Maternal effects and its importance in the genetic evaluations of preweaning live weight traits of beef cattle. A review

• Published in: Tropical animal health and production Vol. 56; no. 8; p. 260
• Main Authors: Javier, Estrada-León Raciel, Gabriel, Magaña-Monforte Juan, Candelario, Segura-Correa José, Manuel, Parra-Bracamonte Gaspar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-11-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis of covariance; Animal models; Animals; Beef; Beef cattle; Biological effects; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Body Weight; Breeding; Cattle; Cattle - genetics; Cattle production; Error analysis; Female; Genetic effects; Genetics; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Life Sciences; Maternal & child health; Maternal effects; Maternal Inheritance; Models, Genetic; Offspring; Phenotype; Phenotypes; Reviews; Veterinary Medicine/Veterinary Science; Weaning; Zoology; Genetic covariance; Heritability; Genetic model; Bovine; Direct maternal antagonism; Growth
• ISSN: 0049-4747; 1573-7438; 1573-7438
• DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04142-4

Maternal effects in cattle genetics are defined as the causal influence of the phenotype or maternal genotype on the offspring’s phenotype by effects occurring when the genetic and environmental characteristics of the mother influence the phenotype of the offspring beyond the direct inheritance of genes. Its relevance has been strongly described in genetic models focused on the genetic improvement of preweaning traits in cow-calf beef cattle production systems. Here, basic concepts and the importance of maternal effects when using linear and animal model procedures for genetic evaluations of growth and live-weight traits in beef cattle are reviewed and discussed. A brief history of estimation methods from classical studies to recent studies used for the development of animal models for studying maternal effects is also provided. Some important biometric concepts for maternal effect estimation are described, and the antagonism between direct genetic effects and maternal effects, its biological basis, and sources of error in the estimation of direct genetic and maternal covariance are discussed. Finally, some genomic perspectives are presented.