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Life (Basel, Switzerland)2025; 15(12); 1925; doi: 10.3390/life15121925

Genetic Characterization of the Arabian Horse Population in Tunisia Using Microsatellites.

Abstract: The genetic diversity and population structure of Tunisian Arabian horses were assessed using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, which are critical for conservation and breeding programs. Despite the cultural and economic importance of Arabian horses in Tunisia, molecular data supporting their management remain limited. In this study, DNA from 130 horses was genotyped with 17 ISAG-FAO-recommended microsatellites to evaluate diversity within Eastern and Western Arabian lineages and their relationship to Thoroughbreds. Eastern Arabians showed an average of 5.176 alleles per locus, observed heterozygosity of 0.657, expected heterozygosity of 0.677, and a fixation index of 0.028, while Western Arabians displayed 5.941 alleles, heterozygosity values of 0.689 (Ho) and 0.688 (He), and a fixation index of -0.006. Genetic differentiation was low between Eastern and Western Arabians (0.011) but moderate between Eastern Arabians and Thoroughbreds (0.071), with high gene flow within Arabian subpopulations (0.950). Principal component analysis confirmed distinct subpopulations. These findings highlight high genetic diversity in Western Arabians and variable heterozygosity in Eastern Arabians, providing a molecular basis for targeted breeding strategies to preserve genetic traits, control inbreeding, and ensure the long-term sustainability of Tunisian Arabian horse populations.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-16 PubMed ID: 41465863PubMed Central: PMC12735056DOI: 10.3390/life15121925Google Scholar: Lookup
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APA
Jlassi M, Dhifalli I, Ouled Ahmed H, Lasfar F, El Gtari M, Jemmali B. (2025). Genetic Characterization of the Arabian Horse Population in Tunisia Using Microsatellites. Life (Basel), 15(12), 1925. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15121925

Publication

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2075-1729
NlmUniqueID: 101580444
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 12
PII: 1925

Researcher Affiliations

Jlassi, Mariem
  • Mateur Higher School of Agriculture, University of Carthage, Mateur 7030, Tunisia.
Dhifalli, Iheb
  • Mateur Higher School of Agriculture, University of Carthage, Mateur 7030, Tunisia.
Ouled Ahmed, Hatem
  • Veterinary Research Institute of Tunisia, Tunis 1006, Tunisia.
Lasfar, Faten
  • National Foundation for the Improvement of the Horse Breed, Sidi Thabet 2020, Tunisia.
El Gtari, Mohamed
  • Mateur Higher School of Agriculture, University of Carthage, Mateur 7030, Tunisia.
Jemmali, Bayrem
  • Mateur Higher School of Agriculture, University of Carthage, Mateur 7030, Tunisia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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