Riaz Hussain Mirza, Abdul Sattar and Khalid Javed

Abstract   

    Pedigree, breeding and performance records of the purebred Jersey herd maintained at the Livestock Experiment Station, Bhunikey (Pattoki) Kasur during the period 1982-2000 were utilized for the present study. The coefficient of inbreeding of each animal was calculated using Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (DFREML) set of computer programme. Analysis of pedigree records of 602 animals having identification for the extent of inbreeding revealed that only 13 animals (2.16%) were inbred with an average inbreeding coefficient of 24%, the highest level being 25%. Overall average inbreeding coefficient was found to be only 0.0043%. None of the 36 sires used was found inbred. One of the main reasons for low level of inbreeding in the present herd was comparatively shorter time period and the incomplete pedigrees especially for animals born in earlier years. It was concluded that level of inbreeding might increase in future, therefore precise pedigree recording and planned mating strategies be adopted to avoid any adverse effect of inbreeding on performance traits.