Assessing direct-maternal genetic components ability for addressing the variation of birth to maturity weights in Markhoz goat

Meat is one ofthe mostimportantsubsistencesourcesof human nutrition. In genetic analyses, accurate estimation of the breeding values of direct and maternal components areboth of the most importantfactors to maximize response to meat selection.A total of ۶۱,۲۸۳ body weight records between birth and ۴۰۰ days of age obtained from ۳,۴۷۶ Markhoz kids were used in order to estimate variance components and genetic trends of direct and maternal genetic effects. Kids were progeny of ۲۲۳ bucks and ۱,۲۱۷ does raised in Markhoz goat breeding station. The fixed effects were gender, year of birth (۱۹۹۲-۲۰۱۴), age of dam (two to seven years old)and type ofbirth (single or twin). Random regression models based on Legendre polynomials of age at recording included direct and maternal genetic and permanent environmental effects.Heterogeneous residual variances were considered along age of recording.