Genetic Variability Trend of Lusitano Horse Breed Reared in Italy

The Lusitano Horse (LH) originates from Portugal, but is reared worldwide. Since 1994, the University of Milan has routinely tested the LHs bred in Italy for parentage control. This study aims to assess the genetic variability of the LH reared in Italy using 16 microsatellites markers. Moreover, the genetic variability changes over the years in the total population (n.384) and in unrelated horses (n.47) were evaluated. Horses were grouped according to their date of birth (1975–1990, 1991–2000, 2001–2010, 2010–2019). Standard genetic diversity parameters, including observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE; P-Val), allelic richness, and inbreeding coefficient (Fis) were estimated. In the whole period, the total population showed Ho as high as 0.69, low Fis (0.057), and imbalance for HWE. When considering the unrelated horses, Ho was seen to increase over time (from 0.594 in 1975–1990 to 0.68 in 2010–2019) and frequencies were in HWE, again having low and decreasing values of Fis (from 0.208 in 1975–1990 to 0.019 in 2010–2019). Bottleneck analysis excluded a recent population decline. Principal Coordinate Analysis at the individual level defined two clusters, the major cluster including all the most recent horses. An increasing number of dams (156% more from 2001–2010 to 2011–2019) supports the good variability recorded in the population so far. However, the high number of foals (77.2%) sired by only four stallions in recent years suggests caution in the choice of the sires for the future.

Microsatellite DNA Analysis for Diversity Study, Individual Identification and Parentage Control in Pig Breeds in Poland

Swine DNA profiling is of high importance for animal identification and parentage verification. The aim of this study was to test a set of 14 microsatellite (STR) markers recommended by ISAG for parentage verification in Polish Landrace (PL, n = 900), Polish Large White (PLW, n = 482), Pulawska (PUL, n = 127), and Duroc pigs (DU n = 108). The studied breeds showed a medium level of genetic differentiation. The average value of heterozygosity and degree of polymorphism (PIC) were above 0.5 for the studied breeds, except for the DU breed (PIC = 0.477). The population inbreeding coefficient indicates an absence of inbreeding in the studied breeds (an average value of FIS = 0.007). The cumulative power of discrimination for all breeds reached high values close to 1.0, while the probability of identity (PID) was low, with PID values ranging between 10−9 (for DU) and 10−12 (for PLW). The cumulative exclusion probability for PE1 and PE2 showed that the parentage can be confirmed with a probability of from 92.75% to 99.01% and from 99.49% to 99.97%, respectively.

The risk status of polish local breeds under conservation programmes - new approach

Native breeds of farm animals, despite their unique characteristics and adaptability to diverse and often adverse environmental conditions, are at risk due to their lower profitability and corresponding declining use. According to FAO data, there are currently around 8800 livestock breeds in the world (http://www.fao.org/dad-is/en/ update: 09.11.2019), of which 17% have been assessed to be endangered. The objective of the study was to develop a model for estimating the risk status of Polish native breeds. The proposed new model is based on 3 factors: demographic, genetic, and socio-economic. The last factor is composed of 6 elements: geographical concentration, demographic trend over the last 5 years, cultural value of a breed, parentage control, ex situ conservation and anthropogenic factors. Using the factors and elements above, among the examined 30 breeds of cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and goats, 1 was assessed as being critically endangered; 24 were determined to be endangered and in need of conservation; 5 were less endangered, but in need of constant monitoring. Out of 35 populations of poultry 29 were assessed as endangered as they were being kept in only single public collections. Six flocks of ducks were given a critical risk status, due to a very low number of females.

The evaluation of gestation length range for different breeds of Polish dairy cattle

SummaryFor over 2.5 million dairy cows subject to assessment in Poland in 2005–2010, gestation length was analyzed. This trait follows a normal distribution, and it was found that the acceptable upper limit of gestation length for the Montbéliard and Simental breeds was 306 days, this being significantly different from other breeds. For the remaining dairy cattle breeds the value was 298 days. For cows with gestation length exceeding these limiting values, parentage control would be advisable.

Validation of Pedigree Relationships Using a Multiplex Microsatellite Marker Assay in Iranian Holstein Cattle / Walidacja rodowodów irańskiego bydła holsztyńskiego przy użyciu analizy multipleks markerów mikrosatelitarnych

In the present study, the pedigree and genotype data of 94 individuals were examined for accuracy of parentage allocations and identity test using 12 fluorescent-labelled microsatellite markers in a highly sensitive and accurate ABI system. The panel of 12 markers showed mean PIC value of 0.71 and Shannon index of 1.65 and 7.58 alleles per locus, which suggests that these markers are highly polymorphic and could be useful for parentage control. Based on scoring allele sizes, a total of 91 alleles were observed within the studied population. The highest and lowest number of alleles was observed for TGLA227 locus and TGLA126 and BM1818 loci, respectively. The pedigree was considered incorrect in seven (35%) out of all the evaluated progeny, as their genotype did not match their parents. Combined EP value obtained for all loci in both parentage and identification analysis was 0.99, which indicates the high efficiency of the studied marker set and the accuracy of genotyping in ABI systems. Finally, the present findings confirmed the importance of surveying the pedigree structure and efficiency of 12 fluorescent-labelled microsatellite markers in a single multiplex PCR for parentage testing in the sampled Holstein cattle population.