Estimates of covariance components and genetics parameters for growth traits of in Anglo-Nubian goats

Abstract

Genetic parameters and (co)variance components were estimated for body weight form birth to 112^th day of age of Anglo-Nubian goats from experimental herds of Empresa Estadual de Pesquisa Agropecuária da Paraíba (EMEPA-PB). Covariance components and genetic parameters were estimated by REML using DFREML software, including or not the maternal genetic effect and covariance between direct and maternal genetic effect in the models. Three different animal models were fitted for all traits. Likelihood ratio test indicated that the model including additive direct and maternal effects was the most suitable model for all traits. The exclusion of maternal genetic effect in the model resulted in a substantially inflation of direct heritability estimates. The maternal effects must be included in the analysis for body weight trait in Anglo-Nubian goats in selection program.