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The Genetic Diversity of Horse Native Breeds in Russia.
Abstract: Horses were domesticated later than other farm animals. Horse breeds have been selectively developed by humans to satisfy different needs and purposes. The factory and indigenous breeds are of particular interest, having been bred in purity for many centuries without the addition of foreign blood. Data from 31 stud farms, as well as ranches, located in fifteen regions of the Russian Federation were used in this work. DNA was sampled from 102 stallions of 11 breeds: Arabian, Akhal-Teke, Don, Orlov Trotter, Vladimir Heavy Draft, Russian Heavy Draft, Soviet Heavy Draft, Kabardin, Yakut, Tuva, and Vyatka. Data on the origin of each animal from which the material was collected were taken into account. DNA genotyping was carried out using GGP Equine 70 k array chips (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Genetic diversity of horse breeds was estimated using Admixture 1.3. and PLINK 1.9 software. FROH inbreeding was computed via the R detectRUNS package. The minimum length for ROH was set at 1 Mb to reduce the occurrence of false positives. We conducted PCA analysis using PLINK 1.9, and used the ggplot2 library in R for visualizing the results. Indigenous equine breeds, such as Vyatka, Tuva, and Yakut, are very hardy, and well adapted to local environmental and climatic conditions. They are employed as draft power, as well as for milk and meat. Both the Akhal-Teke breed and the Arabian breed have retained a minimum effective population size over many generations. We note significant accumulations of homozygosity in these breeds. In equestrian sports, performance is a top priority. ADMIXTURE and PCA analyses showed similarities between Don equine breeds and Kabardin, as well as some Arabian breed animals. Earlier research indicated the presence of thoroughbred traits in Don stallions. The Orlov Trotter breed stands out as a separate cluster in the structural and PCA analyses. Considering the small population size of this breed, our study found high FROH in all tested animals. The general reduction in the diversity of the horse breed gene pool, due to numerous crosses for breed improvement with thoroughbreds, has lead to a decline in the differences between the top sporting breeds. Our study presents new opportunities for exploring the genetic factors that influence the formation of adaptive traits in indigenous breeds, and for finding ways to preserve genetic diversity for effective population reproduction.
Publication Date: 2023-11-28 PubMed ID: 38136970PubMed Central: PMC10743158DOI: 10.3390/genes14122148Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article focuses on understanding the genetic diversity of various horse breeds, including native ones, in Russia by analyzing DNA samples from different stallions. The ultimate goal of this study is to glean insights into the potential genetic factors that influence the development of adaptable traits in indigenous breeds and potential methods to maintain this genetic diversity.
Understanding the Research
- The researchers gathered DNA samples from 102 stallions of 11 breeds, including Arabian, Akhal-Teke, Don, Orlov Trotter, Vladimir Heavy Draft, and several others. These samples came from 31 stud farms and ranches across fifteen regions in Russia. The ancestry of each stallion was also considered to add precision to the results.
- The DNA genotyping was performed with GGP Equine 70 k array chips. The genetic diversity of the horse breeds was then estimated using Admixture 1.3 and PLINK 1.9 software. Inbreeding was calculated using the R detectRUNS package.
- Further analysis was conducted to determine accumulations of homozygosity (a condition where the two copies of any given gene gleaned from the parent are the same) in specific breeds, notably the Arabian and Akhal-Teke breeds. These two breeds have maintained a minimal effective population size over many generations.
- The researchers also used PCA analysis and ADMIXTURE analysis to discover the similarities between different breeds. For instance, similarities were found between the Don breed, the Kabardin breed, and some Arabian stallions. Previous research already hinted at thoroughbred traits in Don stallions, which this research supported.
Significance of Results
- One of the critical findings in the research is about the Orlov Trotter breed, which forms a separate cluster according to structural and PCA analysis. Despite its small population size, high inbreeding levels were found amongst this breed.
- The researchers also noted that the continuous crossbreeding of horses for sporting and improved breed has reduced genetic diversity amongst the top sporting breeds. This reduced diversity could affect the future adaptability and resilience of these breeds.
- This study provides a gateway for further research into the genetic factors affecting native breeds’ adaptability, aiding conservation efforts. This understanding, in turn, can help preserve these genetic diversities, crucial for the effective reproduction of the population in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Atroshchenko M, Dementieva N, Shcherbakov Y, Nikolaeva O, Azovtseva A, Ryabova A, Nikitkina E, Makhmutova O, Datsyshin A, Zakharov V, Zaitsev A.
(2023).
The Genetic Diversity of Horse Native Breeds in Russia.
Genes (Basel), 14(12), 2148.
https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14122148 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding (ARRIH), Ryazan Region, Rybnovskij District, Divovo 391105, Russia.
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding-Branch of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, 55A, Moskovskoye Sh., Tyarlevo, St. Petersburg, Pushkin 196625, Russia.
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding-Branch of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, 55A, Moskovskoye Sh., Tyarlevo, St. Petersburg, Pushkin 196625, Russia.
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding-Branch of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, 55A, Moskovskoye Sh., Tyarlevo, St. Petersburg, Pushkin 196625, Russia.
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding-Branch of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, 55A, Moskovskoye Sh., Tyarlevo, St. Petersburg, Pushkin 196625, Russia.
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding-Branch of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, 55A, Moskovskoye Sh., Tyarlevo, St. Petersburg, Pushkin 196625, Russia.
- Russian Research Institute of Farm Animal Genetics and Breeding-Branch of the L.K. Ernst Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry, 55A, Moskovskoye Sh., Tyarlevo, St. Petersburg, Pushkin 196625, Russia.
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding (ARRIH), Ryazan Region, Rybnovskij District, Divovo 391105, Russia.
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding (ARRIH), Ryazan Region, Rybnovskij District, Divovo 391105, Russia.
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding (ARRIH), Ryazan Region, Rybnovskij District, Divovo 391105, Russia.
- All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding (ARRIH), Ryazan Region, Rybnovskij District, Divovo 391105, Russia.
MeSH Terms
- Humans
- Horses / genetics
- Animals
- Male
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Inbreeding
- Animals, Domestic
- Russia
- DNA
Grant Funding
- 075-15-2021-1037 / the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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