Animal Genetics and Breeding Division

Future Thrust Area :

• Optimization of genetic evaluation programme through molecular and quantitative genetic approach and conservation of Indian goat breeds.
• Production of superior germplasm of Indian breeds of goats through selection of economic traits related to meat, milk, skin and fiber production under all agro-ecological conditions.
• Identification of unique gene pools with respect to growth, adaptability, disease resistance, fecundity for sustainable goat production.
• Research on QTL should be the priority for increasing selection efficiency and conservation.

Salient Achievements :

• Body weight of Jamunapari kids during the year 2006–07 at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 11.90±0.09, 16.20±0.06, 19.27±0.45 and 26.84±0.57 kg, respectively.
• Milk yield for 90 days and 140 days of lactation were 80.86±1.83 lit and 111.15±3.13 lit, respectively during the year 2006-07 in Jamunapari goats.
• The kidding rate of Jamunapari goats during the year was 1.37 was observed during 2006-07.
• Unit has supplied 214 Jamunapari goats during the year 2006-07 and during last 5 years 814 goats were supplied to different agencies/farmers for breed improvement programmes in field conditions.
• The population growth of Barbari unit during the year was 157%, while the highest population rate (182%) was observed during the year 2003-04.
• Body weight of Barbari kids during the year 2006–07 at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 7.79±0.09, 10.86±0.19, 16.45±0.25 and 20.48±0.44 kg, respectively.
• Milk yield for 90 days and 140 days of lactation were 49.33±2.3 lit and 103.0±8.1 lit, respectively during the year 2006-07 in Barbari goats.
• The kidding rate of Barbari goats during the year was 1.51 and highest kidding rate 1.89 was observed during 2004-05.
• Unit has supplied 280 elite Barbari goats during the year and 1574 Barbari goats during last 6 years to different agencies/ farmers for breed improvement programmes in field conditions.
• Participatory rural appraisal study has been conducted in adopted villages at Chakarnagar to carry out socio-economic analysis.
• The 6 months and 9 months body weight of Jamunapari goats are showing increasing trend from the base population however, no change is observed in birth weight during the 5 years period.
• The increasing trend in body weight from base populations in adopted villages at Chakarnagar (Jamunapari field) is observed, which indicates use of superior breeding bucks by villagers over the years.
• The fertility, viability and sex ratio are maintained over the years in adopted villages of Jamunapari goat .
• Micro-satellite characterization has been carried out in eight Indian goat breeds using 22 markers and best markers for breed differentiation were reported. Gene diversity in Indian goats was established and markers usefulness for breed differentiation has been established.
• Sequencing of mitochondrial (mt DNA) HVRI region was carried out in 363 samples of 10 Indian goat breeds from different agro climatic regions. The neighbor-joining tree of Indian goat breeds along with wild goats was constructed for the first time.
• Two novel additional lineages, D and E, were observed indicating the additional diversity exists within Indian domestic goats.
• Molecular analysis of milk casein and whey protein was carried out in 10 Indian goat breeds. There was significant effect of milk protein genotype on milk yield and total protein content of milk.
• Milk proteome analysis by two-dimensional (2-D) gel-electrophoresis was also carried out.
• Lysozyme as marker for enhancing immune competence in goat was established.
• Indicator traits for resistance to gastro-intestinal nematodes have been established in Barbari and Jamunapari breed of goats.
• Body weights of Muzaffarnagari lambs during the year 2006–07 at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 16, 24, 28 and 32 kg, respectively.
• Greasy fleece weights in first and second six monthly clips were 1.1kg/year in the year 2006-07.
• Dressing percent was 54.4% and 57.3% at 6 and 9 months age in 2006 born lambs.
• Unit has supplied 1015 breeding rams during 1985 – 2006 to the farmers/agencies for genetic improvement in the field conditions.