Screening the Polymorphic Tri-nucleotide Repeat Microsatellites from the Genome of Maiwa Yak and Their Genetic Diversity Analysis

In order to study the genetic diversity and differentiation characteristics of the existing population of Maiwa yak and provide a theoretical basis for utilization in the future, a total of 9 466 tri-nucleotide repeats microsatellites loci were screened based on the release of genome of yaks by bioinformatics method. The tri-nucleotide repeats microsatellites were amplified by PCR using the genomic DNA of 191 Maiwa yaks as templates,and the polymorphic microsatellite loci were genotyped through polyacrylamide electrophoresis experiment. After the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test, 5 tri-nucleotide microsatellite loci were deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P <0.05). 15 microsatellite loci were highly polymorphic (PIC >0.5), the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho),mean expected heterozygosity(He) and mean polymorphic information content(PIC) were 0.5041,0.8152 and 0.7831,respectively. Maiwa yak population exhibited no characteristics of differentiation by Structure 3.0 software analysis. Therefore, Maiwa yak had plentiful genetic polymorphism while no signs of genetic differentiation were observed within the population.     

麦洼牦牛基因组三碱基重复微卫星的挖掘及其遗传多态性分析

为了解麦洼牦牛现有群体的遗传多样性及种群遗传分化特征,试验通过生物信息学方法从已公布的牦牛基因组中筛选到9 466个三碱基重复微卫星位点,以191个麦洼牦牛基因组DNA样品为模板对各个位点进行PCR扩增和聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳基因分型。经过哈迪-温伯格平衡检验,在15个三碱基微卫星位点中,有5个位点偏离哈迪-温伯格平衡（P<0.05）。15个微卫星位点均为高度多态性（PIC>0.5）,群体平均观测杂合度（Ho）、平均期望杂合度（He）和平均多态信息含量（PIC）分别达到0.5041、0.8152和0.7831。进一步通过Structure 3.0软件分析发现,麦洼牦牛群体结构单一,无分化特征,表明麦洼牦牛品种虽然具有较高的遗传多态性但是无分化迹象。     

Genetic differentiation among geographically isolated populations of Criollo cattle and their divergence from other Bos taurus breeds

The microsatellites HEL5, HEL9, INRA063, and BM2113 were used to analyze genetic similarities and differences of geographically isolated Criollo cattle herds in Mexico. Criollo cattle from five counties within the state of Chihuahua and one county from the state of Tamaulipas (n = 60) were sampled. The five counties in Chihuahua included Cerocahui (n = 14), Chinipas (n = 10), Guachochi (n = 15), Morelos (n = 30), and Temoris (n = 9). Samples of DNA were amplified by PCR and separated on a 7% polyacrylamide gel. Microsatellite size was established by comparison to M13mp18 DNA ladder and a documented set of four bovine controls. Allele frequencies and genotypic deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were tested using the GENEPOP program. Eleven alleles were generated at HEL5 for the populations sampled (149 to 169 bp). Allele frequencies were greatest for the 163-bp allele in Criollo cattle from Cerocahui, Chinipas, Moralos, and Tamaulipas (0.23 to 0.5). Cattle from Guachochi had an allele frequency of 0.38 for the 151-bp allele, and cattle from Temoris had an allele frequency of 0.25 for the 149- and 167-bp alleles, with no 163-bp allele. Amplification with HEL9 produced 12 alleles (145, 149 to 169 bp) and showed common high-frequency alleles at 149, 157, and 159 bp for animals from all regions. The Chinipas population showed a moderate allele frequency at 145 bp; no other regions contained this allele. For INRA063 there were five alleles with 182 and 184 bp in low frequency. For BM2113 there were 10 alleles in the Criollo cattle (125 to 143 bp), with an equal distribution of frequencies for all alleles. In two regions, Guachochi and Morelos, genotypic frequencies deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Cattle from the Temoris region were genetically most distant from Criollo cattle of the other five regions.     

