SLA typing using the PCR‐SSP method and establishment of the SLA homozygote line in pedigreed SNU miniature pigs

Seoul National University (SNU) miniature pigs represent a closed colony with 24 founder pigs and a well preserved pedigree. Characterization using mRNA sequence analysis was conducted for 6 swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) loci in parental or founder pigs, and 17 defined alleles were detected. Based on these complete coding sequences, 17 sequence specific primers (SSPs) were designed for polymorphic sites. To validate the specificity of each allele SSP, the PCR‐SSP was conducted with defined allele clones as templates. PCR‐SSP was conducted with the hot start polymerase and touch‐down PCR. The parental or found SNU miniature pigs showed overall SLA class I and II heterozygotes. Using the established PCR‐SSP method, we conducted SLA typing for breeding stock including 2 pedigreed pigs and identified the novel SLA class II homozygote haplotye (DRA*0201, DRB1*0403, DQA*0102 and DQB1*0701) and 2 SLA homozygote pig lines: SLA class I Hp‐3.0 and class II Hp‐0.3, and SLA class I Hp‐2.0 and class II Hp‐0.2. We thought that our PCR‐SSP SLA typing method could be applicable for new SLA homozygote line establishment by assignment and scheduled breeding.     

The phylogenetic status of typical Chinese native pigs: analyzed by Asian and European pig mitochondrial genome sequences

China is one of the most diverse countries, which have developed 88 indigenous pig breeds. Several studies showed that pigs were independently domesticated in multiple regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin and evolution of Chinese pigs using complete mitochondrial genomic sequences (mtDNA) from Asian and European domestic pigs and wild boars. Thirty primer pairs were designed to determine the mtDNA sequences of Xiang pig, Large White, Lantang, Jinhua and Pietrain. The phylogenetic status of Chinese native pigs was investigated by comparing the mtDNA sequences of complete coding regions and D-loop regions respectively amongst Asian breeds, European breeds and wild boars. The analyzed results by two cluster methods contributed to the same conclusion that all pigs were classified into two major groups, European clade and Asian clade. It revealed that Chinese pigs were only recently diverged from each other and distinctly different from European pigs. Berkshire was clustered with Asian pigs and Chinese pigs were involved in the development of Berkshire breeding. The Malaysian wild boar had distant genetic relationship with European and Asian pigs. Jinhua and Lanyu pigs had more nucleotide diversity with Chinese pigs although they all belonged to the Asian major clade. Chinese domestic pigs were clustered with wild boars in Yangtze River region and South China.     

中国地方猪种线粒体基因组遗传多样性及其系统发育分析

为从分子水平上探究中国地方猪种遗传多样性和分类地位,本试验采用生物信息学方法比较了6个类型共22个中国地方猪种的线粒体基因组全序列,分析了其多态性,并构建了6个类型猪种线粒体D-loop区单倍型的网络中介图以及基于线粒体D-loop序列、Cytb基因、完整编码区序列的系统进化树。结果表明,6个类型22个猪种中共检测到了144个多态位点,22种单倍型,说明地方猪种具有丰富的遗传多样性;地方猪线粒体基因组序列中核苷酸变异以转换为主,且Ti/Tv大于转换/颠换比临界值（2.0）,变异位点均符合中性突变。6个类型猪种间遗传距离均较小,且有共享单倍型。系统进化树结果表明,6种类型地方猪种主要聚为两个支系。表明线粒体D-loop序列及Cytb基因均可作为研究种内系统发育、起源进化的分子标记。     

Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome in Chinese Indigenous Pig Breeds

In order to explore the genetic diversity and the classification status of the Chinese domestic pigs at the molecular level, the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomic sequences of 22 Chinese indigenous pig breeds from 6 types were downloaded from GenBank for the analysis using the bioinformatics method. The polymorphism of nucleic acid sequences was analyzed,the molecular phylogenetic tree based on D-loop sequences, Cytb gene, complete coding region mtDNA sequences and the Median-Joining network of the mtDNA D-loop haplotypes were constructed for 22 pig breeds from 6 types. The results showed that a total of 144 mutation sites among 22 pig breeds were detected, 22 haplotypes were discovered, which indicated that Chinese indigenous pig breeds had abundant genetic diversity. According to the complete mtDNA genomic sequences analysis, which suggested that the main mutations was transition, the transition/transversion ratio was greater than 2.0 and all mutations were in line with the neutral mutation. Our findings clearly demonstrated that there was a near genetic distance among 6 types, meanwhile, the shared haplotypes were found. The phylogenetic tree showed that Chinese indigenous pigs from 6 types were diverged from two ancestors.The results indicated that mtDNA D-loop and Cytb gene might serve as molecular markers for phylogenesis, origin and evolution.     

