GENETIC PARAMETERS FOR GROWTH TRAITS OF SANTA INES SHEEP USING GIBBS SAMPLING

ABSTRACT: This study sought to estimate (co)variance and genetic parameters for birth weight (BWT) and weaning weight (WWT) in Santa Ines sheep. A total of 2,111 records were obtained from EMBRAPA/CPATC experimental herds, dating from the years 1998 to 2008. (Co)variance parameters were obtained through a two-trait analysis with the Gibbs sampling algorithm using the MTGSAM program. The mixed model included the environmental effects of sex, contemporary group and type of birth, in addition to residual, direct and maternal additive effects. Mean estimates of direct heritability for BWT and WWT were 0.25 and 0.09, respectively. Mean estimates of maternal heritability were 0.34 for BWT and 0.24 for WWT. The genetic correlation between BWT and WWT was 0.14. The results suggest that breeding Santa Ines sheep for meat production must take into consideration direct and maternal additive genetic effects.