Strategies for the genetic improvement of South African Angora goats

Selection of Angora goats over the past decades has focused on traits related to fitness, body weight and fibre production. Research for genetic improvement of the Angora has been based on quantitative selection and more recently molecular technology has been applied. Although considerable progress has been made at increasing fine mohair production, the inability of Angora goats to survive sub-optimum conditions has become a concern. Selection emphasis on fibre production resulted in unthrifty animals and the South African (SA) Angora industry is still hampered by the loss of young goats. DNA marker information assists conventional selection by increasing selection accuracy, improving the rate of genetic improvement and leading to a better understanding of the physiological background of traits. The genetic diversity of the SA Angora goat breed was estimated and an improved linkage map was recently developed. The extensive production systems in South Africa pose a challenge for pedigree integrity, and a microsatellite panel was constructed for parentage verification. Selection for quantitative trait loci (QTL) will lead to increased genetic progress and offers the opportunity to improve understanding of and exploit phenotypic variation. Putative QTL associated with fleece and growth traits have been identified in the South African Angora goat population. The current goat SNP chip does not include any fibre-producing goat breed, and this chip is currently being verified in the SA Angora goat population, in conjunction with the sequencing of certain keratin genes.