Phenotypic diversity and carcass quality of creole goats with genetic potential for resistance to infection caused by worm

Abstract: The objective of this work was to phenotypically characterize creole goats of the Moxotó, Azul, Canindé, Repartida, Marota, and Graúna breeds, comparing them with the Boer, Anglo Nubian, and Alpine exotic breeds, to identify the genetic groups of greater potential for carcass quality and resistance to infection caused by worm. Data on morphometric measurements were obtained for the count of worm eggs in grams of feces (WEGF), Famacha score, carcass measurements, and body weight from 308 animals, in a farm in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Repartida goats showed the highest average for wither height (61.55 cm) and rump height (62.16 cm), and Moxotó goats had the greatest ear length (13.45 cm). The Moxotó breed showed the highest means for carcass and body weight. The lowest average for body weight was observed in Azul goats (24.35 kg), and the lowest WEGF was detected in Repartida goats (200 eggs per gram of feces). The average Famacha score was 2.77. Average linkage was the method that best summarized the information on the morphometric and carcass data. The use of morphometric and carcass measurements provides satisfactory results in the phenotypic characterization of the animals. The Brazilian creole goats, which are considered resistant to worm infection and show high-quality carcass traits, may be indicated for conservation and genetic breeding programs.

摘要：本研究旨在对Moxotó、Azul、Canindé、Repartida、Marota及Graúna品种的克里奥尔山羊（creole goat）进行表型鉴定，并与波尔山羊（Boer）、英努比亚山羊（Anglo Nubian）、阿尔卑斯山羊（Alpine）三个外来品种开展比较，以筛选出兼具优异胴体品质潜力与抗蠕虫感染能力的遗传类群。本研究从巴西皮奥伊州（Piauí）某养殖场的308只受试山羊中，采集了形态学测量数据、每克粪便虫卵数（WEGF）、Famacha评分（Famacha score）、胴体测量数据及体重数据。结果显示，Repartida山羊的肩高（wither height）与臀高（rump height）平均水平均为最高，分别达61.55 cm与62.16 cm；Moxotó山羊的耳长（ear length）最长，为13.45 cm。Moxotó品种的胴体性状与体重平均水平均居首位。Azul山羊的平均体重最低，仅为24.35 kg；而Repartida山羊的每克粪便虫卵数最低，仅为200个/克粪便。本研究中受试山羊的Famacha评分平均值为2.77。平均连接法（average linkage）是最能有效概括形态学与胴体数据信息的聚类方法。利用形态学与胴体测量数据对山羊进行表型鉴定，可获得令人满意的结果。被认为具备抗蠕虫感染能力且胴体性状优良的巴西克里奥尔山羊，可被纳入种质资源保护与遗传选育项目的候选范围。