Abstract: In order to investigate the genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous sheep breeds, genetic variation of 9 Chinese indigenous sheep breeds and one introduced breed were examined using 21 microsatellite DNA markers and fluorescence PCR. All the 21 markers are highly polymorphic. The polymorphism information content (PIC) and genetic heterozygosis showed that the Chinese local breeds have high genetic diversity. A total of 342 alleles were detected, and the effective allele number ranged from 2.175 2 to 9.499 7. The average heterozygosity of loci varied from 0.524 8 to 0.855 1, and the average heterozygosity of breeds were from 0.633 to 0.761. The phylogenetic trees(NJ and UPGMA) analysis were generally in accordance with their origins, breeding history and localities.