Longevity in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Longevity of productive life in dairy cattle is a characteristic difficult to evaluate. This measurement is complicated, in part, because the phenotype is expressed late in the life of the animal, but also because the methods of evaluation are complex. The molecular bases of longevity are still far from being fully understood, although some genes begin to be associated with this characteristic. In this short communication will be discussed the criteria for selection in dairy cattle and to report some studies evaluate the molecular bases of longevity; your progress and current perspectives of selection by genic information.