The Azawak zebu bred at the Toukounous experimental centre in Niger: reproduction performance and estimation of genetic parameters.

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of the reproductive performance of the Azawak zebu, bred on station during the period 1981 to 2007, in order to contribute to the implementation of an effective selection programme for improving the zootechnical performance of cattle herds. The data contained records of 2453 calvings from 650 Azawak cows, daughters of 55 bulls, all bred at the Toukounous experimental centre (Niger). Non-genetic factors were evaluated using linear mixed models and genetic parameters were estimated using REML procedures with a multi-trait animal model. The effects of year and calving rank were significant (P < 0.001) for the three reproductive traits studied. Heritability was low for age at first calving (h = 0.09 ± 0.03) and calf birth weight (h = 0.07 ± 0.03). It was moderate for calving interval (h = 0.30 ± 0.04) indicating the possibility of genetic improvement of this trait by selection. Repeatability estimates for calf birth weight and calving interval were 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.42 ± 0.03 respectively. Calving interval had very strong and significant genetic correlations with age at first calving (0.84 ± 0.08) and calf birth weight (-0.40 ± 0.20). There was also a significantly favourable genetic correlation between calf weight at birth and age at first calving (-0.32 ± 0.25), implying a simultaneous improvement in all three reproductive traits through selection. An increase in heritability of calf birth weight was observed after the active phase of the program, reflecting an overly open selection scheme. These genetic parameter estimates suggest that the three reproductive traits could be used in selection index with the aim to improve the three reproductive traits of Azawak cattle.