Genetic diversity in Malabari goats

Three hundred goats belonging to Tanur, Thalassery and Badagara regions of the state of Kerala in India were studied for biochemical and microsatellite marker polymorphism, and biometrical traits. A total of eight parameters, viz haemoglobin, transferrin, cerruloplasmin, amylase, albumin, carbonic anhydrase, serum potassium and blood glutathione, were investigated in biochemical polymorphism studies. Of the ten microsatellite primers tested (TGLA 53, INRA 005, INRA 063, ILSTS 005, ILSTS 030, ILSTS 011, HUJ 1177, ETH 10, INHA and BM 720), only three primers were chosen for the study, namely INRA 063, ILSTS 030, and HUJ 1177, which exhibited relatively higher degree of polymorphism. The litter size and body weight of goats were recorded at birth, at one, three, six and twelve months of age and the data analysed. The study revealed that though all populations under investigation had predominant physical characteristics of the Malabari breed, the Tanur population stood apart as regards the biometrical traits, like litter size and body weight in that they were smaller in size and more prolific. The high genetic diversity of the Tanur population was reiterated by microsatellite marker studies.