%0 Journal Article
	%A R. Pesce Delfino and  M. Selvaggi and  G. V. Celano and  C. Dario
	%D 2011
	%J International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
	%B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
	%I Open Science Index 54, 2011
	%T Heritability Estimates of Lactation Traits in Maltese Goat
	%U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/2749
	%V 54
	%X Data on 657 lactation from 163 Maltese goat,
collected over a 5-year period were analyzed by a mixed model to
estimate the variance components for heritability. The considered
lactation traits were: milk yield (MY) and lactation length (LL). Year,
parity and type of birth (single or twin) were significant sources of
variation for lactation length; on the other hand milk yield was
significantly influenced only by the year. The average MY was
352.34 kg and the average LL was 230 days. Estimates of heritability
were 0.21 and 0.15 for MY and LL respectively. These values
suggest there is low correlation between genotype and phenotype so
it may be difficult to evaluate animals directly on phenotype. So, the
genetic improvement of this breed may be quite slow without the
support of progeny test aimed to select Maltese breeders.
	%P 362 - 364