Abstract

CALDERON-CHAGOYA, Rene et al. Genetic selection aimed to reduce methane emissions and its effect on milk components. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2021, vol.12, n.1, pp.1-17.  Epub Sep 20, 2021. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v12i1.5347.

This study aimed to estimate the response to selection through different selection indices between methane production and milk production and its components in specialized tropical, dual-purpose, and family dairy systems. Methane emissions were sampled during milking using the Guardian-NG gas monitor; milk samples were collected individually during methane sampling. DNA was extracted from the hair follicles of all the animals included in this study. The variance and covariance components were estimated using the mixed model methodology. Due to the incomplete genealogical information, molecular markers were used to build the genomic relationship matrix (Matrix G). The estimated heritability for methane emissions during milking was 0.18 and 0.32 for the univariate and bivariate analysis, respectively. The genetic correlation between the milk fat and protein percentages and methane emissions during milking was negative, -0.09 and -0.18, respectively. The response to selection, estimated through selection indices, demonstrated that it is feasible to reduce methane emissions up to 0.021 mg/L during milking in five generations without detriment to milk components.

Keywords : Methane; Milk; Heritability; Genetic correlation.

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