Genotype data from Microsatellite markers on Indigenous Ethiopian sheep

Litter size is one of a major economically important reproductive trait in sheep enterprises. The low heritability estimates of reproductive traits indicated high environmental effects that reduce the ability of phenotypic selection for improving such traits. Hence, identifying genes of major effect on litter size and utilizing them in breeding programs will offers the opportunity to improve reproductive efficiency through marker assisted selection. High genetic diversity and strong association with litters size were observed which will used us a baseline information to design cost effective and sustainable genetic improvement program for commercialization.