Analysis of the non-genetic factors affecting the growth of Segureno sheep

作者：Lupi Teresa M^*; Nogales Sergio; Leon Jose M; Barba Cecilio; Delgado Juan V

来源：Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2015, 14(1): 3683.

DOI：10.4081/ijas.2015.3683

• Growth
• Interactions
• Multifactorial analysis
• Sex

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of non-genetic factors on the growth behaviour of Segurena sheep breed. Growth related data (early weaning weight, late weaning weight and weight at 80 days of age) were taken from 59,704 lambs belonging to historical data from National Association of Segureno Sheep Breeders (ANCOS) during a period of 11 years. Statistical analyses were performed by using the multifactorial analysis of variance of IBM SPSS Statistics v. 19 software. The model included non-genetic factors - lamb sex (S), birth season (N), herd (H), birth year (A) and birth type (P) - as main effects, the dam's age at lambing and the lamb's age when weighed as covariables, and the interactions between these factors. Results showed that all weights at developmental stages were significantly (P<0.001) affected by all factors, except for A and the covariable age of dams at lambing on lambs aged 80 days. Double interactions HxA, HxP and HxN were significant (P<0.001) for all variables, as well as the triple interaction HxAxP. Non-genetic factors have a very important role in the development and growth of the Segurena sheep breed, at different ages or growth stages, therefore a correction is necessary to increase the accuracy of direct selection on lamb weight at early weaning, late weaning and at slaughtering (80 days of age).

• 出版日期2015