Genetic diversity and population structure among indigenous and imported goat breeds in Kenya

Population structure and relationship information among goats is critical for genetic improvement, utilization, conservation. This study explored population level of introgression four goat breeds in Kenya: the indigenous Galla (n = 12) three imported breeds, Alpine 29), Toggenburg 31), Saanen 24). Genetic diversity was analyzed using indices (polymorphic SNPs, mean allele frequency, observed expected heterozygosity inbreeding coefficient) within each breed. assessed model-based clustering (ADMIXTURE) revealed according to their geographic regions Kenya. Kenyan were most admixed breed with about 10 % its genome derived from Galla, 6 respectively. The association other anticipated since used as founder crossbreeding Saanen, breeds. evaluated by computing Reynolds distance five distinctive clusters: Alpine, some mixture Toggenburg. seem be genetically distinct sampled populations. variation populations will provide a good opportunity sustainable conservation, future resource improvement programmes