Hematocrit is an indirect method used to monitor ascites, which might be used also on body weight and reproductive traits evalution in broiler chickens. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the micro-hematocrit technique on body weight and reproductive traits (fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs and overall hatchability) possibiliting its aplication by poultry genetic breeding programs. Two contrasting groups were established based on phenotypic selection from 630 males and females of 18 genotypes to hematocrit characteristic. This work used […]

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the Nellore breed in Brazil with respect to the phenotypic and genetic variation of the mature size of cows. The observations were taken from 34 herds of eleven different beef cattle production regions in the country. There were considered cows of the horned and polled varieties, raised on pastures, from herds that had at least 50 cows. With these restrictions it was formed a general file with 6,867 cows with valid […]

With respect to beef cattle breeding, the emphasis devoted by researchers, beef cattle producers and beef cattle experts has been, in general, focused on identification, evaluation and selection of sires. Little attention has been given to the pathway used to spread the genes from such sires throughout the population as a whole. The reported low annual genetic progress observed in several herds might suggest that, in spite of having some success in promoting genetic improvement as observed in isolated herds, […]