Analysis of genetic diversity and structure of Mongolian horse using microsatellite markers.
Abstract: Mongolian horses are one of the oldest horse breeds, and are very important livestock in Mongolia as they are used in various fields such as transportation, food (milk, meat), and horse racing. In addition, research and preservation on pure Mongolian breeds are being promoted under the implementation of the new Genetics of Livestock Resources' act in Mongolia. However, despite the implementation of this act, genetic research on Mongolian horses using microsatellites (MS) has not progressed enough. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the genetic polymorphism of five breeds (Gobi shankh, Tes, Gal shar, Darkhad, and Undurshil) using 14 MS markers recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). The mean number of alleles (MNA) was 8.29, expected heterozygosity frequency (HExp) was 0.767, observed heterozygosity frequency (HObs) was 0.752, and polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.729. The Nei's genetic distance analysis showed that the genetic distance between Gobi shankh and Darkhad horses was the farthest, and the other three breeds, Tes, Gal shar, and Undurshil were found to be close to each other. Similarly, the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) showed that the Gobi shankh and Darkhad horses were genetically distinct from other breeds. On the other hand, it appears that Tes, Gal shar, and Undurshil horses, which are genetically similar, most likely interbred with each other. Therefore, it is expected that these results will help the conservation of genetic resources in Mongolia and the establishment of policies related to Mongolian horses.
© Copyright 2022 Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology.
Publication Date: 2022-11-30 PubMed ID: 36812018PubMed Central: PMC9890337DOI: 10.5187/jast.2022.e82Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 examines the genetic diversity and structure of five breeds of Mongolian horses using microsatellite markers, showing different levels of genetic distance among these breeds, which could aid in their conservation and policy-making.
Introduction
- This study investigates the genetic diversity and structure of Mongolian horses, which are amongst the oldest equine breeds. These horses are valuable livestock in Mongolia, with varied applications such as transportation, food, and horse racing.
- Despite the recent ‘Genetics of Livestock Resources’ act in Mongolia promoting research and preservation of these pure breeds, there has been insufficient genetic research on these horses using microsatellites, a type of DNA marker. This research aims to address this gap.
Methods
- Five horse breeds (Gobi shankh, Tes, Gal shar, Darkhad, and Undurshil) were analyzed using 14 microsatellite (MS) markers, as recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG).
- The genetic diversity of these breeds was evaluated based on the mean number of alleles (MNA), expected heterozygosity frequency (H), observed heterozygosity frequency (H), and polymorphism information content (PIC).
- The genetic distance between the breeds was also measured using Nei’s genetic distance analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and factorial correspondence analysis (FCA).
Results
- Overall, the MNA was found to be 8.29, the expected H was 0.767, the observed H was 0.752, and the PIC was 0.729.
- The Nei’s genetic distance analysis indicated that the Gobi shankh and Darkhad horses had the greatest genetic distance, suggesting they are distinct breeds.
- The other three breeds, namely Tes, Gal shar, and Undurshil, had genetic distances that demonstrated their close genetic relationship, suggesting that these breeds might have interbred.
- The PCoA and FCA analyses corroborated this, emphasizing the genetic distinction of Gobi shankh and Darkhad horses from other breeds.
Implications
- The results of this study could help in the preservation of these distinct genetic resources in Mongolia.
- Further, it could provide a basis for the establishment of policies related to Mongolian horses, including management of interbreeding practices to maintain the genetic distinctness of these breeds.
Cite This Article
APA
An J, Tseveen K, Oyungerel B, Kong HS.
(2022).
Analysis of genetic diversity and structure of Mongolian horse using microsatellite markers.
J Anim Sci Technol, 64(6), 1226-1236.
https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2022.e82 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea.
- Department of Biotechnology, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia.
- Department of Biotechnology, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 17024, Mongolia.
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, The Graduate School of Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea.
- Hankyong and Genetics, Anseong 17579, Korea.
- Gyeonggi Regional Research Center, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Korea.
Conflict of Interest Statement
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
References
This article includes 28 references
- Barsuren E, Namkhai B, Kong HS. Differences in serum protein 2D gel electrophoresis patterns of Przewalski’s (Mongolian wild horse) and thoroughbred horses.. Anim Sci J 2015;86:443–8.
- Hund A. The Stallion’s Mane: the next generation of horses in Mongolia.. ISP Collect 2008:558.
- Yoon ES. A research on comparison of cultural idea of horse between Korea and Mongolia - in view of customs related to horse in Korea and Mongolia.. J Korean Grassl Sci 2004;24:347–58.
