Genetic variability in registered Alpine dairy goat population in Kenya

Abstract

A total of 6893 individuals were used to evaluate the population structure and genetic variability of registered Alpine dairy goats in Kenya. Parameters estimated were pedigree completeness, maximum generations traced, complete generations, equivalent generations, generation interval, inbreeding coefficient, effective population size and population structure. The average level of pedigree completeness for registered Alpine dairy goats was 10% with 65.9% of individuals having known parents while 16.1%, 2.3 and 0% had information on their grandparents and great grand-parents. None of the individuals had known great-great-grand parents known. The average generation interval was 10.6 years. The longest generation interval was reported for sire-sire pathway (15.9 years) while the dam-sire pathway had the shortest (5.7 years). Out the 6398 individuals in the pedigree, only 26 were inbred, and had an inbreeding level of 23.1%. Inbreeding level was higher among inbreds, when estimated based on complete generations rather than maximum traced generations. As average inbreeding level for the entire population was low, its trend was not estimated. Maximum traced generations, complete generations, equivalent generations were 8, 2 and 2.1, respectively. The associated rates of inbreeding and effective population size estimates were 0.09, 0.17 and 0.16; 579.8, 296.1 and 315.9, respectively. Pedigree completeness in the registered Alpine population in Kenya is low, leading to over- or under-estimation of measures of genetic diversity. Rate and level of inbreeding increased with increasing pedigree completeness. The Alpine dairy breeding programme in Kenya should be strengthened by enhancing pedigree recording to enable long-term management of genetic variability and genetic improvement.