In this study 11,310 visual score measurements of navel characteristic, collected from bovines, were used. Visual scores for navel (NS), ranged from 1 (the longest) to 5 (the shortest). Variance components, genetic parameters and genetic correlations between navel characteristic of 18-month old animals and growth characteristics (weaning weight -WW and weight gain from weaning to over year -WG345) were estimated using a two-traits animal model. Heritability estimates were 0.31 (NS) abd 0.14 (WG345), and the genetic correlation estimates were: -0.05 (NS×WW) and 0.14 (WW×WG345) and the estimated correlation between navel (female) ´ navel (male) was 0.80. Score navel can be object of selection and selection for shorter navel does not apparently significantly affect animal performance for WW and WG345.
genetic parameters; navel score; Nellore; animal model; growth