- NSO [National Statistics Office of Mongolia] Government III building [Internet]. 2020. [[cited 2021 Novn17]]. http://www.1212.mn/stat.aspx?LIST_ID=976_L10_1
- Marklund S, Ellegren H, Eriksson S, Sandberg K, Andersson L, Marklund S. Parentage testing and linkage analysis in the horse using a set of highly polymorphic microsatellites.. Anim Genet 1994;25:19–23.
- Ellegren H, Johansson M, Sandberg K, Andersson L. Cloning of highly polymorphic microsatellites in the horse.. Anim Genet 1992;23:133–42.
- Cho GJ, Cho BW. Microsatellite DNA typing using 16 markers for parentage verification of the Korean native horse.. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2004;17:750–4.
- Lee S, Cho G. Parentage testing of thoroughbred horse in Korea using microsatellite DNA typing.. J Vet Sci 2006;7:63–7.
- Park SDE. Trypanotolerace in West African cattle and the population genetic effects of selection.. [Ph.D. dissertation]. Dublin, Ireland: Trinity College, University of Dublin; 2002.
- Peakall R, Smouse PE. GenAlEx 6.5: genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research—an update.. Bioinformatics 2012;28:2537–9.
- Belkhir K, Borsa P, Chikhi L, Raufaste N, Bonhomme F. GENETIX 4.05, logiciel sous Windows TM pour la génétique des populations.. Montpellier: Laboratoire Génome, Populations, Interactions CNRS UMR 5000, Université de Montpellier II; 1996-2004.
- Nei M, Tajima F, Tateno Y. Accuracy of estimated phylogenetic trees from molecular data. II. Gene frequency data.. J Mol Evol 1983;19:153–70.
- Ota T. DISPAN: genetic distance and phylogenetic analysis.. Philadelphia, PA: Pennsylvania State University, University Park; 1993.
- Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donnelly P. Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data.. Genetics 2000;155:945–59.
- Falush D, Stephens M, Pritchard JK. Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype16 data: linked loci and correlated allele frequencies.. Genetics 2003;164:1567–87.
- Earl DA, vonHoldt BM. STRUCTURE HARVESTER: a website and program for visualizing STRUCTURE output and implementing the Evanno method.. Conserv Genet Resour 2012;4:359–61.
- Evanno G, Regnaut S, Goudet J. Detecting the number of clusters of individuals using the software STRUCTURE: a simulation study.. Mol Ecol 2005;14:2611–20.
- Saitou N, Nei M. The neighbor-joining method: a new method for reconstructing phylogenetic trees.. Mol Biol Evol 1987;4:406–25.
- Jung JS, Seong J, Lee GH, Kim Y, An JH, Yun JH. Genetic diversity and relationship of Halla horse based on polymorphisms in microsatellites.. J Anim Reprod Biotechnol 2021;36:76–81.
- Berthouly C, Bed’Hom B, Tixier-Boichard M, Chen CF, Lee YP, Laloë D. Using molecular markers and multivariate methods to study the genetic diversity of local European and Asian chicken breeds.. Anim Genet 2008;39:121–9.
- Botstein D, White RL, Skolnick M, Davis RW. Construction of a genetic linkage map in man using restriction fragment length polymorphisms.. Am J Hum Genet 1980;32:314–31.
- Choi SK, Cho CY, Yeon SH, Cho BW, Cho GJ. Genetic characterization and polymorphisms for parentage testing of the Jeju horse using 20 microsatellite loci.. J Vet Med Sci 2008;70:1111–5.
- Seo JH, Park KD, Lee HK, Kong HS. Genetic diversity of Halla horses using microsatellite markers.. J Anim Sci Technol 2016;58:40.
- Cho GJ. Genetic relationship among the Korean native and alien horses estimated by microsatellite polymorphism.. 2006;19:784–8.
- Dorji J, Tamang S, Tshewang T, Dorji T, Dorji TY. Genetic diversity and population structure of three traditional horse breeds of Bhutan based on 29 DNA microsatellite markers.. PLOS ONE 2018;13:e0199376.
- Ling YH, Ma YH, Guan WJ, Cheng YJ, Wang YP, Han JL. Evaluation of the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese indigenous horse breeds using 27 microsatellite markers.. Anim Genet 2011;42:56–65.
- Jung JH, Lee MR, Ha TY, Kim SK, Shin TS, Kang HS. Assessment of genetic diversity of horse breeds using microsatellite makers.. J Life Sci 2009;19:169–73.
- Giacomoni EH, Fernández-Stolz GP, Freitas TRO. Genetic diversity in the Pantaneiro horse breed assessed using microsatellite DNA markers.. Genet Mol Res 2008;7:261–70.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Hou L, Sulayman A, Zeng Y, Zhou L, Aimaier A, Kader A, Shi L. Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Race Genetic Structure of Major Horse Breeds in Xinjiang, China. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 14;15(18).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
