Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Reproductive Traits between First and Later Parities

North Carolina State University Swine Genetics Research from 2004-2005 Separation of gilt and sow records as different reproductive traits should be considered because females differ in physiological development of reproductive organs at differing parity. If repeatability is high, that is, the correlations between parities are highly related, it would be desirable that all parities be considered as one trait. However, if repeatability is low it is appropriate that measures from differing parities be analyzed as independent traits including. A second reason would be because the analyses are more accurate and computationally faster. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters between the first and later parities as different traits for reproductive traits of pigs using multiple traits animal model.