Thandazani Ndhlovu - Department of Statistics and Operations Research, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC ۹۳۹ Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Amon Masache - Department of Statistics and Operations Research, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC ۹۳۹ Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Hausitoe Nare - Department of Statistics and Operations Research, National University of Science and Technology, Box AC ۹۳۹ Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Never Assan - Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, Zimbabwe Open University, Bulawayo Region, Box ۳۵۵۰, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Direct and indirect effects of seven predictor variables (withers height, body length, heart girth, shoulder width, head width, rump width and rump length) on body weight of ۱۰۹ Matabele goats, ۴۷ females and ۶۲ males, were investigated using path analysis. Sex-associated difference was significant (P<۰.۰۵) only for withers height, with higher value recorded for female goats. Pairwise correlations between body weight and zoometrical traits ranged from ۰.۴۲۰-۰.۹۶۶ and ۰.۵۰۷-۰.۹۵۹ for male and female goats, respectively. The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was the strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of ۰.۸۱ and ۰.۸۷ in males and females, respectively). Head width (males) and body length (females) also positively (P<۰.۰۵) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant as revealed by the t-test. These traits were indirectly realized mostly via heart girth. Thus, they were expunged from the final regression equations to obtain much more simplified prediction models. The optimum multiple regression equation included heart girth with a determination coefficient (R۲) of ۰.۹۳۹. Forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes.Direct and indirect effects of seven predictor variables (withers height, body length, heart girth, shoulder width, head width, rump width and rump length) on body weight of ۱۰۹ Matabele goats, ۴۷ females and ۶۲ males, were investigated using path analysis. Sex-associated difference was significant (P<۰.۰۵) only for withers height, with higher value recorded for female goats. Pairwise correlations between body weight and zoometrical traits ranged from ۰.۴۲۰-۰.۹۶۶ and ۰.۵۰۷-۰.۹۵۹ for male and female goats, respectively. The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was the strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of ۰.۸۱ and ۰.۸۷ in males and females, respectively). Head width (males) and body length (females) also positively (P<۰.۰۵) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant as revealed by the t-test. These traits were indirectly realized mostly via heart girth. Thus, they were expunged from the final regression equations to obtain much more simplified prediction models. The optimum multiple regression equation included heart girth with a determination coefficient (R۲) of ۰.۹۳۹. Forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes.

Body dimensions, Path analysis, Zoometrical traits