Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare mathematical functions in adjusting the mean and individual lactation curve of goats and to estimate genetic and environmental parameters for repeated measures of milk production. 183 lactations were used, 121 of Saanen goats and 62 of Alpine goats, of animals belonging to the Laboratory of goat and Sheep of UFPB/CCHSA. The milk control was performed at intervals of seven days. The adjustment was made to the mean curve using six mathematical functions: inverse polynomial, linear hyperbolic, incomplete gamma, quadratic logarithmic, linear and quadratic, and adjusted by interactive processes through non-linear regression. The criteria used to verify the fit quality for each function were adjusted coefficient of determination (R2a), percentages of deviation between observed and estimated total yields, percentages of typical curves, mean absolute deviation and mean square of residues. It was verified that any of the models tested can be used for mean curve estimates, but for the study of the individual curves, the incomplete gamma model should be preferred because it presents better estimates of the components of the lactation curve.
Keywords:
dairy goats; lactation curve; mathematical models
