Malin sheep is the indigenous sheep breed of Malaysia and mainlykept for meat production. A total of 48 individuals from the National Institute of Veterinary Biodiversity (NIVB) in Jerantut,Pahang were used. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity in the Malin using microsatellite markers.Eleven microsatellite loci were successfully amplified in 48 Malin sheep. All loci were polymorphic. A total of 66 alleles were detected. The number of observed alleles per locus varied from 12 to 21, with mean observed number alleles per locus of15.18±4.58. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity were 0.0189±0.01 and 0.8989±0.01, respectively. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) value was 0.8970±0.01, indicating that the used markers were highly informative and could be used in parentage identification. Tests of genotype frequencies for deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), at each locus revealed depature from HWE due to loss in heterozygotes by high levels of inbreeding. The average inbreeding value for the 11 markers investigated was0.9797±0.01 indicating a more homozygous nature of the population. This is the first report of microsatelitte based variations in Malin sheep breed and can be useful for development of a rational breeding strategy for genetic improvement of sheepin Malaysia which may benefit future conservation programmes.

Kedah-Kelantan cattle (KK) being an indigenous breed are highly adapted to the hot-humid Malaysian climate and can survive in harsh, marginal environments. This makes the KK a valuable genetic resource, given the challenges of climate change and the changing demands of the livestock sector. Hitherto there is no comprehensive programme to genetically improve the purebred KK. Genetic improvement of the KK would be to fulfill the breeding objectives of increasing lean meat growth rate, enhancing meat quality, raising feed efficiency, improving fertility and maintaining adaptability. The breeding structure proposed is a 2-tier breeding structure, with a nucleus tier followed by a commercial tier below it. The nucleus tier would comprise of a number of pedigree farms run as a community
breeding project. A sire reference scheme is proposed, where progeny of reference sires are used as genetic links between pedigree herds and between years. Some guidelines are offered on the establishment
and implementation of the scheme. Modern breeding technology such as BLUP using an Animal Model, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, tissue scanning, MAS and MAI could be used as tools to support the KK genetic improvement programme. To address the problem of genetic erosion, emphasis should be given to the conservation and sustainable utilization of the KK. The programme is expected to have a high impact on the livestock sector. Substantial investments are needed to develop infrastructure and human capital associated with the KK breeding programme. The establishment of a KK breed society will improve awareness concerning the KK and protect the interests
of the KK breeding community.