Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands
Reproduction traits are important factors determining the efficiency of any sheep production system. This study evaluates the age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), litter weight at birth (LBWT), litter weight at weaning (LWWT), birth weight of ewe (EBWT) and weaning weight of ewes (EWWT...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731124003288 |
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| author | E. Oyieng J.M.K. Ojango M. Gauly R. Mrode R. Dooso A.M. Okeyo C. Kalinda S. König |
| author_facet | E. Oyieng J.M.K. Ojango M. Gauly R. Mrode R. Dooso A.M. Okeyo C. Kalinda S. König |
| author_sort | E. Oyieng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Reproduction traits are important factors determining the efficiency of any sheep production system. This study evaluates the age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), litter weight at birth (LBWT), litter weight at weaning (LWWT), birth weight of ewe (EBWT) and weaning weight of ewes (EWWT) in a crossbreeding program between the Red Maasai (RRRR) and Dorper sheep and their crosses, 75% Dorper and 50% Dorper (DDRR) breeds. All the traits significantly (P < 0.05) differed across breeds and season of birth of the ewe. LBWT and LWWT were significantly affected by the sex of the lamb, type of birth of the lamb and parity in which the lambs were born in. AFL and LI had very high environmental variances. Overall heritability estimates of AFL (0.09 ± 0.04) and LI (0.00 ± 0.01) were not significant from zero while the heritability estimates for EBWT (0.38 ± 0.04), EWWT (0.23 ± 0.03), LBWT (0.19 ± 0.03) and LWWT (0.09 ± 0.02) were significant (P < 0.05). The RRRR had the highest genetic gain for all traits while the DDRR had a higher genetic gain among the crosses. LI had negative genetic correlations with LBWT (−0.53 ± 0.08) and LWWT (−0.28 ± 19.59) while AFL had positive genetic correlations with LBWT (0.27 ± 0.46) and LWWT (0.31 ± 0.34). The phenotypic trends for AFL and LWWT showed a negative and positive association, respectively, with the rainfall index over the years. With proper farm management, improved reproduction performance of ewes is possible by indirect selection using LBWT and LWWT for the Red Maasai, Dorper and their crosses within the semi-arid lands. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0702ff1265f74fe58d91fa5526ce6c18 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1751-7311 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | Animal |
| spelling | doaj-art-0702ff1265f74fe58d91fa5526ce6c182025-01-19T06:24:49ZengElsevierAnimal1751-73112025-01-01191101391Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid landsE. Oyieng0J.M.K. Ojango1M. Gauly2R. Mrode3R. Dooso4A.M. Okeyo5C. Kalinda6S. König7Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Ludwigstraße 21 b, 35390 Gießen, Germany; Livestock Genetics Nutrition and Feed Resources Program, International Livestock Research Institute, P. O Box 30709-00100 Nairobi, Kenya; Corresponding author.Livestock Genetics Nutrition and Feed Resources Program, International Livestock Research Institute, P. O Box 30709-00100 Nairobi, KenyaFaculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen – Bolzano, Universitatsplatz 5, 39100 Bolzano, ItalyLivestock Genetics Nutrition and Feed Resources Program, International Livestock Research Institute, P. O Box 30709-00100 Nairobi, Kenya; Animal and Veterinary Science, Scotland’s Rural College, EH9 3JG Edinburgh, United KingdomLivestock Genetics Nutrition and Feed Resources Program, International Livestock Research Institute, P. O Box 30709-00100 Nairobi, Kenya; Animal Breeding and Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 17, 70599 Stuttgart, GermanyLivestock Genetics Nutrition and Feed Resources Program, International Livestock Research Institute, P. O Box 30709-00100 Nairobi, KenyaBill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health, University of Global Health Equity, Kigali Heights, Plot 772 KG 7 Ave. P. O Box 6955, Kigali, Rwanda; School of Nursing and Public Health (SNPH), Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaInstitute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Ludwigstraße 21 b, 35390 Gießen, GermanyReproduction traits are important factors determining the efficiency of any sheep production system. This study evaluates the age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), litter weight at birth (LBWT), litter weight at weaning (LWWT), birth weight of ewe (EBWT) and weaning weight of ewes (EWWT) in a crossbreeding program between the Red Maasai (RRRR) and Dorper sheep and their crosses, 75% Dorper and 50% Dorper (DDRR) breeds. All the traits significantly (P < 0.05) differed across breeds and season of birth of the ewe. LBWT and LWWT were significantly affected by the sex of the lamb, type of birth of the lamb and parity in which the lambs were born in. AFL and LI had very high environmental variances. Overall heritability estimates of AFL (0.09 ± 0.04) and LI (0.00 ± 0.01) were not significant from zero while the heritability estimates for EBWT (0.38 ± 0.04), EWWT (0.23 ± 0.03), LBWT (0.19 ± 0.03) and LWWT (0.09 ± 0.02) were significant (P < 0.05). The RRRR had the highest genetic gain for all traits while the DDRR had a higher genetic gain among the crosses. LI had negative genetic correlations with LBWT (−0.53 ± 0.08) and LWWT (−0.28 ± 19.59) while AFL had positive genetic correlations with LBWT (0.27 ± 0.46) and LWWT (0.31 ± 0.34). The phenotypic trends for AFL and LWWT showed a negative and positive association, respectively, with the rainfall index over the years. With proper farm management, improved reproduction performance of ewes is possible by indirect selection using LBWT and LWWT for the Red Maasai, Dorper and their crosses within the semi-arid lands.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731124003288DorperGenetic parametersLambingRed MaasaiWeights |
| spellingShingle | E. Oyieng J.M.K. Ojango M. Gauly R. Mrode R. Dooso A.M. Okeyo C. Kalinda S. König Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands Animal Dorper Genetic parameters Lambing Red Maasai Weights |
| title | Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands |
| title_full | Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands |
| title_short | Evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi-arid lands |
| title_sort | evaluating reproduction traits in a crossbreeding program between indigenous and exotic sheep in semi arid lands |
| topic | Dorper Genetic parameters Lambing Red Maasai Weights |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731124003288 |
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