Pedigree analysis of Cashmere goat breed of South Khorasan

Abstract

The genealogical data of Cashmere goat breed of South Khorasan province of Iran was analysed in this study. Records from a total of 10,635 animals collected during 1988–2014 from 20 registered flocks were analysed for evaluating pedigree parameters. The reference population was defined as the living reproductive animals born from 2010 till 2014. The average inbreeding coefficient in the studied breed was about 0.07% (ranging from 0 to 25%). In addition, the average inbreeding coefficient for the reference population was about 0.85%. The main reason for the low inbreeding level obtained in Cashmere goat population was related to the extensive production system and lack of sire registration in a large number of animals (about 78% missing sire information). A total of 200 animals were inbred. The inbred animals were all related to the breeding station flock which was acting as a closed nucleus flock and was under the control of Animal Breeding and Milk Improvement Centre of Iran. The result of analysis for gene origin parameters indicated the lack of pedigree depth, which could leads to management problems for conservation of the studied breed.