Interpopulation and intrapopulation maternal lineage genetics of the Lanyu pig (Sus scrofa) by analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences

The Lanyu pig is an indigenous breed from the Lanyu Islet, which is southeast of Taiwan. Two herds of Lanyu pigs were introduced from the Lanyu Islet into Taiwan in 1975 and 1980. The current population of conserved Lanyu pigs consists of only 44 animals with unknown genetic lineage. The Lanyu pig possesses a distinct maternal genetic lineage remote from Asian and European pigs. The present study aimed to understand the phylogenetic relationship among conserved Lanyu, Asian, and European type pigs based on the cytochrome b coding gene, to ascertain the maternal lineage and genetic diversity within the conserved Lanyu pigs, and to address whether genetic introgression from exotic or Formosan wild pigs had occurred in the conserved Lanyu pigs. Entire mitochondrial genomes of both types of Lanyu pig comprised 2 ribosomal RNA, 22 transfer RNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Only 2 haplotypes of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and cytochrome b were identified in the conserved Lanyu pig herds. When maximum likelihood trees were constructed, the Type I Lanyu mitochondrial genes formed a unique clade with a large pairwise distance of both cytochrome b and the control region from Asian and European type breeds, Formosan wild pigs, and exotic breeds. Significant loss of genetic diversity of mtDNA within the conserved Lanyu pigs was demonstrated by low haplotype and nucleotide diversities, supported by Fu and Li's D* neutrality test (1.44055; P < 0.05). The mtDNA control region sequences of extant pigs in the Lanyu Islet, however, showed high haplotype and nucleotide diversity, and clustered with exotic pigs. These results indicate no maternal lineage mtD-NA gene introgression from Formosan wild pigs and introduced exotic pigs to conserved Type I Lanyu pigs, and a severe loss of heterozygosity of mtDNA in conserved Lanyu pigs. The remaining extant pigs on the Lanyu Islet have been introgressed with exotic breeds. Strategies for future conservation of native Lanyu pigs are now even more urgent and important.     

Haplotype diversity in MC1R locus between the Min and white-haired pig breeds

In this article, we investigated the genetic variations in the coding region of porcine melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene in three pig breeds (Min, Yorkshire and Landrace) with black and white coat colors. Six polymorphic sites were found to be significantly associated with coat color. Two blocks were identified in the linkage disequilibrium map, the haplotypes in the first block are nt67/68indelCC and nt67/68indel--, and the haplotypes in the second block are ACCGA and GTTAG. The median-joining network diagram of MC1R haplotypes showed most Min pigs and other Asia domestic breeds own similar haplotypes to ACCGA, while the haplotypes of Europe pig breeds are similar to GTTAG. The phylogenetic analysis of the MC1R CDS further showed Min pigs are close to Laiwu pigs (Shandong, China), which indicated that the black coat color trait of Min pig might be originated and evolved from the black pig breed in Shandong Peninsula of China.     

Oestrous Synchronization,Ovarian Superovulation and Intraspecific Transfers From a Closed Breeding Colony of Inbred SLA Miniature Pigs

