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Home / Equine Research Bank / Genet Mol Biol / D-loop haplotype diversity in Brazilian horse breeds.
Genetics and molecular biology2017; 40(3); 604-609; doi: 10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2016-0166

D-loop haplotype diversity in Brazilian horse breeds.

Abstract: The first horses were brought to Brazil by the colonizers after 1534. Over the centuries, these animals evolved and adapted to local environmental conditions usually unsuitable for exotic breeds, thereby originating locally adapted Brazilian breeds. The present work represents the first description of maternal genetic diversity in these horse breeds based on D-loop sequences. A D-Loop HSV-I fragment of 252 bp, from 141 horses belonging to ten Brazilian breeds / genetic groups (locally adapted and specialized breeds) were analysed. Thirty-five different haplotypes belonging to 18 haplogroups were identified with 33 polymorphic sites. Haplotype diversity (varying from 0.20 to 0.96) and nucleotide diversity (varying from 0.0039 to 0.0239) was lower for locally adapted than for specialized breeds, with the same pattern observed for FST values. Haplogroups identified in Brazilian breeds are in agreement with previous findings in South American samples. The low variability observed mainly in locally adapted breeds, indicates that, to ensure conservation of these breeds, careful reproductive management is needed. Additional genetic characterization studies are required to support accurate decision-making.
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Publication Date: 2017-08-31 PubMed ID: 28863209PubMed Central: PMC5596364DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2016-0166Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research article explores the genetic diversity of horse breeds in Brazil, using D-loop DNA sequences to trace their evolution and adaptation to local environments since their introduction in 1534. It finds lower diversity in locally-adapted breeds and suggests careful reproductive management to conserve these breeds.

Study Background and Methodology

  • The study was conducted on the horse breeds in Brazil which have adapted and evolved over the centuries since their introduction by colonizers in 1534. These adaptations have particularly occurred in environments which were typically unsuitable for exotic breeds.
  • The researchers used a D-Loop HSV-I fragment of 252 base pairs in length, taken from 141 horses across ten different Brazilian breeds/genetic groups. D-loop sequences are a component of mitochondrial DNA frequently used in lineage mapping due to their rapid mutation rate.

Key Findings

  • The study identified 35 distinct haplotypes (variants of a gene) from the horses, distributed among 18 haplogroups (genetic groups that share a common ancestor, revealed via genetic markers). There were 33 different polymorphic sites, places in the gene sequence where mutation has happened.
  • Haplotype diversity (which tracks genetic diversity) and nucleotide diversity (which looks at variation at the molecular level) varied across the breeds. These were both lower in locally adapted breeds than in specialized breeds.
  • FST values, a measure of genetic differentiation, also followed the same pattern, with lower values in local breeds versus specialized ones.
  • The haplogroups detailed in the Brazilian breeds were consistent with those previously found in other South American samples.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The study found lower genetic diversity in locally adapted breeds. This could be a result of selective breeding or smaller breeding populations and indicates potential vulnerability for these breeds’ future conservation.
  • To protect the genetic diversity of these locally adapted breeds, the authors recommend thoughtful reproductive management.
  • Furthermore, the researchers suggest that more genetic characterization studies are required to provide the necessary information for accurate decision-making in conservation efforts.

Cite This Article

APA
Ianella P, Albuquerque MSM, Paiva SR, Egito AA, Almeida LD, Sereno FTPS, Carvalho LFR, Mariante AS, McManus CM. (2017). D-loop haplotype diversity in Brazilian horse breeds. Genet Mol Biol, 40(3), 604-609. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4685-GMB-2016-0166

Publication

Genetics and molecular biology
ISSN: 1415-4757
NlmUniqueID: 100883590
Country: Brazil
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 3
Pages: 604-609

Researcher Affiliations

Ianella, Patrícia
  • Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Albuquerque, Maria do Socorro Maués
  • Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Paiva, Samuel Rezende
  • Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Egito, Andréa Alves do
  • Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Almeida, Leonardo Daniel
  • Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Sereno, Fabiana T P S
  • Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Carvalho, Luiz Felipe Ramos
  • Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Mariante, Arthur da Silva
  • Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
McManus, Concepta Margaret
  • Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Nikbakhsh M, Varkoohi S, Seyedabadi HR. Mitochondrial DNA D-loop hyper-variable region 1 variability in Kurdish horse breed. Vet Med Sci 2023 Mar;9(2):721-728.
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  2. Resende CF, Santos AM, Cook RF, Victor RM, Câmara RJF, Gonçalves GP, Lima JG, Maciel E Silva AG, Leite RC, Dos Reis JKP. Low transmission rates of Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) in foals born to seropositive feral mares inhabiting the Amazon delta region despite climatic conditions supporting high insect vector populations. BMC Vet Res 2022 Jul 22;18(1):286.
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