The legacy of Columbus in American horse populations assessed by microsatellite markers

Criollo horse populations descend from horses brought from the Iberian Peninsula over the period of colonization (15th to 17th century). They are spread throughout the Americas and have potentially undergone genetic hybridization with other breeds in the recent past. In this study, 25 autosomal microsatellites were genotyped in 50 horse breeds representing Criollo populations from 12 American countries (27 breeds), breeds from the Iberian Peninsula (19), one breed each from France and Morocco and two cosmopolitan horse breeds (Thoroughbred and Arabian). The genetic relationships among breeds identified five clusters: Celtic; Iberian; North American with Thoroughbred influence; most Colombian breeds; and nearly all other Criollo breeds. The group of “all other Criollo breeds” had the closest genetic relationship with breeds originating from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically with the Celtic group. For the whole set of Criollo breeds analysed, the estimated genetic contribution from other breeds was approximately 50%, 30% and 20% for the Celtic, Iberian and Arab-Thoroughbred groups, respectively. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity indicates that hotspots of genetic diversity are observed in populations from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay and western United States, possibly indicating points of arrival and dispersion of Criollo horses in the American continent. These results indicate that Criollo breeds share a common ancestry, but that each breed has its own identity.     

Genetic structure of pig breeds from Korea and China using microsatellite loci analysis

To understand molecular genetic characteristics of Korean pigs, the genetic relationships of nine pig breeds including two Korean pigs (Korean native pig and Korean wild pig), three Chinese pigs (Min pig, Xiang pig, and Wuzhishan pig), and four European breeds (Berkshire, Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire) were characterized from a 16-microsatellite loci analysis. The mean heterozygosity within breeds ranged from 0.494 to 0.703. Across multiple loci, significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in most pig breeds, except for two Chinese pigs (Min pig and Wuzhishan pig). This deviation was in the direction of heterozygote deficit. Across population loci, 36 of 144 significantly deviated (P < 0.05) from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The mean FST, a measure of genetic divergence among subpopulations, of all loci indicated that 26.1% of total variation could be attributed to the breed difference. Relationship trees based on the Nei's DA genetic distance and scatter diagram from principal component analysis consistently displayed pronounced genetic differentiation among the Korean wild pig, Xiang pig, and Wuzhishan pig. Individual assignment test using a Bayesian method showed 100% success in assigning Korean and Chinese individual pigs into their correct breeds of origin and 100% exclusion success from all alternative reference populations at P < 0.001. These findings indicate that the Korean native pig has been experiencing progressive interbreeding with Western pig breeds after originating from a North China pig breed with a black coat color. Considering the close genetic relationship of Korean pigs to the Western breeds such as Berkshire and Landrace, our findings can be used as valuable genetic information for the preservation and further genetic improvement of the Korean native pig.     

Genetic variation within and relationships among populations of Asian goats (Capra hircus)

Genetic variation at 59 protein coding loci (16 polymorphic) and 25 microsatellite loci was analysed for 11 indigenous south-east Asian goat populations, and the Australian feral population, to determine the magnitude of genetic differentiation and the genetic relationships among the populations. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected in one or more populations for eight of the nine protein loci with codominant alleles, and for microsatellites for all except the two Sri Lankan populations and for all but four loci. For both marker types, average inbreeding coefficients ( F _IS) were exceptionally high. Heterogeneity of deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for the microsatellites showed no differences for among loci within populations as compared with among populations within loci. For protein loci, however, the former was higher, indicating selection affecting allele frequencies at some loci. The variance among protein loci was significantly higher than among microsatellite loci, further indicating selection at some protein loci. There was significant differentiation among populations for both protein and microsatellite loci, most likely reflecting the geography of south-east Asia, and the presumed spread of goats throughout the region. Phylogenies derived from pair-wise genetic distance estimates show some similar clustering for the microsatellite and protein based trees, but bootstrap support was generally low for both. A phylogeny based on the combined set of 38 protein and microsatellite loci showed better consistency with geography and higher bootstrap values. The genetic distance phylogeny and the Weitzman diversity tree derived from microsatellite data showed some identical clusters, and both identified the Ujung Pandang and Australia populations as contributing most to overall genetic diversity.     

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

In this study, genetic analyses of diversity and differentiation were performed on five horse breeds raised in Algeria (Barb, Arab‐Barb, Arabian, Thoroughbred and French Trotter). All microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all the breeds. A total of 123 alleles from 14 microsatellite loci were detected in 201 horses. The average number of alleles per locus was the highest in the Arab‐Barb horses (7.86) and lowest in the thoroughbred breed (5.71), whereas the observed and expected heterozygosities per breed ranged from 0.71 (Thoroughbred) to 0.752 (Barb) and 0.71 (Thoroughbred) to 0.77 (Arab‐Barb), respectively. The genetic differentiation between the breeds was significant (p < 0.01) based on the infinitesimal model (F_ST). Three different approaches for evaluating the genetic relationships were applied. Genetic distances, the factorial correspondence analysis and structure analysis showed that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in the native horse populations and the other breeds. The Barb and Arab‐Barb breeds seem to be the most genetically related and support the decision to consider the breeds as same population.     