The inbred SLA miniature pig is a unique animal model developed for organ transplantation studies and pre‐clinical experimental purposes. Reported oestrous synchronization and superovulation treatments were examined in two SLA haplotypes (AA and DD) to allow collection of embryos for both practical embryo transfer and experimental technologies from a closed breeding colony. Pre‐puberal miniature pigs were poor responders to oestrous synchronization treatments, while post‐puberal sows were equivalent to commercial sows. Following superovulation, the ovulation number (corpora .hemorrhagica) was higher (p < 0.05) in the cycling sows when compared with non‐cycling sows. Ovulations were equivalent to commercial pre‐puberal gilts and non‐cycling sows (p > 0.05). No difference in ovulation number between haplotypes was observed, which differs from the previous report (DD>AA). Collection of zygotes for pronuclear injection was the highest in the non‐cycling post‐puberal miniature pig group (p < 0.05), although significantly lower when compared with the commercial pig treatment groups (p < 0.05). The incidence of cystic endometrial hyperplasia in our colony was equivalent to rates observed in commercial pigs. Pronuclear visualization following centrifugation was the highest in the non‐cycling miniature sow group and approximates to about 25% of ovulations and about half the rate observed in the commercial pigs (50%). Miniature pig embryos transferred between SLA haplotypes and transfer of DD embryos to commercial pigs resulted in live births at a higher efficiency than previously reported. This study demonstrates the feasibility of undertaking assisted reproductive technologies in a closed breeding colony of inbred SLA miniature pigs without compromise to the breeding programmes.     

应用RAPD技术对中国3品系实验用小型猪进行亲缘关系的分析

随机扩增多态ＤＮＡ (ＲａｎｄｏｍＡｍｐｌｉｆｉｅｄｐｏｌｙｍｏｒｐｈｉｃＤＮＡ ,ＲＡＰＤ)技术 ,在动物、植物、微生物种属鉴定 ,亲缘关系的划分及多态性分析中得到广泛应用 ,但应用于小型猪方面的研究报道很少 ,尤其是对我国特有的实验用小型猪的研究 ,目前国内外尚未见报道。贵州小型香猪、广西巴马小型猪及西双版纳近交系小耳猪由于其近交程度高、遗传性稳定以及良好的实验应用效果 ,已引起了国内外相关领域的关注。本实验应用 1 0 0条随机引物对上述 3品系小型猪的基因组ＤＮＡ进行ＲＡＰＤ研究 ,旨在筛选具有品系间多态性的ＲＡ…     

Population structure of pigs determined by single nucleotide polymorphisms observed in assembled expressed sequence tags

We have collected more than 190 000 porcine expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from full‐length complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries and identified more than 2800 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In this study, we tentatively chose 222 SNPs observed in assembled ESTs to study pigs of different breeds; 104 were selected by comparing the cDNA sequences of a Meishan pig and samples of three‐way cross pigs (Landrace, Large White, and Duroc: LWD), and 118 were selected from LWD samples. To evaluate the genetic variation between the chosen SNPs from pig breeds, we determined the genotypes for 192 pig samples (11 pig groups) from our DNA reference panel with matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Of the 222 reference SNPs, 186 were successfully genotyped. A neighbor‐joining tree showed that the pig groups were classified into two large clusters, namely, Euro‐American and East Asian pig populations. F‐statistics and the analysis of molecular variance of Euro‐American pig groups revealed that approximately 25% of the genetic variations occurred because of intergroup differences. As the F_IS values were less than the F_ST values_, the clustering, based on the Bayesian inference, implied that there was strong genetic differentiation among pig groups and less divergence within the groups in our samples.     

深县猪mtDNA CytB基因的遗传多样性与母系起源研究

为探讨深县猪群体内的遗传多样性及母系起源分化,采用PCR直接测序法测定了40头深县猪的mtDNA CytB基因长1 140 bp片段的全序列,并结合GenBank已公布的15个猪种mtDNA CytB基因全序列,采用邻接法构建深县猪、部分其他地方猪种和引进猪种的系统发育树。结果显示,在1 140 bp长的序列中A、T、G、C的含量分别为25.93%、31.72%、28.90%及13.45%,其中A+T的含量(57.65%)高于G+C的含量(42.35%);共发现2个变异位点,无插入和缺失突变,全部为转换位点,其中简约信息位点2个,未发现单一信息位点。40条序列共定义了3种单倍型,单倍型多样性(HD)为0.312,核苷酸多样性(Pi)为0.00026,平均核苷酸差异数(K)为0.327。在深县猪mtDNA CytB基因全序列NJ进化树中,三种单倍型聚为同一分支,母系来源单一,与莱芜猪、大蒲莲猪等山东品种遗传距离较近。结果表明,深县猪群体内遗传多样性比较贫乏,与山东地区的华北型黑猪种群有更近的亲缘关系。     

