The aim of this study was to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations and genetic trends of morphological characteristics and type of Saanen goats born in Brazil from 1979 to 2009. Data from 1243 goats, 197 males and 1046 females were used to estimate genetic parameters and trends for the following traits: girth, body length, wither height, height, width and rump length, and the main traits that define the breed standard and ability of the animal (shoulder and topline, limbs and feet, dairy type, body capacity, mammary gland, linking front and rear, texture of the udder, teats and note). Variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood multi-trait analysis. Genetic trends were obtained by regression of mean breeding values by year of birth. The heritability estimates of morphological and functional traits ranged from 0.08 to 0.45, the genetic correlations from -0.58 to 0.89 and phenotypes from -0.11 to 0.87. The trend was a slight decline over the years for most traits, which shows the existence of additive genetic variability among animals, but it demonstrates that the selection practiced has been ineffective.
correlation; heritability; morphology; genetic tendency
