Microsatellite marker-based genetic diversity research and its use in sustainable sheep breeding initiatives

Abstract

Microsatellite marker-based genetic diversity studies and their role in assisting sustainable sheep breeding initiatives. J Agric Asian 1: 46–51. As practical molecular markers for assessing genetic diversity and divergence both within and across populations, microsatellites have gained widespread acceptance and application. The mean number of alleles per locus (MNA), polymorphic information content (PIC), genetic distance, phylogenetic or tree-building technique, and observed and predicted heterozygosity (Ho and He) are some of the measures that have been created so far to evaluate genetic diversity within and across populations. Therefore, the goal of this research was to use microsatellite markers to quantify the genetic diversity studies of domestic sheep populations and their contribution to sustainable sheep breeding programs. It is evident from the review that all of the sheep populations under study had high levels of inbreeding, low levels of population differentiation, and substantial population genetic variability. However, several of the studies used a small number of weak markers and had poor estimates of heterozygosity and mean number of alleles. The gaps found in the earlier genetic diversity assessments of the sheep populations may need more research to uncover more details about the population structures and to initiate suitable and long-term breeding initiatives.productivity and output in addition to family income.