Genomic Inbreeding and Runs of Homozygosity Analysis of Cashmere Goat

The study on cashmere goats utilized whole-genome resequencing data from 123 goats to analyze genomic inbreeding, runs of homozygosity (ROHs), and candidate genes associated with economically important traits. The Inner Mongolia cashmere goat showed the lowest inbreeding coefficient of 0.0263, indicating high genetic diversity, while the IBE population exhibited the highest inbreeding coefficient of 0.4780. A total of 57,224 ROHs were identified, with 74 ROH islands containing 50 genes linked to traits such as meat, fiber, and milk production, fertility, disease and cold resistance, and body size and growth. Enrichment analyses highlighted pathways crucial for hair follicle development, including MAPK and Ras signaling, with genes like FGF5 and KIT identified as important for cashmere fiber traits. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic basis of traits in cashmere goats, aiding future breeding and conservation efforts.