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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Breed Genet / Exploring genetic diversity in an Italian horse native breed...
Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie2018; 135(6); 450-459; doi: 10.1111/jbg.12357

Exploring genetic diversity in an Italian horse native breed to develop strategies for preservation and management.

Abstract: Genetic diversity is a key factor for both adaptation and response to selection. The loss of genetic diversity causes a decrease in individual fitness, and it has a dramatically negative effect on population lifespan in the long term. This study aimed at exploring the genetic diversity at pedigree level of the Bardigiano horse breed, which is a native breed from Italy shaped for living in rural areas. In 1977, the Bardigiano studbook was founded to preserve the breed and for improving its use for riding and draft purposes. Pedigree data contained 9,469 horses, of which 3,416 were alive. Demographic and genetic parameters were estimated on subpopulations to evaluate potential genetic diversity differences among breeding and nonbreeding animals, and animals showing different breeding values (EBVs) for an index combining 18 conformation traits. Throughout the studied period, inbreeding steadily increased, reaching in the last birth year cohort a mean value equal to 0.10. The rate of inbreeding per generation, assuming a mean generation interval of 8.74 years, was equal to 1.64%. Moreover, significant differences on both average relatedness and inbreeding among horses with high and low EBVs were shown. Our study unravelled the state of genetic diversity in the Bardigiano breed, highlighting that breeding strategies for optimizing the contribution of breeding animals in the coming generations are needed to ensure long-term survival of the Bardigiano horse breed.
© 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2018-08-22 PubMed ID: 30136312DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12357Google 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.

This research investigates the level of genetic diversity in the Bardigiano horse, a native breed from Italy, with the aim of developing strategies for its preservation and improvement for riding and draft purposes.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study sought to explore the genetic diversity of the Bardigiano horse breed at the pedigree level. A pedigree is a recorded ancestry that helps in understanding the genetic composition and diversity of a species or breed.
  • The researchers analyzed pedigree data, containing 9,469 horses, of which 3,416 were alive. The data was divided into subpopulations to compare and evaluate potential genetic diversity differences among breeding and nonbreeding animals.
  • The team also studied estimates of inventories showing different breeding values (EBVs) for a combined index of 18 conformation traits. These traits are likely physical attributes that aid in the breed’s suitability for riding and draft purposes.

Findings

  • Over the studied period, the researchers found that inbreeding, the act of breeding from closely related animals, increased steadily, reaching an average of 0.10 in the last birth year cohort.
  • The rate of inbreeding per generation was calculated to be 1.64%, assuming an average generation interval of 8.74 years.
  • The study found significant differences in both average relatedness and inbreeding among horses with high and low EBVs. Relatedness refers to genetic resemblance between individuals, and these differences imply the variations in breeding value within the breed.

Conclusion

  • Based on these findings, it was concluded that breeding strategies aimed at optimizing the contribution of breeding animals in future generations were necessary for the long-term survival of the Bardigiano horse breed.
  • Insight into the state of genetic diversity in this breed informs concerted efforts towards preservation and management, with emphasis on avoiding potential health and genetic issues caused by inbreeding.

Cite This Article

APA
Ablondi M, Vasini M, Beretti V, Superchi P, Sabbioni A. (2018). Exploring genetic diversity in an Italian horse native breed to develop strategies for preservation and management. J Anim Breed Genet, 135(6), 450-459. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12357

Publication

Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie
ISSN: 1439-0388
NlmUniqueID: 100955807
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 135
Issue: 6
Pages: 450-459

Researcher Affiliations

Ablondi, Michela
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Vasini, Matteo
  • Libro Genealogico Cavallo Bardigiano, Associazione Regionale Allevatori dell'Emilia-Romagna, Parma, Italy.
Beretti, Valentino
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Superchi, Paola
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.
Sabbioni, Alberto
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation
  • Horses / genetics
  • Male

Grant Funding

  • PSNR

Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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  3. Ablondi M, Sabbioni A, Stocco G, Cipolat-Gotet C, Dadousis C, van Kaam JT, Finocchiaro R, Summer A. Genetic Diversity in the Italian Holstein Dairy Cattle Based on Pedigree and SNP Data Prior and After Genomic Selection. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:773985.
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    doi: 10.3390/ani11020269pubmed: 33494478google scholar: lookup
  6. Mancin E, Ablondi M, Mantovani R, Pigozzi G, Sabbioni A, Sartori C. Genetic Variability in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse from Pedigree Data and Genomic Information. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jul 30;10(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10081310pubmed: 32751586google scholar: lookup
  7. Giontella A, Sarti FM, Cardinali I, Giovannini S, Cherchi R, Lancioni H, Silvestrelli M, Pieramati C. Genetic Variability and Population Structure in the Sardinian Anglo-Arab Horse. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 11;10(6).
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  8. Ablondi M, Dadousis C, Vasini M, Eriksson S, Mikko S, Sabbioni A. Genetic Diversity and Signatures of Selection in a Native Italian Horse Breed Based on SNP Data. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jun 8;10(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10061005pubmed: 32521830google scholar: lookup
  9. Giontella A, Cardinali I, Lancioni H, Giovannini S, Pieramati C, Silvestrelli M, Sarti FM. Mitochondrial DNA Survey Reveals the Lack of Accuracy in Maremmano Horse Studbook Records. Animals (Basel) 2020 May 12;10(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10050839pubmed: 32408648google scholar: lookup
  10. Mariani E, Summer A, Ablondi M, Sabbioni A. Genetic Variability and Management in Nero di Parma Swine Breed to Preserve Local Diversity. Animals (Basel) 2020 Mar 24;10(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10030538pubmed: 32213904google scholar: lookup
  11. Luštrek B, Šimon M, Turk K, Bogičević S, Potočnik K. Comparing Genomic and Pedigree Inbreeding Coefficients in the Slovenian Lipizzan Horse as a Case Study for Small Closed Populations. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 23;15(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15192774pubmed: 41096369google scholar: lookup
  12. Yordanov G, Yordanov T, Mehandjyiski I, Radoslavov G, Salkova D, Hristov P. Population Structure and Genetic Diversity Among Shagya Arabian Horse Genealogical Lineages in Bulgaria Based on Microsatellite Genotyping. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 19;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12080776pubmed: 40872726google scholar: lookup
  13. Yuan H, Li C, Zhao S, Yang Y, Chao Z, Xia C, Quan J, Gao C. Unraveling the genetic diversity and adaptive traits of laboratory pig breeds within the perspective of whole - genome resequencing. BMC Genomics 2025 Jul 1;26(1):604.
    doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11790-9pubmed: 40597630google scholar: lookup
  14. Asti V, Summer A, Ablondi M, Sartori C, Giontella A, Pilastro V, Mecocci S, Cappelli K, Mancin E, Oian A, Mantovani R, Capomaccio S, Sabbioni A. Selection signatures and inbreeding: exploring genetic diversity in five native horse breeds. BMC Vet Res 2025 May 16;21(1):346.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04794-wpubmed: 40380299google scholar: lookup
  15. Asti V, Ablondi M, Molle A, Zanotti A, Vasini M, Sabbioni A. Inertial measurement unit technology for gait detection: a comprehensive evaluation of gait traits in two Italian horse breeds. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1459553.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1459553pubmed: 39479203google scholar: lookup
  16. Carrillo Heredero AM, Sabbioni A, Asti V, Ablondi M, Summer A, Bertini S. Fecal microbiota characterization of an Italian local horse breed. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1236476.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1236476pubmed: 38425839google scholar: lookup
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