Heritability Estimates in Beef Cattle Based on Identical and Fraternal Twin Data

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Abstract
Heritability estimates of growth and production traits based on 18 pairs of fraternal twins and 12 pairs of identical twin Hereford heifers are presented. The twins were collected from beef cattle herds throughout the midwest and placed on a uniformity trial. Estimates were made by two methods: the intraclass correlation of identical twins, and using the intrapair variances of both identical and fraternal twins. For most traits both methods yielded estimates larger than those reported from non-twin data. The greatest discrepancies were for traits expressed early in life. These differences are discussed in terms of greater environmental control achieved in twin studies, nonadditive genetic variation and maternal influence. Copyright © 1965. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1965 by American Society of Animal Science

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