The Grey Goat of Lanzo Valleys (Fiurinà): Breed characteristics, genetic diversity, and quantitative-qualitative milk traits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide an overview on breed's characteristics of a small dairy goat population recently identified in the Piedmont region (NW Italy): the Grey Goat of Lanzo Valleys. This goat, locally named Fiurinà, is composed of about 150 heads. Increasing knowledge on threatened breeds is an effective tool to develop conservation programs aiming at preserving loss of genetic resources, economically valorizing animal-derived food products, maintaining traditions and cultural values, as well as appropriately managing native habitats. Data and samples were collected in 15 representative farms to obtain information on geographical distribution, breeding systems, morphometric measures, and genetic diversity. Milk traits, including fatty acids profile and caseins polymorphism, were also investigated. The prevalent breeding system is extensive or semi-extensive, mostly with vertical transhumance from lowland to alpine pastures during the grazing season. The breed is characterized by a peculiar color of the fleece (mixture of white, grey and black course outer hairs with brown under-down) from which the local name “Fiurinà” (=speckled) derives. The breed is of medium size, with a quite high frequency of well-developed and turned backward horns. More than 80% of does have pear-shaped udder, typical of goats, with cylindrical teats directed downward. The microsatellite analysis pointed out significant distances between Fiurinà and other goat breeds reared in the same area. Consequently, Fiurinà has to be considered as a unique breed. Although highly variable, quite appreciable milk yields were observed. Considering milk gross composition and fatty acids profile, Fiurinà goat showed comparable results to other local breeds reared in alpine environment and mainly fed with fresh and conserved forages. A remarkable amount of α-linolenic acid (0.82g100g−1fat) was detected. The breed is also characterized by an interesting and wide variability in the casein cluster, with some haplotypes (i.e., A-C-F-C′, E-A-C-B, F-C1-F-C′) detected only in Fiurinà, confirming the genetic uniqueness of the breed. The balanced frequency of medium-strong and weak-null CSN1S1 alleles could be exploited for different breeding strategies.