Molecular characterization and differentiation of five horse breeds raised in Algeria using polymorphic microsatellite markers.

The research analyzes the genetic diversity and differentiation among five horse breeds in Algeria, using polymorphic microsatellite markers. It also provides significant insights about the genetic relationships between these breeds.

Genetic Analysis Methodology

• The study uses polymorphic microsatellite markers, a highly effective method of DNA analysis. These markers allow researchers to compare specific, common segments of DNA amongst different specimens and help in establishing genetic relationships and differences.
• A total of 14 different microsatellite loci (specific locations on a chromosome) were analyzed among five horse breeds namely, Barb, Arab-Barb, Arabian, Thoroughbred and French Trotter, examining in total 201 horses.
• The genetic data was analyzed to pull out key findings such as allele number per locus, observed and expected heterozygosities and genetic differentiation.

Genetic Diversity and Differentiation

• The research determined that all microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all the breeds, indicating a high level of genetic diversity. The total count of 123 alleles were detected from the studied loci.
• The number of alleles present in a single locus was found to be highest in Arab-Barb horses (7.86) and lowest in the thoroughbred breed (5.71).
• The observed and expected heterozygosities (diversity due to different gene forms) for the breeds ranged from 0.71 (Thoroughbred) to 0.752 (Barb) and 0.71 (Thoroughbred) to 0.77 (Arab-Barb) respectively, further evidencing the differences between breeds.
• The genetic differentiation between the breeds was found to be significant based on the infinitesimal model (FST), a measure of population differentiation due to genetic structure.

Evaluation of Genetic Relationships

• Three different techniques were used to evaluate the genetic relationships within the breeds: Genetic distances, the factorial correspondence analysis, and structure analysis.
• The data from these analyses showed that each breed has significant genetic variation, even those breeds native to the same region.
• The Barb and Arab-Barb breeds were found to have the closest genetic relationship, supporting the consideration of these breeds as part of the same genetic population.