Genetic parameters for growth reproductive, carcass and meat quality in Polled Nellore Cattle

Abstract Genetic parameters were estimated for scrotal circumference adjusted to 365 (SC365) and 450 (SC450) days of age, age at first calving (AFC), accumulated productivity (AP), stayability (STAY), loin eye area (LMA), thickness of subcutaneous fat over the 12th-13th ribs (BF), thickness of subcutaneous fat over the rump (RF), and shear force measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of polled Nellore cattle. Bayesian analysis bi characteristics were performed by adopting linear animal model, whereas STAY analyzes used the linear threshold model. Heritability estimates were equal to 0.31 (SC365), 0.37 (SC450), 0.16 (AFC), 0.25 (AP), 0.16 (STAY), 0.30 (LMA), 0.13 (BF), 0.24 (RF), and 0.15 (WBSF), indicating moderate response to selection. Genetic and residual correlations between SC365 and SC450 were high and positive (0.91 and 0.74, respectively), as well as the genetic correlations of AP with SC365, SC450, AFC, and STAY (0.61, 0.62, -0.69, and 0.83, respectively). Genetic and residual correlations of WBSF with reproductive and carcass characteristics exhibited high standard deviations, however favorable.