Environmental conditions such as heat or cold waves, as well as poor pasture and food quality, have a negative impact on sheep health and productivity. Adaptability to various climatic variables is an important quality for species progress. Twelve indigenous sheep breeds (seven fat-tailed and five thin-tailed) from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, were maintained and studied in the Peshawar valley's subtropical environment. Over a two-year period, the breeds were observed for the presence of several disease symptoms (pulmonary discomfort, gastrointestinal parasite infestation, polioencephomalacia, digestive disorders, and maggot infestation). In addition, at the end of the study, a comet assay was performed to quantify DNA damage in blood cells from different sheep breeds. Overall, parasite infestation (44%) and pulmonary discomfort (35.9%) had the largest percentage in the flock. Variations in illness occurrence have been documented as a result of breed and age. The prevalence of parasite infestation and respiratory discomfort decreased over time in eight of the twelve breeds studied. During the summer months (May till August), there was a rise in the occurrence of illnesses. DNA damage has a distinct effect on different sheep breeds. Michni, Ghalji, Kari, and Madakhlasht sheep breeds have the least DNA damage. These findings provide a foundation for further research into the genetic underpinnings of illness occurrence and adaptability to environmental changes in sheep.

Index Terms- DNA damage, Gastrointestinal parasites, Indigenous sheep breeds, Polio encephomalacia, Pulmonary distress