Phenotypic correlations between productive characteristics in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) of the Peru breed

The objective of this study was to determine the phenotypic correlations between productive characteristics of guinea pigs of the Peru breed, located at 3676 meter above sea level in the highlands of Peru, using productive records of 703 guinea pigs (215 females and 488 males) from the Guinea Pig Genetic Improvement Program (PMGC) of the National University of Huancavelica (UNH), Peru, were used. The correlations that were estimated were from the respective interactions between the following parameters: birth weight (PNA), litter weight at birth (PCN), weaning weight (PDE), litter weaning weight (PCD), weight at a month (P1M), weight at two months (P2M), weight at three months (P3M), weight before death (PAM) and carcass weight (PCA). The correlations were estimated using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression with the statistical program R. The phenotypic correlations obtained between the productive characters were positive and high in the majority, highlighting the correlation between PCA and PAM (0.90), PCD and PCN (0.80), P3M and P2M (0.75), P1M and PDE (0.72) and PDE and PNA (0.63). These results are favorable for the optimization of selection criteria in genetic improvement programs. On the other hand, phenotypic correlations tend to be higher between close measurements and lower between far measurements.