Indigenous Sheep Genetic Resources in Kenya:: Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Based on Microsatellite Analysis

Indigenous sheep genetic resources are not only vital for their economic and cultural value but also for their scientific value since they harbour unique genetic variants which confer traits enabling them to survive in harsh environments with very minimal input if any. Unfortunately such genetic resources are threatened with extinction due to the indiscriminate crossbreeding with their exotic counterparts that seem more productive but require a lot more economic investment. Instituting conservation efforts for indigenous sheep is really overdue but this can only be done after their distribution is appreciated through characterization both at the molecular as well as phenotypic level.