In order to estimate genetic parameters for swine carcasses traits, data of dressing percentage (DP), carcass length by Brazilian method (CLBM) and American method (CLAM), average backfat thickness (ABT), backfat thickness at 6.5 cm from the dorsal line (P2), loin eye area (LEA), lean:fat ratio (LFR), ham yield (HY), lean, fat and lean cuts yields (LY, FY and LCY), fat weight:lean weight ratio (FLR), and lean tissue growth rate (LTGR) obtained from 711 swine of the Large White breed, were used. (Co)variances components were estimated by the Restricted Maximum Likelyhood Method (REML) including in the model fixed effects of sex and contemporary group, and random effects of animal. Covariables "slaughter weight" for DP and "cold carcass weight" for CLBM, CLAM, ABT, P2, LEA and LFR, were used. For DP, CLBM, CLAM, ABT, P2, LEA, LFR, HY, LY, FY, LCY, FLR and LTGR, the estimates of h² were 0.39, 0.34, 0.19, 0.17, 0.16, 0.27, 0.15, 0.12, 0.45, 0.36, 0.32, 0.39 and 0.37, respectively. Backfat thickness, P2 and LFR were the most genetically correlated traits with the carcass fat and meat contents and LEA, CLAM and HY showed intermediary values. In general, the same trend was observed for the phenotypic correlations. LEA and LFR showed greatest genetic and phenotypic correlation with LTGR, concluding that there is improve of animal carcass quality and the lean production rate through selection.
genetic parameter; REML; swine; carcass
