9 (1), JANUARY 2025
Pages: 1-16
Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of selected Ethiopian indigenous cattle breeds using microsatellite markers
Author: B. Alemu, D. Mengistie, W. Ayalew, G. Temesgen, S. kelbessa, S. Tekle, B. Seyoum
Category: Livestock and Poultry Production
[Download PDF]
Abstract:
Ethiopian cattle are under threat because of unintentional crossing practices with exotic breeds and are at high risk of becoming genetically homogeneous. Therefore, to evaluate genetic diversity, population structure, and level of admixture, 91 DNA samples from four (Guraghe (n = 25), Gofa (n = 25), Hamer (n = 25), and Mursi (n = 16)) Ethiopian cattle populations were genotyped using 16 microsatellite markers. Most of the markers show a high degree of polymorphism, with an overall mean PIC of 0.86. A total of 191 alleles were detected, ranging from 8 to 23 alleles per locus. The mean number of alleles and the observed and expected heterozygosity were 11.9, 0.053, and 0.79, respectively. The FIT, FIS, and FST overall F-statistics have mean values of 0.94, 0.94, and 0.096, respectively. The genetic variation between populations accounted for 9.6% of the total genetic variation. (2.56) degree of inbreeding was observed in all four populations. Genetic distances, such as PCoA and dendrogram, reveal a close relationship between Hammer and Mursi as compared to Guraghe and Mursi. Structure analysis assigned four Ethiopian populations independently; however, Hamer and Mursi showed a relatively higher degree of admixture than Guraghe and Gofa. It can be concluded that Ethiopia's indigenous cattle populations have a high degree of genetic diversity; Hamer and Mursi are genetically closer than Guraghe and Gofa.These results may be useful in determining current and future breeding programs as well as management and conservation strategies for Ethiopia's indigenous animal genetic resources.
Keywords: Genetic diversity; Indigenous breeds; Microsatellite markers
|
