Genetic parameters of birth weight trait in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Birth weight data of dromedary calves from the database of one of the world’s largest dairy herds (Dubai, UAE) were analyzed for the period from 2007 to 2018. The assessment included the data of 4124 camel calves that were classified into six ecotypes (Emirate, Emirate crossed, Black, Pakistanian, Saudi-Sudanian, and Saudi crossed). The aim of the study was to describe the heritability of birth weight of calves and the breeding value of sires. Genetic parameters of birth weight were estimated by ANOVA model and two BLUP animal models as well. The mean value of the camel calves’ birth weight was 34.75 ± 5.67 kg. The direct heritability of birth weight (h(2)(d) = 0.09 ± 0.04–0.11 ± 0.03) was rather low, so was the maternal heritability (h(2)(m) = 0.23 ± 0.10–0.50 ± 0.06). The maternal effect from environmental origin (c(2) = 0.23 ± 0.08) far exceeded the results previously calculated in cattle. There was no difference in reliability between BLUP1 and BLUP2 models, and both of them were more accurate than the ANOVA model. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that the birth weight of dromedary calves was more influenced by the dam’s intrauterine rearing capacity and by the environment, management, and feeding of the pregnant female camels than the hereditary growth potential. Considerable differences were found among male dromedaries in their breeding values for the birth weight trait.