Evaluation of inbreeding effects on some economical traits in Raeini Cashmere goat

The aim of this study was to estimate inbreeding coefficient in Raeini Cashmere goat and its impact on production traits. Pedigree information and body weight at different ages (birth weight, weaning weight, six-month weight, nine-month weight, twelve-month weight), yearling cashmere weight, pre-weaning average daily gain and Kleiber ratio of 7264 goat from 293 sire and 2057 dam were used. The data were collected during 1990-2013 in Raeini Cashmere goat breeding station in Baft, Kerman. Estimation of inbreeding coefficient was obtained by CFC program and quantifying the inbreeding regression on the traits was applied by Wombat software. Number of inbred animals in the pedigree was 163 goats (2.3 percent of the total population). The average inbreeding coefficient of the population and inbred population were 0.08 and 3.5, respectively. Inbreeding depression per 1 percent increase in individual inbreeding for birth weight, weaning weight, six-month weight, nine-month weight , twelve-month weight, yearling cashmere weigh, pre-weaning average daily gain and Kleiber ratio were -11.103, -166.19, -110.86 , -121.5,  -23.16, -2.24, 0.85 and 0.069 g, respectively. The highest inbreeding coefficient was 25 percent and most of the inbred animals had inbreeding coefficients lower than 5 percent. The results of this study confirmed the low level of inbreeding in this population. Therefore, due to deleterious effect of inbreeding on production traits it is suggested that this breeding station should use a mating plan to avoid mating of relative animals.