Genetic Characterization of Mangalarga Marchador Breed Horses Based on Microsatellite Molecular Markers.
Abstract: The Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horse breed has expressive importance in the Brazilian economy. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate diversity in the MM breed. A database with a total of 3,193 genotyped horses was used (MM, n = 2,829; Andalusian - AND, n = 67; Pure Blood Lusitano - LUS, n = 43; English Thoroughbred - THO, n = 54; Arabian - ARA, n = 99; Campolina - CAM, n = 61; and Mangalarga - MAN, n = 40) for 13 microsatellite. Diversity parameters were estimates, such as mean number of alleles (Nm) and the number of rare alleles (AR), expected heterozygosity (He), F statistics, genetic distances, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test (HWE), population structure, and others. The Nm was 10.85, the AR was prevalent in the MM, and the He was 0.7402. In MM, the values of Fis (-0.0195), Fit (0.0566), Fst (0.0748), and deviations of HWE were observed. The genetic distances of the ARA and THO breeds with the other breeds were greater than the distances between the Brazilian breeds and between these and the breeds in the Iberian Peninsula. The population structure indicated that MM was substructured, yet there were some more genetically defined breeding farms. The genetic diversity is satisfactory for MM conservation, but the population is substructure, and parameters indicate moderate gene flow and the existence, though few, of crosses with other horse breeds. Immediate implementation of a genetic breeding program is required, especially seeking to conserve the structure of the MM breed as a well-defined genetic entity.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2020-09-30 PubMed ID: 33276913DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103231Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates genetic diversity in the Mangalarga Marchador horse breed in Brazil using microsatellite markers. The findings indicate moderate gene flow and some crossbreeding with other horse breeds, suggesting the need for a genetic breeding program to conserve the breed’s unique genetic structure.
Sample Population and Methodology
- The research involved a database of 3,193 genotyped horses, including 2,829 Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horses and smaller samples of six other breeds.
- Researchers analyzed the data using 13 microsatellite markers, molecular tools used for determining genetic diversity and population structure.
- The parameters estimated included mean number of alleles (Nm), number of rare alleles (AR), expected heterozygosity (He), F statistics, genetic distances, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test (HWE), and population structure.
Findings
- The MM breed revealed a mean number of alleles (Nm) of 10.85 and expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.7402. These parameters suggest the presence of significant genetic diversity within the breed.
- F statistics indicated some deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, a state in a population where genetic variation remains constant through generations. This suggests the presence of processes such as mutation, selection, or genetic drift.
- Genetic distance analysis showed that Arabian (ARA) and English Thoroughbred (THO) breeds had greater distances with the other breeds than the distances between the Brazilian breeds (including MM) and the breeds from the Iberian Peninsula.
- Population structure analysis suggested gene flow (exchange of genetic variation) amongst the MM population and some evidence of crossbreeding with other horse breeds.
Implications
- The findings point to a need for immediate implementation of a genetic breeding program to ensure the conservation of the genetic diversity of the MM breed, potentially faced with a dilution of its genetic definition due to crossbreeding.
- Such a program would need to strive to maintain the breed’s distinctive genetic characteristics while managing its diversity and preventing potential inbreeding.
Cite This Article
APA
Baena MM, Diaz S, Moura RS, Meirelles SLC.
(2020).
Genetic Characterization of Mangalarga Marchador Breed Horses Based on Microsatellite Molecular Markers.
J Equine Vet Sci, 95, 103231.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103231 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Department Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Department Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: sarah@ufla.br.
MeSH Terms
- Alleles
- Animals
- Brazil
- Genetic Variation
- Genotype
- Horses / genetics
- Microsatellite Repeats / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Hall SJG. Genetic Differentiation among Livestock Breeds-Values for F(st). Animals (Basel) 2022 Apr 26;12(9).
- Karlau A, Azcona F, Molina A, Trigo P, Sánchez-Serrano JP, Demyda-Peyrás S. Exploring the Genetic Link Between Coat Colour and Morphological Traits: The Case of Peruano de Paso Horse. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 17;15(18).
- Paul S, Shahar N, Seifan M, Bar-David S. An experimental design for obtaining DNA of a target species and its diet from a single non-invasive genetic protocol. Ecol Evol 2023 Oct;13(10):e10616.
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