In order to establish a method of assessing the degree of inbreeding within herds of cattle, we constructed a calibration index relating kinship and the degree of DNA band sharing in DNA fingerprints. Firstly, chickens were used as a model system to test the possibility of using microsatellite DNA as a probe for DNA fingerprinting in inbreeding analysis. Six genetic groups of chickens with estimated coefficients of inbreeding ranging from 0.026 to $>$ 0.98 (pedigree analysis) were fingerprinted using the minisatellite probe derived from M13 and the microsatellite probe (CAC)$ sb5$. The degree of band sharing using either probe increased in concert with the known amount of inbreeding and was described by the equation Y = 0.56X ($ pm$0.06) + 0.42 ($ pm$0.03); r = 0.998. Since in-gel hybridization using the microsatellite probes was faster and less labour intensive than using the minisatellite probe, it was used in the subsequent studies. Pedigree analysis in Holstein dairy cattle allowed for the empirical calibration of the association of band sharing with the coefficient of relatedness, (r), defined as the expected proportion of genes in 2 individuals that are identical by descent (i.e. for monozygous twins r = 1; for first order relatives r = 0.5; for half sibs r = 0.25 etc.). The average band sharing between pairs (6 pairs at each r value) of individuals within each class formed the basis for calibration. DNA was digested using RsaI. The relationship between band sharing and relatedness was well represented by a linear approximation Y = 0.51X ($ pm$0.09) + 0.50 ($ pm$0.04); r = 0.992. Using this calibration curve, random samples of animals within herds can be tested to establish the herd variability and to minimize inbreeding.

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De Kol 2d, Pietertje Hengerveld and Belle Koendyke each have two daughters. For each daughter the following number of grand daughters are found. For Belle Korndyke 93.5, De Kol 2d 81.5 , and Pietertje Hengerveld 60.5. The following number of great-grand-daughters may be attributed to each grand-daughter: De Kol 2d 5.29, Belle Korndyke 3.11 and Pietertje Hengerveld 2.96. This shows De Kol 2d was more prepotent over her great-grand-daughters or her daughters were bred to better sires. The percent of the progeny found in each class clearly shows the prepotency of the progenitor. The most noticeable influence over the grand daughters of the first class was that of Belle Korndyke, having 16.52% of progeny in first class. De Kol ranked second and Pietertje Hengerveld third. In class two Belle Korndyke ranks first, De Kol 2d second, and Pietertje Hengerveld third. In classes three and four some change is order is noticeable; Pietertje Hengerveld ranks first, De Kol 2d second, and Belle Korndyke third. / Master of Science