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Title: Characterization of Salt Range Sheep Based on Various Quantitative and Qualitative Traits in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Hafiz Muhammad Bilal Akhtar, Ghulam Bilal, Fazle Ahad, Hafiz Muhammad Waheed, Andleib Qayyum, Muhammad Naeem Riaz, Bilal Javid
Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science
Publisher: Zoo Botanica (SMC Pvt.) Ltd.
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 3
Issue: 1
Language: English
DOI: 10.55627/agrivet.003.01.0506
Keywords: characterizationGenomicsLattiQuantitativeQualitative
The current study was conducted to characterize Salt Range sheep breed in arid region of Punjab, Pakistan on the basis of various quantitative and qualitative traits. Salt Range sheep breed in local culture is called as Latti sheep. The sample under study comprised of 252 female and 50 male animals having average age ranging between six to eight months. Data on sixteen traits were recorded at various locations, including University Research Farm in Koont, Gujjar Khan, Rawalpindi, Barani Livestock Production Research Institute in Kherimurat, Attock, and private herds nearby. Quantitative traits included live body weight (LBW), body length (BL), height at wither (HW), ear length (EL), head length (HL), heart girth (HG), tail circumference (TLC), mandibular circumference (MC), teat circumference (TC), teat length (TL), scrotal length (SL), and scrotal circumference (SC). Moreover, qualitative traits encompassed body wool color, body skin color, horn presence, and facial head profile. The data was organized based on sex and herd which was analyzed using a mixed linear model in SAS. The Phenotypic correlations between different traits were also estimated. The mean values ± standard deviations of LBW, BL, HW, EL, HL, HG, TLC, MC, TC, TL, SL, and SC were as follows: 48.34±10.09 kg, 67.83±7.45 cm, 73.50±6.24 cm, 17.17±7.43 cm, 18.23±3.79 cm, 93.01±10.96 cm, 63.06±10.51 cm, 34.32±5.38 cm, 3.92±1.43 cm, 4.14±1.57 cm, 12.04±3.52 cm, and 20.10±7.21 cm, respectively. The study observed an effect of sex on LBW. Similarly, EL, HL, HG, TLC, and MC also significantly differed between males and females; however, body length (BL) and Height at wither (HW) did not exhibit significant differences (P≥0.05) between the two sexes. This study phenotypically characterized Salt Range sheep breed by investigating its various quantitative and qualitative traits, according to food and agriculture organization (FAO) breed characterization guidelines. The current study generated phenotypic information which highlighted the importance of Salt Range sheep for future conservation and application of genomics related to its breed improvement for various traits.
To characterize the Salt Range sheep breed in the arid region of Punjab, Pakistan, based on various quantitative and qualitative traits, and to study the effect of sex and herd on these traits.
Data was collected from November to December 2022 from the University Research Farm Koont, Barani Livestock Production Research Institute in Kherimurat, and private herds in the arid region of Punjab, Pakistan. A sample of 302 adult animals (252 female, 50 male) aged six to eight months was used. Sixteen quantitative traits (live body weight, body length, height at wither, ear length, head length, heart girth, tail circumference, mandibular circumference, teat circumference, teat length, scrotal length, and scrotal circumference) and four qualitative traits (body wool color, body skin color, horn presence, and facial head profile) were recorded. Data was analyzed using a mixed linear model in SAS, and phenotypic correlations between traits were estimated.
graph TD
A[Data Collection from Public and Private Herds] --> B[Record Quantitative Traits];
B --> C[Record Qualitative Traits];
C --> D[Organize Data by Sex and Herd];
D --> E[Analyze Data using Mixed Linear Model in SAS];
E --> F[Estimate Phenotypic Correlations];
F --> G[Interpret Results and Draw Conclusions];
The study highlights the significant influence of sex and herd on various quantitative traits of the Salt Range sheep breed. These variations are important for genetic improvement programs and breed conservation. The findings are consistent with previous research on other sheep breeds, emphasizing the need for detailed phenotypic characterization to understand breed diversity and inform breeding strategies. The collected phenotypic data is valuable for future genomic studies aimed at breed improvement.
- Significant differences were observed in live body weight, heart girth, tail circumference, and mandibular circumference between males and females.
- Private herds showed higher mean live body weight compared to public herds, while public herds had higher body length and scrotal circumference.
- A robust positive correlation (0.94) was found between scrotal circumference and scrotal length.
- Qualitative traits showed that 76% of animals had white body wool color, 89% had non-pigmented skin, 25% had horns, and 88% had a straight facial head profile.
Herd and sex significantly influence variations in body measurements of the Salt Range sheep breed, which should be considered in genetic parameter analysis. The study provides up-to-date information on the breed's characteristics for long-term conservation and genetic improvement programs, and the data is useful for genome-wide association studies.
- The study included 302 adult animals (252 female, 50 male).
- Live body weight ranged from 21 to 90 kg with a mean of 48.34±10.09 kg.
- 76% of animals exhibited white body wool color.
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