Cryopreservation of immature oocytes of the indigeneous Vietnamese Ban Pig

We report the cryopreservation of oocytes from Ban miniature pigs which are endemic in Vietnam. Immature cumulus‐oocyte complexes were collected from antral follicles of 7–8 mo old female cyclic Ban pigs and vitrified in micro‐drops. Oocyte morphology, lipid content, post‐warming survival, nuclear maturation, and embryo development were compared to those of oocytes from commercially slaughtered Landrace × Large white hybrid pigs. The size of oocytes in the two breeds was similar. However, significantly lower amounts of intracellular lipid were detected in Ban oocytes. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between Ban and Landrace × Large white oocytes in percentages of post‐warming survival (93.1 ± 3.4% vs. 70.7 ± 16.7%, respectively) and nuclear maturation after in vitro maturation (80.4 ± 5.1% vs. 90.0 ± 1.3% respectively). Similarly, cleavage (30.8 ± 7.8% vs. 10.3 ± 6.1%, respectively) and blastocyst development rates (9.4 ± 5.0% vs. 0.79 ± 0.79, respectively) were not different (p > 0.05) between vitrified Ban and Landrace × Large white oocytes after in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. In conclusion, high survival and maturation rates were achieved after vitrification of immature Ban oocytes and their cryo‐tolerance was similar to that of Landrace × Large white oocytes, despite the difference in lipid content. We succeeded to generate reasonable rates of blastocysts from vitrified Ban oocytes by in vitro fertilization.     

阿坝藏族羌族自治州若尔盖地区藏猪mtDNA D-Loop的遗传多样性分析

旨在通过获得和对比若尔盖地区藏猪mtDNA D-Loop高变区的部分序列,为该地区藏猪遗传资源的保护与利用提供参考。本试验收集了若尔盖地区9个乡镇共80头藏猪耳组织,以甘南州藏猪mtDNA D-Loop基因序列为模板设计引物,采用PCR扩增测序技术获得了80条核苷酸序列,并采用生物信息学的数据处理方法进行分析。结果表明,若尔盖地区藏猪mtDNA D-Loop高变区（435 bp）的A+T含量（56.46%）明显高于G+C含量（43.54%）,存在碱基偏倚性现象;在80条长度为435 bp的序列中,共检测到14个变异位点,鉴定了17个单倍型,单倍型多样度（Hd）、核苷酸多样度（Pi）和平均核苷酸差异数（k）分别为0.881、0.004 66和2.028,其中Hd、Pi和k在降扎乡藏猪群体中最高,Pi和k在占哇乡藏猪中最低;共享单倍型8个,特有单倍型9个,且若尔盖地区不同藏猪群体间特有单倍型数差异较大,其中,降扎乡藏猪的特有单倍型数量最多,占单倍型总数的17.65%（3/17）;Hap_1和Hap_15单倍型是4个乡镇（降扎乡、益哇乡、热尔乡和冻列乡）群体的共享单倍型,表明这4个乡镇藏猪群体存在两个共同的母系祖先单倍型。若尔盖地区藏猪的平均遗传距离为0.004 66,其中降扎乡和冻列乡藏猪间的遗传距离最大为0.006 90,包座乡和益哇乡藏猪间的遗传距离最小为0.002 16;构建的NJ分子系统进化树将若尔盖地区藏猪分为2支,而加入中国地方家猪、野猪和引种猪后,若尔盖地区藏猪在进化树中比较分散,说明该地区藏猪母源血统遗传复杂,彼此之间基因交流多。本研究进一步证实了若尔盖地区藏猪比西藏林芝、山南、日喀则、甘孜州、阿坝州藏猪的遗传多样性程度高,受到人工选择强度低,应强化对若尔盖地区藏猪遗传资源的保护与利用。     

Genetic analysis of Ankamali pigs of India using microsatellite markers and their comparison with other domesticated Indian pig types

