Principal component analysis for evaluating a ranking method used in the performance testing in sheep of Morada Nova breed

Abstract

A multivariate approach was adopted to evaluate the relationship among traits measured in the performance testing of Morada Nova sheep, verify the efficiency of a ranking method used in these tests and identify the most significant traits for use in future analyses. Data from 150 young rams participating in five versions of the performance tests for the Morada Nova breed were used. Twenty traits were measured in each animal: initial weight (IW), final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADG), loin eye area (LEA), scrotal circumference (SC), fat thickness (FT), conformation (C), precocity (Pc), muscularity (M), breed features (BF), legs (L), withers height (WH), chest width (CW), rump height (RH), rump width (RW), rump length (RL), body length (BL), body depth (BD), heart girth (HG) and body condition scoring (BCS). The Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged from -0.10 to 0.93, with the highest correlations were between body weight variables and morphometric measurements. The three first principal components explained 72.28% of the total variability among all traits. The variables related to animal size defined the first principal component, whereas those related to visual appraisal and suitability for meat production defined the second and third principal components, respectively. The combination of traits from the principal component analysis showed that the ranking method currently used in the performance testing of Morada Nova sheep is efficient for selecting larger rams with better breed features and higher degrees of specialization for meat production.