Abstract. The aim of this study was to estimate the inbreeding coefficient in the
Zwartbles sheep population in the Czech Republic, as well as to investigate
the effect of inbreeding on meat yield indicators. The analysis used data on
the entire population since 1997, with the original database containing 13 150 animals. In this population, the average inbreeding coefficient is 3.64 %. There is a significant increase in inbreeding – from zero values to
more than 4 % between 1997 and 2021. The effect of inbreeding on the
weight of the animals at 100 d of age, the weight at bonitation prior to
breeding, the thickness of the musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD), the thickness of the subcutaneous
back fat, and the fleshiness of the animals were all evaluated. The value of
the inbreeding coefficient had a statistically significant effect on weight
at 100 d, MLD thickness, and back fat thickness. A negative relationship
between inbreeding and all of these parameters was found when the inbreeding
coefficient was increased by 1 %, resulting in a 60.2 g weight reduction
at 100 d, 0.06 mm reduction in MLD thickness, and 0.013 mm reduction in
back fat thickness.