Ankamali pigs, the domesticated native pigs of Kerala province of India were genetically characterized using 23 FAO recommended microsatellite markers and were compared with other native Indian pig types and Large White pigs. Twenty‐six blood samples were collected from genetically unrelated animals from their breeding tract and DNA was isolated by standard procedure of phenol/chloroform. The genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at these 23 microsatellite loci, which were also used earlier to characterize Desi (North Indian) and Gahuri (North‐East Indian) pigs, the other two native domesticated pig types of India. The PCR products were resolved by denaturing urea‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and alleles were visualized after silver nitrate staining. The data were analysed for allele size range, number of alleles, allelic frequencies, heterozygosity and polymorphism information content for each locus. The allele size range varied between 92–108 bp at locus S0026 and 280–296 bp at locus IGF‐1. The total number of alleles varied between five (S0178 and S0386) and 11 (S0355). The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were found to be 0.74 ± 0.09 and 0.83 ± 0.03 respectively. In the neighbour‐joining dendrogram based on D_A genetic distances developed after 1000 bootstraps, the Ankamali pigs did not show genetic closeness either with other native Indian pig types or exotic Large White pigs with high bootstrap values indicating genetic distinctness of Ankamali pigs.     

Hepatitis E Virus of Subtype 3a in a Pig Farm,South‐Eastern France

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has emerged during the past decade as a causative agent of autochthonous hepatitis and is a clinical concern in Western developed countries. It has been increasingly recognized that pigs are a major reservoir of HEV of genotypes 3 and 4 worldwide and pig‐derived food items represent a potential source of infections by these viruses in humans. Hepatitis E virus RNA testing was performed here on faeces from rectal swabs sampled in 2012 from 50 3‐month‐old farm pigs from the same farm located in south‐eastern France than in a previous work conducted in 2007. Pig HEV sequences corresponding to genomic fragments of ORF2 and ORF1 genes were obtained after RT‐PCR amplification with in‐house protocols. Hepatitis E virus genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis. Prevalence was similar to that determined 5 years earlier (68% versus 62%). Two robust phylogenetic clusters of HEV subtypes 3a and 3f were identified, and these sequences obtained in 2012 largely differ compared with those obtained in 2007. Notably, HEV sequences obtained in 2012 from a majority (62%) of the infected pigs belonged to subtype 3a, which was not previously described in France, including not being found in any of humans, pigs or wild boars. Further studies are needed to assess the circulation of HEV‐3a in pigs and humans in this country. In addition, along with previous findings, this study supports the need for increased information to the public on the risk of HEV infection through contacts with pigs or consumption of pig‐derived products in France.     

荣昌猪和两种小型猪遗传背景的微卫星分析

荣昌猪是我国优良地方品种,巴马香猪和贵州小型香猪为我国独特小型猪品系。本研究采用美国猪基因组协作计划推荐的19个微卫星标记对荣昌猪、荣昌猪B系、巴马香猪、贵州小型香猪及外来猪种大白猪进行了遗传学检测和分析。结果表明:19个微卫星位点在群体中均表现为多态,每位点等位基因数10~23个。5个猪种中荣昌猪B系的遗传多样性最高,荣昌猪次之;2种小型猪的遗传多样性较低,其中巴马香猪的等位基因数(121个)略大于贵州小型香猪(114个),但其遗传多样性指数(平均期望杂合度0.6535±0.0347)小于贵州小型香猪(0.6919±0.0227),反映了巴马香猪较低的基因杂合度和较小的遗传变异;大白猪的遗传多样性最低。从品系的共有等位基因来看,荣昌猪B系基因背景组成中其亲本品系荣昌猪所占比例(30.22%)要大于大白猪(24.37%);大白猪和其他4个猪群体的共享等位基因数均较低(21.24%~25.12%);巴马香猪和贵州小型香猪之间共有等位基因数最高(45.06%)。采用基于遗传距离的NJ法和基于基因频率的最大似然法进行系统聚类,除了大白猪明显为独立分支及荣昌猪B系表现出较远的聚类关系外,其他3个猪种间的聚类有所不同。     

THE KANGAROO ISLAND STRAIN OF PIG IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

The feral pig from Kangaroo Island, South Australia, has descended from British breeds released onto the Island by early explorers approximately 180 years ago. It has developed into a smaller pig than the modern commercial equivalent, with distinctive and reproducible physical characteristics and a physiology which appears to bestow on it some advantages in terms of fitness and vigour. It has adapted easily to laboratory and intensive piggery conditions where it has reproduced satisfactorily. It has a higher erythrocyte count and PCV than the equivalent Large White and a lower white blood cell count. Plasma Na, K and glucose were significantly higher and HCO₃ urea and creatinine lower in the Kangaroo Island strain. It represents a useful strain of pig for biomedical research, approaching in size the miniature pigs used overseas. A useful approach to routine bleeding of pigs is described.     

