Expected Genetic Gain for Selection of Preweaning Growth Traits in Egyptian Buffaloes

Data on 1946 buffalo calves born between 2000 and 2016 at Mahallet Mousa farms belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, were utilized in this study. Genetic parameters of birth weight (BW), preweaning daily gain (PWDG) and weaning weight (WW) were estimated using MTDFREML. The different selection indices for previous traits were constructed by Matlab program. Means of BW, PDWG and WW were 37.40 kg, 493.53 g and 90.37 kg, respectively. The heritability estimates for above-mentioned traits were 0.24, 0.26 and 0.29, respectively. The genetic correlations among the mentioned growth traits were ranged from 0.18 to 0.79. Corresponding phenotypic correlations among same traits were ranged from 0.13 to 0.48. The expected genetic gains for direct selection of BW, PWDG and WW were varied between 0.23 -1.18 kg, 10.80 – 23.74 g and 0.50 -3.06 kg, respectively. Comparison among selection indices indicated that the highest expected genetic gains for PWDG (8.73 g) and WW (3.50 kg) were obtained from the index I 4 included (PDWG and WW). Moreover, the accuracy of this index was closest to the highest index of accuracy. Thus, selection based on index I 4 could be improve the response of aggregate genotype for preweaning growth traits of Egyptian buffalo calves.