Genetic parameters for somatic cell score, milk yield and type traits in Nigerian Dwarf goats

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to estimate multi-trait genetic parameters for somatic cell score (SCS), milk yield and type traits in Nigerian Dwarf (ND) goats from the United States. METHODS: Data from 1,041 ND goats in the United States with kiddings in 95 herds were used to estimate multi-trait genetic parameters for SCS, milk (MILK), fat (FAT), and protein (PROT) yields, and 14 type traits. An 18-trait mixed linear animal model for lactation mean SCS (Log(2)), MILK, FAT, PROT, and 14 type traits was applied. A factor analytic approach (FA1) in ASReml software was used to obtain convergence. RESULTS: Averages for SCS were low (2.85±1.29 Log(2)), and were 314±110.6, 20.9±7.4, and 14±4.9 kg, respectively, for MILK, FAT, and PROT. Heritabilities for SCS, MILK, FAT, and PROT were 0.32, 0.16, 0.16, and 0.10, respectively. The highest heritabilities for type traits were for stature (0.72), teat diameter (0.49), and rump width (0.48), and the lowest estimates were for dairyness (0.003) and medial suspensory ligament (0.03). Genetic correlations of SCS with MILK, FAT, and PROT were positive but low (0.25, 0.18, and 0.23, respectively). Genetic and phenotypic correlations between MILK, FAT, and PROT were high and positive (≥0.66). Absolute values of genetic correlations involving SCS with type traits were generally low or no different from zero. Most of the phenotypic correlations involving SCS with type traits were low. No serious unfavorable genetic correlations between milk yield traits and SCS or between milk yield traits or SCS and type traits were found. CONCLUSION: Genetic variation exists in the ND breed for most studied traits. The development of selection programs based on these estimates may help accelerate favorable multi-trait genetic changes in this breed.