Genetic parameters for behavioral and growth traits of Nellore cattle.

The growing concern of consumers with the welfare of production animals searches welfare in a production system extremely important; thus, the study of animal temperament is necessary to select less excitable temperament animals resulting in healthy development and fewer accidents. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for traits related to animal temperament and growth traits of Nellore cattle. In addition to exploring the genetic pattern of these traits through cluster and principal component analysis (PCA), to reveal possible groups of individuals that express less excitable temperament and greater growth.

Genotype by Prenatal Environment Interaction for Postnatal Growth of Nelore Beef Cattle Raised under Tropical Grazing Conditions.

The prenatal environment is recognized as crucial for the postnatal performance in cattle. In tropical regions, pregnant beef cows commonly experience nutritional restriction during the second half of the gestation period. Thus, the present study was designed to analyze the genotype by prenatal environment interaction (G × Epn) and to identify genomic regions associated with the level and response in growth and reproduction-related traits of beef cattle to changes in the prenatal environment.