Reproductive efficiency in terms of fertility, Prolificacy and survival rate are considered the major components of overall efficiency in sheep productivity. While fertility of Awassi ewes is moderate to high depending on feeding and management practices, however, litter size is low and Awassi is not considered a prolific breed. Heritability estimates of these traits are rather low, and reflect small genetic variation in these traits. The possible avenues for increasing reproductive capacity environmentally and genetically are discussed in the text of this review article.

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The current study conducted to detect the genetic diversity between four genetic groups of Kurdish local chicken using RAPD-PCR technique. Ten random markers used to amplified DNA were selected for genotyping the four lines. One hundred twenty four polymorphic bands were amplified, the bands size ranged between (2500 and 100 bp). The primer (OPA-05, OPA-18) produced maximum number of polymorphic bands, while primers named (OPA-16) produced minimum number of polymorphic bands. The (WNFS) genetic group showed the highest number of amplified fragments (55) for both male and female (30), (25) respectively. While (BBN) genetic group showed the lowest number of amplified fragments (20) for both male and female (7), (13) respectively. According to the results obtained from the current study, it can be conclude that the four genetic groups differ genetically. Moreover the results will help the breeders to study new selection strategies between the four genetic groups.

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Production records (323) were collected during two calving seasons of Bokane, Friesian and Simmental cows bred at three herds. Cows milked twice daily and milk samples collected at the peak of production to determine fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF) %. Data was analyzed for diagnosing the significant effects of the available factors on the studied traits. Repeatability of total milk production (TMP), compositions and correlations among them were estimated. Overall mean of TMP, fat, protein, lactose, and SNF were 3,752.3 kg, 3.129%, 3.065%, 4.507% and 7.688%, respectively. TMP affected by breed, herd, parity and year of calving significantly. Regression of TMP on age at first calving was not significant (–19.597 kg/mo.), whereas regressions on body weight at calving (12.567 kg/kg) and on calf birth weight (157.63 kg/kg) were significant. Breed affects fat and protein significantly. Differences between herds in their fat, lactose and SNF% were significant. Effect of parity was significant on all milk composition except lactose %. Year of calving affects all milk compositions significantly (P<0.01). Effect of sex of calf was significant only on SNF. Highest estimate of correlation (0.73) (P<0.01) was between lactose % and SNF % while lowest estimate (–0.57) (P<0.01) was between TMP and fat %. Estimated values of repeatability for TMP, fat %, protein %, lactose % and SNF % were 0.67, 0.48, 0.26, 0.33, and 0.30 respectively.