Evaluation of the correlation between predicted breeding value indicators of cowsand Anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations

Today, dairy farming is inextricably linked with the development of new breeding, genetic, and biotechnological approaches. In recent years, the use of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a biomarker of embryo productivity and ovarian reserve has become particularly relevant in research. However, insufficient attention has been paid to studying the relationship between breeding value and the level of this biomarker in the blood.

Objective: to evaluate the correlation between predicted breeding value indicators in Holstein cows and AMH concentrations.Materials and Methods: First-lactation Holstein cows from a breeding farm in the Leningrad Region, selected as embryo donors (n=11), served as the study's sample. The study examined the correlation between predicted breeding value traits (64 selection indices), actual productivity, and AMH levels in the blood.

Results. A reliable correlation was established between AMH and milk yield (r=-0.68), metritis resistance (METR) (r=0.60) and fertility indices: pregnancy rate (DPR) (r=0.61) and duration of pregnancy (GL) (r=-0.84). Reliable correlations were noted between AMH and exterior indices: stature (r=-0.80), dairy form (r=-0.64), thurl width (r=-0.81), udder furrow (r=-0.72), rear teat placement (r=-0.64). Despite the sample size limitations of this study, preliminary conclusions can be drawn regarding the feasibility of determining AMH levels in cattle serum, along with other diagnostic tests, for animal selection.

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