EFFECT OF INBREEDING ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS IN NILI RAVI BUFFALO: A CASE STUDY OF BUFFALO BULL MOTHER SCHEME IN PUNJAB

Inbreeding, the mating of closely related individuals, is a critical factor in livestock breeding programs, influencing genetic diversity and productivity. While inbreeding itself does not create undesirable recessive genes, its accumulation can lead to inbreeding depression, negatively impacting key economic traits such as milk yield, reproductive efficiency, and overall herd performance. This study assessed the level of inbreeding and its effects on performance traits in Nili-Ravi buffalo populations registered under the Buffalo Bull Mother Scheme at the Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI), Bahadurnagar, District Okara, Pakistan. Pedigree and performance data from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed to estimate the inbreeding coefficient (F). Results showed a mean inbreeding coefficient of 0.00078 ± 0.013 for the population, while inbred animals had a mean F of 0.225 ± 0.055 (ranging from 0.125 to 0.250). Inbreeding had a significant impact on total milk yield, days in milk, calving interval, and age at first calving, with each 1% increase in inbreeding leading to a 5.8 kg reduction in 305-day milk yield. These findings highlight the detrimental effects of inbreeding on buffalo productivity, emphasizing the need for genetic management strategies to mitigate its adverse impact. This study underscores the importance of structured breeding programs to preserve genetic diversity and optimize productivity in Nili-Ravi buffaloes, a crucial breed for Pakistan’s dairy industry.