Genetic parameters of type appraisal in Saanen and Alpine goats

Abstract

Genetic parameters for linear type traits, scored from 1 to 9, were estimated using data corresponding to 7821 Saanen and 11 494 Alpine first kidders sired by artificial insemination bucks and classified between 1995 and 1999 by the French Breeders’Association “Caprigene”. Studied variables included six traits related to body, feet and legs, and 11 traits related to udder and teats. Animal size, measured here as the thorax perimeter, had high heritability (0.41 for Saanen and 0.50 for Alpine). Feet and legs traits had low heritabilities (0.05 to 0.16) but udder traits and teat location traits had moderate heritabilities of about 0.30 and teat dimension traits had heritabilities over 0.40. Low genetic correlations were found between, on one hand, body, feet and legs traits and, on the other hand, udder and teat traits. These traits can be grouped according to estimated genetic correlations into: suspensory system, teat location and teat dimension. Most correlations between estimated breeding values (EBVs) for type traits and EBVs for milk yield were low, the exception being the antagonistic association found between EBVs for milk yield and suspensory system traits.