Exploring udder functional morphology in nucleus herd Cyprus Damascus goats and its effects on milk yield

The growing interest in increasing milk yield in dairy goats and concurrently environmental concerns and societal demands, favor more sustainable farming. In this study, we aimed to detect the effects of quantitative and qualitative udder morphological parameters on milk yield in order to develop a weighted index that could predict milk yield in Cyprus Damascus goats from a nucleus herd. We recorded morphological parameters from goats during lactation (N = 84) and during their dry period (N = 72). For milk yield, data for three consecutive years (2022-2024) were used. Teat positioning in dry individuals, was the only qualitative parameter deemed significant for milk yield, with teats positioned horizontally having positive effects on milk yield. Morphological parameter evaluation showed that the dry group maintained more stable udder morphology and further analyses were focused on this group. Udder morphometry was significantly different across different age groups; therefore, age groups were analyzed separately to define their morphometric index. Moreover, we detected different effects for each age group; for younger individuals, teat-related parameters appeared significant, while for older individuals, parameters of the lower udder were deemed significant. The developed weighted indices for each age group provided accurate predictions, given the complexity and multivariability of biological functional systems. The proposed indices can be used as the basis for further exploration of traceable morphological correlations in younger goats, with bigger samples and incorporation of genetic data. Such an approach may provide a highly effective method to assist sustainable dairy goat breeding programs.