Estimation the Genetic Parameters for Milk Production and Reproduction Traits in Carpatina Goat Breed

Introduction: Interest in preserving and improving local goat breeds worldwide has increased in recent decades. Aims: The objective of the present study was to estimate the genetic parameters for milk yield and reproductive traits in a population of Carpatina goats. Materials and Methods: Data records from 1517 goats were used in this study. An animal model was applied for reproductive traits, and a random regression test-day animal model was used for daily milk yield. Results: The mean age at first kidding was 498.54 ± 4.07 days, the mean litter size at first parity was 1.45 ± 0.01, and the mean kidding interval was 366.39 ± 1.10 days. Heritability estimates in the Carpatina breed were low for litter size (0.05), age at first kidding (0.09), and kidding interval (0.08). The dataset for daily milk yield included 4,551 test-day records. Mean daily milk yield was 1.19 ± 0.01 kg at 78 days, 1.20 ± 0.01 kg at 108 days, and 1.21 ± 0.01 kg at 140 days of lactation. Heritability for test-day milk yield increased toward the end of lactation. Conclusion: The animal model was appropriate for estimating genetic parameters of reproductive traits, and the random regression test-day model was suitable for analysing daily milk yield in the Carpatina goat breed.