Chau and Lam Dong Farms 3.1.3 Effectiveness of HF male calves via pedigree selection 15 male calves were selected from 35 HF male calves, meeting requirements for progeny testing Selected calves were better in conformation, growth rate, and reproductive soundness The average milk yield potential of selected calves were 10,247.67 kg/lactation and 79.17 kg (equivalent 0.78%) higher than milk yield potential of 35 HF 3.2 INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BASED SECECTION FOR HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BULLS 3.2.1 Growth rate of the HF bull 3.2.1.1 Body weight 10 Average body weight of HF male calves at birth, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age were 40.27; 192.60; 287.27; 400.13 495.67 kg, respectively According to Decision 1712/QĐ-BNN-CN (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2008), body weight of breeding bull had to be 35-45 kg (at birth), 140-160 kg (6 months), 230-270 kg (12 months), 400-450 kg (24 months) Thus, bulls (ID: 290, 299 and 2100), did not meet the standard weight at 24 month in Decision 1712/QĐ-BNN-CN Table 3.4 Body weight of HF calves (kg) 12 18 Calves ID At birth months months months 290 38 145 238 302 291 41 209 302 430 292 40 208 304 443 293 40 205 300 446 294 39 203 295 407 295 41 208 308 448 296 41 206 305 439 297 42 207 307 432 298 40 207 300 440 299 39 158 247 300 2100 40 160 241 285 2101 39 185 300 385 2102 42 203 285 435 2103 40 190 290 415 2104 42 195 287 395 Average 40.27 192.60 287.27 400.13 11 24 months 365 540 541 519 518 532 540 541 540 370 350 495 545 527 512 495.67 3.2.1.2 Cross body length, wither height, chest girth of HF young bulls Average wither height at 12 and 24 month old of HF young bulls was 125.12cm and 143.93cm,respectively Cross body length at 12 and 24 month old was 135,80cm and 156,07cm, respectively Chest girth at 12 and 24 month old was 154.53 cm and 189.20, respectively After evaluation, 03 HF bulls (ID: 290, 299 and 2100) were eliminated and 12 HF bulls were kept for evaluation of their frozen semen production 3.2.2 Semen production 3.2.2.1 Semen volume Semen volume (V) per ejaculate of each bull in this study was different The highest V was found in bull with ID number 292 (7.02 ml/ejaculate) and the lowest was found in bull with ID number 2101 (3.64ml/ejaculate) Table 3.6 Semen volume of HF bull (ml/ejaculate) V meeting standards for V production Bull ID n Mean SE n Mean SE bc ab 291 100 6.20 0.22 84 6.92 0.18 a a 292 100 7.02 0.14 98 7.11 0.13 293 100 6.35bc 0.14 96 6.40 cd 0.13 d d 294 100 5.57 0.18 88 5.98 0.15 295 100 6.43bc 0.12 100 6.43 cd 0.12 c d 296 100 6.09 0.13 100 6.09 0.13 ab be 297 100 6.67 0.16 100 6.67 0.16 298 100 6.38bc 0.14 100 6.38 cd 0.14 e e 2101 100 3.64 0.16 56 4.72 0.17 cd d 2102 100 5.98 0.15 98 6.05 0.14 2103 100 6.15c 0.13 98 6.23 cd 0.12 cd d 2104 100 5.94 0.17 96 6.10 0.15 Average 1200 6.03 0.05 1114 6.31 0.04 Means in the same colum with different superscripts were statistically significantly different (P[...]... comparision with that of 35 HF bulls at the preselection and at pedigree, individuals, and parental half– sib sisters selection, respectively The accuracy of milk yield potential EBV of HF bulls calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their daughters was high, and varied from 93.39% and 94.06% Table 3.14 Milk yield potential of Holstein Friesian bulls in 4 selection steps and effectiveness for each... cows and economic efficiency of dairy sector in Vietnam 2 RECOMENDATIONS HF bull selection through 4 steps should be applied frequently, continuously in order to select the best HF bulls for frozen semen production and for improvement of productivity and higher economic efficiency of dairy sector Maximum utilization of genetic resources of selected bulls will contribute to improving the milk yield and. .. Effectiveness of bull selection using EBV of milk yield potential of HF bulls calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their daughters On average, milk yield potential of 3 HF bulls selected using EBV of milk yield potential of HF bulls calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their daughters was 11,442.67 kg/lactation, increased by 12.53, 11.66, 10.92, and 6.59% in comparision with that of. .. chest girth of HF young bulls Average wither height at 12 and 24 month old of HF young bulls was 125.12cm and 143.93cm,respectively Cross body length at 12 and 24 month old was 135,80cm and 156,07cm, respectively Chest girth at 12 and 24 month old was 154.53 cm and 189.20, respectively After evaluation, 03 HF bulls (ID: 290, 299 and 2100) were eliminated and 12 HF bulls were kept for evaluation of their... step Milk yield potential of each steps (kg/lactation) Items Number of bulls Comparison (%) Selection Selection Selection Selection based on Selection Selection based on based on based on Pre- Pedigree Individua daughter/ based on based on daughter/ daughter/daughter/ selection selection l selection Selection sisters daughter Pre- Pedigree Individua based on selection selection l selection sisters 35 15... this selection step allowed to select HF bulls, who had a high milk yield potential Three best bulls of six bulls (50%) were selected from 6 HF bulls were selected using EBV of milk yield potential of HF bulls calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their daughters These bulls had a higher EBV varying from +657.83 and +851.54 kg of milk per lactation, and reliability of EBV was high and reanged... potential of 10 HF bulls was 68.83 kg/lactation higher (or increased by 0.67%) than that of 15 HF bulls selected using pedigree based selection Therefore, these 10 bulls were continously selected by their sisters 3.3 SELECTION FOR HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BULLS BY MILK YIELD POTENTIAL EBV CALCULATED FROM FIRST LACTATION MILK YIELD OF THEIR SISTERS 3.3.1 305 day milk yield and 4 % fat milk yield of sisters in the... CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS 1 CONCLUSIONS Fifteen HF bulls were selected from 35 HF bulls by preselection The average milk yield potential of 15 selected HF bulls was 79.17 kg/lactation (or 0.78%) higher than that of 35 HF bulls in the pre- selection Ten HF bulls were selected by individual performance based selection (mainly growth rate and semen quality) from 15 HF bulls selected by pedigree based selection. .. potential of selected bulls by individual performance based selection was 0.67% higher than that of average milk potential of the herd Using EBV of milk yield potential of HF bulls calculated from the first lactation milk yield of their paternal half-sib sisters, the best 6 bulls were selected, accounted for 40% of bull herds selected by pedigree based selection and 60% of bull herd selected by individual... BULLS 3.1.1 Identification of young bulls of high-predicted genetic merit for individual testing 15 male calves of 35 HF male calves meeting all requirement for a progeny testing study were selected (10 male calves born in Moc Chau, accounting for 66.66% and other 5 born in Tuyen Quang, accounting for 33.33%) The remarkable feature of all calves selected was black and white and their average birth weight