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Animal genetics2000; 31(1); 1-7; doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2052.2000.00558.x

A pedigree-based study of mitochondrial D-loop DNA sequence variation among Arabian horses.

Abstract: Through DNA sequence comparisons of a mitochondrial D-loop hypervariable region, we investigated matrilineal diversity for Arabian horses in the United States. Sixty-two horses were tested. From published pedigrees they traced in the maternal line to 34 mares acquired primarily in the mid to late 19th century from nomadic Bedouin tribes. Compared with the reference sequence (GenBank X79547), these samples showed 27 haplotypes with altogether 31 base substitution sites within 397 bp of sequence. Based on examination of pedigrees from a random sampling of 200 horses in current studbooks of the Arabian Horse Registry of America, we estimated that this study defined the expected mtDNA haplotypes for at least 89% of Arabian horses registered in the US. The reliability of the studbook recorded maternal lineages of Arabian pedigrees was demonstrated by haplotype concordance among multiple samplings in 14 lines. Single base differences observed within two maternal lines were interpreted as representing alternative fixations of past heteroplasmy. The study also demonstrated the utility of mtDNA sequence studies to resolve historical maternity questions without access to biological material from the horses whose relationship was in question, provided that representatives of the relevant female lines were available for comparison. The data call into question the traditional assumption that Arabian horses of the same strain necessarily share a common maternal ancestry.
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Publication Date: 2000-02-26 PubMed ID: 10690354DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2052.2000.00558.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study explores the maternal genetic diversity among Arabian horses in the United States by comparing variations in a specific region of mitochondrial DNA, known as the D-loop. In this study, the DNA of 62 Arabian horses, whose lineage was traced back to 34 mares brought from Bedouin tribes in the late 19th century, were analyzed revealing 27 different haplotypes. The findings suggest this covers the mitochondrial DNA types for about 89% of the registered Arabian horses in the US, and the study proves the reliability of using recorded maternal lines for genetic examination, even when attempting to resolve historical parentage issues without access to the biological material of the horses in question.

Study Overview

  • The research focuses on investigating the matrilineal diversity of Arabian horses in the United States using DNA sequence comparisons of a specific region in the mitochondrial DNA, known as the D-loop hypervariable region.
  • A total of 62 horses were tested for the study. Their lineage was traced back to 34 mares, primarily acquired in the mid to late 19th century from nomadic Bedouin tribes.
  • The DNA samples were compared with a reference sequence (GenBank X79547), revealing 27 different haplotypes represented by 31 base substitution sites within 397 base pairs of sequence.

Key Findings

  • Throughly examining the pedigrees of a random 200 Arabian horses in current American studbooks, the researchers estimate that their study defines the expected mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes for at least 89% of Arabian horses registered in the US.
  • The study validates the reliability of studbook recorded maternal lineages in Arabians, as shown by the agreement of haplotypes across multiple samplings in 14 lines.
  • Within two maternal lines, single base differences were interpreted as representing alternative fixations of past heteroplasmy, the presence of slightly different mitochondrial DNA within the same individual.
  • The study confirms the effectiveness of mtDNA sequence studies for resolving historical maternity questions when the biological material from the horses in question is unavailable, given that representatives of the relevant female lines are available for comparison.

Implications

  • The study challenges the traditional belief that Arabian horses of the same strain necessarily share a common maternal ancestry, based on the observed diversity in their mitochondrial DNA sequences.
  • This research could have wide applications in understanding genetic diversity, lineage, and breeding practices in Arabian horses and offers a reliable approach to resolving complex historical maternity issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Bowling AT, Del Valle A, Bowling M. (2000). A pedigree-based study of mitochondrial D-loop DNA sequence variation among Arabian horses. Anim Genet, 31(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2052.2000.00558.x

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 0268-9146
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-7

Researcher Affiliations

Bowling, A T
  • Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
Del Valle, A
    Bowling, M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
      • Female
      • Haplotypes / genetics
      • Horses / genetics
      • Pedigree
      • Sequence Analysis, DNA

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