Genetic analysis of seven Italian horse breeds based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop variation.
Abstract: To understand the origin and genetic diversity of Italian horses, mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences were generated for 163 horses from seven breeds. Sequence analysis of a 480-bp segment revealed a total of 84 haplotypes with 57 polymorphic sites, indicating multiple maternal origins and high genetic diversity. Comparison of the haplotypes with the equine mtDNA haplotype/haplogroup nomenclature showed a haplogroup distribution in the Italian breeds more similar to that found in the Middle East breeds than in the European breeds, probably due to the economic and cultural relationship with the Middle East in the past centuries.
© 2014 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
Publication Date: 2014-04-05 PubMed ID: 24702170DOI: 10.1111/age.12156Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research aimed to understand the origin and genetic diversity of Italian horse breeds by analyzing their mitochondrial DNA. The findings highlight a high level of genetic diversity and suggest multiple maternal origins as well as a close relation to Middle Eastern breeds, likely due to past economic and cultural connections.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The primary objective of this study was to analyze the genetic makeup and diversity of seven Italian horse breeds. To achieve this, the researchers focused on sequence variations in the mitochondrial DNA D-loop.
- The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop is a portion of the mtDNA where variations or mutations can readily occur. This makes it an excellent marker for tracing maternal lineage and genetic diversity in species.
- To carry out the study, mtDNA D-loop sequences were generated for a total of 163 horses from the seven breeds. The segment analyzed was 480 base pairs (bp) in length.
Findings of the Study
- Analysis of the 480-bp segment of the mtDNA D-loop indicated high genetic diversity among the Italian horse breeds, with a total of 84 different haplotypes detected. A haplotype refers to a group of genes inherited together from a single parent, and the large number of different haplotypes underscores multiple maternal origins for the breeds.
- The study noted 57 polymorphic sites within the 480 bp segment. These sites are locations in the D-loop segment where mutations occur, and their presence further supports the high level of genetic diversity found in Italian horse breeds.
Comparison with Other Horse Breeds
- The study compared the detected haplotypes with established equine mtDNA haplotype/haplogroup nomenclatures. A haplogroup refers to a group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor, and their nomenclature helps classify different horse breeds according to maternal lineage.
- The comparison revealed that the haplogroup distribution in the Italian breeds was more aligned with that of Middle Eastern breeds compared to European breeds. This suggests a closer maternal lineage connection between Italian and Middle Eastern horses than between Italian and other European horses.
- The study attributes this closer connection to historical economic and cultural interactions between Italy and the Middle East, which likely facilitated the exchange and inter-breeding of horses between these regions.
Cite This Article
APA
Bigi D, Perrotta G, Zambonelli P.
(2014).
Genetic analysis of seven Italian horse breeds based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop variation.
Anim Genet, 45(4), 593-595.
https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12156 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science and Technology (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli 107, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
- Genetic Variation
- Haplotypes / genetics
- Horses / genetics
- Italy
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- 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.
- Lancioni H, Cardinali I, Giontella A, Antognoni MT, Miglio A. Mitochondrial DNA variation in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse.. PeerJ 2020;8:e8996.
- Khaudov AD, Duduev AS, Kokov ZA, Amshokov KK, Zhekamukhov MK, Zaitsev AM, Reissmann M. Genetic analysis of maternal and paternal lineages in Kabardian horses by uniparental molecular markers.. Open Vet J 2018;8(1):40-46.
- Ianella P, Albuquerque MSM, Paiva SR, Egito AA, Almeida LD, Sereno FTPS, Carvalho LFR, Mariante AS, McManus CM. D-loop haplotype diversity in Brazilian horse breeds.. Genet Mol Biol 2017 Jul-Sep;40(3):604-609.
- Cieslak J, Wodas L, Borowska A, Cothran EG, Khanshour AM, Mackowski M. Characterization of the Polish Primitive Horse (Konik) maternal lines using mitochondrial D-loop sequence variation.. PeerJ 2017;5:e3714.
- Cardinali I, Lancioni H, Giontella A, Capodiferro MR, Capomaccio S, Buttazzoni L, Biggio GP, Cherchi R, Albertini E, Olivieri A, Cappelli K, Achilli A, Silvestrelli M. An Overview of Ten Italian Horse Breeds through Mitochondrial DNA.. PLoS One 2016;11(4):e0153004.
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