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Inbreeding and inbreeding depression in Irish Holstein-Friesian cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

S. Mc Parland ,
J.F. Kearney ,
M. Rath  and
D.P. Berry
S. Mc Parland*
Affiliation:
Teagasc, Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
J.F. Kearney
Affiliation:
Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
M. Rath
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine, UCD, Dublin 4, Ireland
D.P. Berry
Affiliation:
Teagasc, Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
*
Email:[email protected]
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Extract

Inbreeding occurs when related individuals are mated to each other. Inbreeding reduces milk production, and impairs health, fertility and survival; a phenomenon known as inbreeding depression. Smith et al. (1998) reported losses in milk yield of 27 kg per 1% increase in inbreeding in US Holsteins. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of inbreeding in Irish Holstein-Friesian cattle and to quantify its effect on milk, fat and protein production and somatic cell count.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2007 , April 2007 , pp. 63
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2007

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References

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