Sheep genetic resources in Bulgaria with focus on breeds with coloured wool

Abstract

This review describes sheep genetic resources in Bulgaria with coloured wool and evaluates the country’s potential for coloured wool production. In 2018, Bulgaria counted 125,422 animals belonging to 18 native sheep breeds, six of which are in danger of extinction. Native sheep breeds in Bulgaria can be divided into three groups depending on the fleece colour of the animals: i) sheep breeds with fully pigmented fleece in all animals; ii) sheep breeds with animals with fully pigmented fleece or fully white fleece; iii) sheep breeds with spotted coloured fleece. Colouration in populations of the native Bulgarian sheep breeds can be explained by the phenotypic expression of several alleles of coat colour genes: ExtensionD, Agoutia and Pigmented headT , while white colour is due to the presence of the dominant Agoutiwt allele.Based on the relative share of the animals with coloured wool, the country’s potential for annual coloured wool production from native breeds was estimated at a minimum of 133,791 kg of unwashed wool. Recent tendencies in lifestyle changes of the Bulgarian people are gradually leading to increased interest in naturally coloured wool products, which may benefit the conservation of endangered native breeds by promoting relevant breeding programmes.

Mitochondrial Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationship of Eight Native Bulgarian Sheep Breeds

“…The diverse ecological and economic conditions in Bulgaria and the various needs and interests of the local people in our country allowed raising a large number of native sheep breeds. According to official statistics, there are currently 18 native sheep breeds in Bulgaria [37]. According to the total population size, Bulgarian native sheep breeds can be classified in several categories of risk status using FAO criteria [38].…”

Microsatellite Genotyping of Two Bulgarian Sheep Breeds

“…In general, the MRS is a combined type of breed, raised for wool, meat, and milk production. The population size is 8716 individuals, which defines the risk status as not in danger of extinction [15].…”

“…By cross-breeding local semi-mountain and mountain sheep breeds with introduced rams from the world's best breeds of sheep producing wool (Merinoflaish, Stavropol, Caucasian, Askanian, Australian Merino, New Zealand Corriedale, Lincoln, etc. ), a large number of modern sheep breeds have been created to meet the market's need for wool [15].…”