Molecular Characterization of Hamdani Sheep Breed Using SSR Technique

This work was the first work done used molecular technique(biotechnology)as tools on small ruminant in Kurdistan Region of Iraq to select the animal depended on both genotype & phenotype, also tried to find correlation between molecular marker (SSR) with economical traits specially in sheep. Identification and characterization of breeds is a must to identify the genetic resources and also to prioritize breeds for conservation and development.Genetic variation is the raw material for the animal breeders, which is used to mold domestic animal species to people's needs. The increasing data on genetics of sheep breeds using different genetic markers will help to understand the evolutionary history of sheep better. In addition, it will help to refine the definition of breed. The objectives of this work: Estimate breeding values, as (BLUP) of ewes, for some quantitative traits as well as a genetic-economic index as a classic to tool for genetic evaluation and consequently improvement of sheep. Molecular characterizations of the Hamdani breed depending on microsatellites DNA markers.Define relationships between BLUP of quantitative traits and molecular markers