Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates of morphometric traits in Sudandesert goats

摘要

This studydescribes phenotypic and genetic potential of morphometric traits of Sudan desert goats. ALSML (Least Square and Maximum Likelihood) program package was used to analyze the data.Linear body measurements (Height at wither, body length, heart girth and paunchcircumference) of 343 male and female goats aged from birth to 12th month were estimated.Average ranges were 30.04-52.10, 25.45-46.17, 30.25-63.78 and 30.86-67.90 cm for height atwither, body length, heart girth and paunch circumference respectively. Means of the traitsmeasured were significantly (P<0.01) different among ages. Heritability estimates for linearbody measurements ranged 0.10-0.48. The average range of genetic correlations among bodymeasurements from sire component was 0.36–0.96, and that from dam component was0.30–0.99. Results showed an average range of phenotypic correlations of 0.16-0.70 amongbody measurements at various ages. Sire and dam showed significant effects on bodymeasurements at age from birth to twelve month. Based on the magnitude of the geneticcorrelation coefficients, height at wither and heart girth could be used for predicting liveweight of the animal.