Abstract
This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters and genetic trends for growth, reproductive traits, and inbreeding levels in Dawuro sheep. Data on the studied traits were collected between 2017 and 2022.The genetic parameters were estimated by fitting different univariate models, considering/ignoring maternal effects, using WOMBAT software. The estimated direct heritability obtained from the best-fit models were 0.07±0.03, 0.16 ± 0.04, 0.45 ± 0.27, 0.21 ± 0.07, and 0.48 ± 0.04 for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3WT), 6-month weight (6WT), average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADG1), and average daily gain from weaning to 6 months of age (ADG2), respectively. The estimated direct heritability for litter size (LS), lambing interval (LI), and annual reproductive rate (ARR) were 0.10 ± 0.10, 0.001 ± 0.10, and 0.09 ± 0.49, respectively. The trait selected for improvement was 6WT, which exhibited a positive genetic trend and moderate heritability estimates. Positive genetic trend suggests the potential for further enhancement of post-weaning lamb growth traits.
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