The effect of sire line on growth, ambulating in novel environment and maze learning in heifers

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of sire's lineage on live body growth, movement in open-field arena and time of acrossing the maze of heifers. 54 Holstein heifers, which descended from 7 sires, were used. The highest growth from the birth to 21 months was found in the progeny of sire D, the lowest growth in daughters of sire line B (0.74 ± 0.05 kg vs. 0.62 ± 0.08 kg; P < 0.01). Number of crossed squares in open-field tests did not vary significantly among sire lines. Significant differences were found among sires in the time across of the maze (P < 0.01). Daughters after F and E sires solved the maze more quickly then the others. We found significant relationships between a number of crossed squares during 5 minute open-field test and daily weight gains from the birth to the 6th month of life (r = 0.3712** at the age of 16 weeks and r = 0.3792** at the age of 18 months). Under consideration of the low number of animals analyses showed, that sire's lineage has impact on the growth and maze behaviour.