EJPAU 2012. Kołodziejczyk D. ANALYSIS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF BREEDING WORK AND ESTIMATION OF GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC TRENDS OF CONFORMATION TRAITS IN SELECTED VARIETIES OF COLOURED AMERICAN MINK

Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

2012
Volume 15
Issue 3/volume15

Topic:

Animal Husbandry

ELECTRONIC
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AGRICULTURAL
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Kołodziejczyk D. 2012. ANALYSIS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF BREEDING WORK AND ESTIMATION OF GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC TRENDS OF CONFORMATION TRAITS IN SELECTED VARIETIES OF COLOURED AMERICAN MINK, EJPAU 15(3/volume15), #02.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume15/issue3/volume15/abs-02.html

ANALYSIS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF BREEDING WORK AND ESTIMATION OF GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC TRENDS OF CONFORMATION TRAITS IN SELECTED VARIETIES OF COLOURED AMERICAN MINK

Dorota Kołodziejczyk
Department of Breeding Methods and Poultry and Small Ruminant Breeding Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanitaries

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to analyse the effectiveness of breeding for conformation traits in American mink as well as estimate genetic and phenotypic trends in the traits. Minks of the standard, pastel and palomino varieties were examined. They were raised at two breeding farms situated in north-western Poland. The analysis included a 10-year period of breeding and was performed on 3583 animals. Assessment was made of mink body weight, size, colour purity and fur quality as well as total point score.

Using the statistical package SAS, genetic parameters were determined for each trait in addition to phenotypic and genetic trends. Average values of the traits calculated for individual years were used to determine phenotypic trends whereas genetic trends were determined based on breeding values estimated by the BLUP method.

Of the traits analysed, fur colour purity tended to be the most prone to selection. The heritability of this trait was 0.33. The strongest genotypic associations were between mink body weight and body size (0.74), the phenotypic correlation of the traits being much lower than the genotypic one (0.21). The difference may indicate that there was a substantial influence of genetic factors on the traits analysed.

Genetic trend lines for conformation traits reflected an increasing tendency, which may indicate that selection for the traits was effective. Unlike genetic trends, phenotypic trends were relatively stable, their lines displaying a downward tendency, however. This, in turn, indicates a need to change the selection system and methods of breeding work on farms.

Key words: American Mink, Conformation Traits, Heritability, Genotypic and Phenotypic Correlations, Phenotypic Trends, Genetic Trends.

Dorota Kołodziejczyk
Department of Breeding Methods and Poultry and Small Ruminant Breeding
Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanitaries
tel: +48-25-643-1354
Prusa 14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
email: dormark1@wp.pl

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