Abstract. The use of molecular markers can support the management of endangered
populations and should be combined with appropriate breeding strategies to improve
productive traits avoiding the decline of the breed. The genetic variability at 10
microsatellite loci were investigated in a sample of 100 unrelated Markhoz goats
(77 females and 23 males). The investigated population was reared at the Sanandaj Markhoz
goat Performance Testing Station in Kurdistan, Iran. Markhoz goat, a multipurpose breed,
is one of the most valuable genetic resources in Iran. All the studied loci were found to
be polymorphic and a total number of 52 alleles were identified with an average number of
alleles of 5.2. Moreover, some population genetic indices, such as observed and expected
heterozygosity, observed and expected number of alleles, Shannon's index, Nei's expected
heterozygosity, and polymorphism information content were also calculated. Despite the
decreasing population size, Markhoz goat genetic diversity is still conserved. The breed
seems to have a good level of genetic variability and, as a consequence, a potential
margin of adaptability to environment and for future genetic improvement.
Genetic characterization of Markhoz goat breed using microsatellite markers