Inbreeding effects on some reproductive traits in Markhoz goats

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the inbreeding coefficient and its effects on reproductive traits in Markhoz goats. The pedigree file included 5351 kids produced by 234 bucks and 1470 does. Average inbreeding coefficient for the whole population was 2.68%, and the minimum and maximum inbreeding coefficients were 0.05% and 31.25%, respectively. Average coefficient of inbreeding for inbred population was 5.17% and the number of inbred animals in the population was 2777. For investigating effects of inbreeding coefficient on reproductive traits, 3443 records were available for litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB) and mean of litter weight at birth (MLWB). Furthermore, available records for total litter weight at weaning (TLWW) and mean of litter weight at weaning (MLWW) were 2918. Inbreeding depression was estimated as the linear regression of performance on the individual inbreeding coefficient of kids and dams using the most appropriate animal model based on Akaike’s information criterion. Furthermore, inbreeding depressions for LSB and LSW were estimated using threshold and Poisson models. Regression coefficients of LSB, LSW, TLWB, TLWW, MLWB and MLWW on inbreeding coefficient of kids were –0.035, –0.019, –0.077 kg, –0.782 kg, –0.009 kg and –0.332 kg, respectively. Furthermore, regression coefficients of LSB, LSW, TLWB, TLWW, MLWB and MLWW on inbreeding coefficient of dams were 0.064, –0.013, 0.241 kg, 0.638 kg, 0.028 kg and –1.783 kg, respectively. The obtained results from this study showed that inbreeding depression is controlled by an appropriate mating system policy.