Complete Mitochondrial DNA D-Loop Sequence and Genetic Diversity of Wuzhishan Pig

In order to research the genetic diversity and phylogenies of Wuzhishan pig, 56 complete mtDNA D-Loop were analyzed.55 sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 1 sequence was downloaded from GenBank.The results showed that repetitive sequence "TTATAAAACAC" appeared in the conservative regions of 21 mtDNA D-Loop sequences.13 haplotypes and 14 variable sites were observed in 56 sequences.Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity (Hd =0.838 and Pi=0.00334) indicated that Wuzhishan pig had high genetic diversity.Two branches in the phylogenetic tree and Network analysis diagram indicated that there were two maternal origins in Wuzhishan pig.The phylogenetic tree of Wuzhishan pig and other 23 species showed that Wuzhishan pig had close genetic relationship with the pig breeds in the south region of the Yangtze river.     

五指山猪线粒体控制区序列分析及遗传多样性研究

为了研究五指山猪遗传多样性和系统地位,本研究采用PCR产物直接测序法得到55条五指山猪线粒体控制区(mtDNA D-Loop)全序列,并结合GenBank中发表的1条五指山猪mtDNA D-Loop全序列进行结构分析、遗传多样性研究及系统发育分析。结果发现,56条序列中出现21次保守区变异,即"TTATAAAACAC"序列重复,共定义13个单倍型,发现14个变异位点,单倍型多样度(Hd)和核苷酸多样度(Pi)分别为0.838和0.00334,表明五指山猪遗传多样性较丰富。五指山猪线粒体控制区序列构建的系统发育树和Network网络分析呈现两大分支,推测有两个母系起源,且与GenBank中其他23个猪种的聚类结果表明,五指山猪与长江流域以南地区的猪种有着较近的亲缘关系。     

Genetic diversity and origin of Gayal and cattle in Yunnan revealed by mtDNA control region and SRY gene sequence variation

There are hump, humpless cattle and gayal distributed in Yunnan province, south‐west China, but their genetic background remains unclear. To determine the origin and genetic diversity of Yunnan gayal and cattle (Diqing, Nujiang and Wenshan cattle), we analysed mtDNA control region sequences of 71 samples and SRY gene sequences of 39 samples, together with the available sequences in GenBank. The neighbour‐joining phylogeny and the reduced median network analysis showed that Yunnan gayal originated from the hybridization between male Bos frontalis and female Bos taurus or Bos indicus, and that Yunnan cattle mostly originated from B. indicus, also containing some hybrids of male B. indicus and female B. taurus. The phylogenetic pattern of Yunnan cattle was consistent with the recently described cattle matrilineal pool from China and indicated more contribution to the Yunnan cattle from B. indicus than from B. taurus.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Nepalese domestic dwarf cattle Lulu*

Dwarf Lulu cattle, the only Bos Taurus type of cattle in Nepal, are raised under severe environments in the mountainous zone of that country. In the present study, the body measurement traits, cytogenetic and molecular genetic characteristics of the Lulu cattle are investigated. Blood samples were collected from 31 animals in four villages (altitudes 2590–3550 m) in the southern part of Mustang. The Lulu cattle had a normal karyotype with 2n = 60, XY or XX. Only one male examined had a large submetacentric X‐chromosome and a small submetacentric taurine type Y‐chromosome. The mitochodrial DNA (mtDNA) genotypes were analyzed by PCR mediated restriction fragment length polymorphisms, displacement (D)‐loop region PCR mediated single strand conformation polymorphisms, and D‐loop region sequences. Many base substitutions were found in the D‐loop region, suggesting that the Lulu cattle originated from at least 10 maternal lines. Three types of mtDNA from these cattle were found, the Bos taurus type (n = 23), the Bos indicus type (n = 6), and the Bos grunniens type (n = 2). In the village at the lowest altitude, four of the five cows were of the Bos indicus type. These results indicated that mtDNA types of the Lulu cattle mostly belong to Bos taurus, but have been hybridized with Bos indicus cattle in lower‐elevation regions in their maternal lineage.