Variability in gastrointestinal parasite resistance and productivity in Angora goats

Abstract

Data were collected from 430 Angora kids over a period of 2 years for estimation of genetic parameters for production traits, and phenotypic correlations between production and gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) resistance. Mohair traits were moderately heritable (0.37 to 0.55), with generally higher heritability estimates than for body weights (0.19 to 0.24). Faecal egg count had negative and low phenotypic correlations with body weight at all ages of measurements (-0.14 to -0.22). The correlation between other potential marker traits for resistance (Ab, EOS & PCV) and productivity were inconsistent and close to 0.