Massese sheep characteristics and demo-genetic trends in the province of Pisa (Italy)

Preserving animal breeds is key to a country's economy, environment and culture. The present study collects all the available information on the Massese sheep breed and analyzes their demo-genetic trends in Pisa since 1976. Data were provided by Asso.Na.Pa. Descriptive statistics were analysed using Jmp software. The pedigree parameters of a total of 10,393 animals (whole population-WP) were analyzed using CFC, ENDOG and Pedigree viewer software. Animals born in the last fifteen years represented the Reference Population (RP), while animals with one or two unknown parents constituted the Base Population (BP). Demographic results showed an inconstant trend of offspring registration in the Herd book with two periods of a dramatic decline in lamb registrations and a substantially short productivity with a mean number of registered newborns of 1.5 and 18.2 for ewes and rams, respectively. A total of 6456 animals represented the RP, of which only 1059 animals (16.4%) had both known parents. The BP consisted of 7156 animals, thus highlighting the lack of sire and dam registration which prevented an accurate evaluation of the genetic parameters. The average inbreeding coefficient in the WP was 0.78%, and 0.046% in the RP. The number of inbreds was 575 in the WP and 17 in the RP. The present study represents a tool for breeders and technicians aimed at conserving and exploiting the genetic resources of Massese sheep through efficient breeding plans.