中国美利奴(新疆军垦型)羊遗传多样性的微卫星分析

利用6个微卫星标记,采用PCR扩增,对200只中国美利奴(新疆军垦型)羊基因组DNA的遗传多样性进行了检测。统计了各位点的多态信息含量(PIC)、遗传杂合度(H)、有效等位基因数(E)和基因纯合率(Rh)等遗传指标。结果表明:除BMS772(PIC=0.2571)为中度多态外,其余微卫星位点均为高度多态;群体的平均PIC、H、E、Rh分别为0.5446、0.5684、2.5695和0.6165,此品种绵羊基因多态性和遗传多样性相对贫乏,而基因纯合率相对较高;只有BM6506位点处于哈代-温伯格平衡(P>0.05)。     

Genetic characterisation of the Uruguayan Creole horse and analysis of relationships among horse breeds

The genetic variability within the Uruguayan Creole horse and its relationship to a group of geographically or historically related breeds (Spanish Pure-bred, Barb, Quarter horse, Paso Fino, Peruvian Paso, Arabian and Thoroughbred horse), was evaluated using 25 loci (seven of blood groups, nine of protein polymorphisms and nine microsatellites) analyzed on a total of 145 Uruguayan Creole horses. In this study, blood group and protein polymorphism variants that are considered to be breed markers of Spanish Pure-bred and Barb horses were detected in the Creole breed. Conversely, some microsatellites and protein polymorphisms alleles were found uniquely in the Creole horse. American horse breeds together with Barb and Arabian horses clearly formed a separate cluster from the Spanish pure-bred and Thoroughbred breeds, as shown by an UPGMA dendrogram based on Nei's standard genetic distance. Data in this study provided evidence for considerable genetic variation within Uruguayan Creole horses and of a distinctive breed profile. Both traits were most likely inherited from the XVIth century Spanish horses, more closely related to Barb than to Spanish Pure-bred.     

Pedigree analysis of genetic subdivision in a population of Japanese Black cattle

Twenty‐five subpopulations (i.e. populations of prefectures) of more than 2000 Japanese Black cows younger than or equal to 10 years of age were analyzed to evaluate the genetic relationships in the current population. The total number of cows analyzed was 392 346 and their pedigrees were traced back to 1944 or before. Using the pedigree records, the genetic relationships among the subpopulations were estimated by the two different measurements: (i) the average additive relationship coefficients and (ii) Nei's standard genetic distances. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to the matrix of the average additive relationship coefficients, and the factor loadings of subpopulations were plotted on the plane to visualize the genetic configuration of subpopulations. To understand the grouping process of the subpopulations, cluster analysis was applied to the matrix of the Nei's genetic distances, and a dendrogram was constructed. There was a high consistency between the results from PCA and cluster analysis. Eight subpopulations with relatively low migration rates showed their unique genetic compositions, and the other 17 subpopulations with high migration rates formed a single cluster. The major cause of the genetic similarity among the 17 subpopulations was inferred to be the strong genetic influence from one subpopulation (Hyogo prefecture) with prominent characteristics for meat quality.     

6个绵羊群体BMP15、GDF9基因多态性分析

本研究旨在检测新吉细毛羊、中国美利奴羊（无角型）、东北细毛羊、杜×寒杂交羊（F1）、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）、白头杜泊羊6个绵羊群体骨形态发生蛋白15（bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15）、生长分化因子9（growth differentiation factor 9,GDF9）基因的多态性,为绵羊繁殖力的标记辅助选择和育种提供理论依据。以6个绵羊群体共378只个体为研究对象,利用PCR-SSCP技术检测BMP15、GDF9基因多态性;用DNAStar软件与I-TASSER软件预测蛋白质二级结构和三级结构;计算基因频率、基因型频率、Hardy-Weinberg平衡、杂合度（He）、纯合度（Ho）、有效等位基因数（Ne）和多态信息含量（PIC）。运用GraphPad Prism 6软件对新吉细毛羊群体BMP15基因多态性与产羔数进行相关性分析。结果显示,BMP15基因P1引物扩增片段存在多态性,6个群体共呈现3种基因型：AA、AC、CC,该突变为BMP15基因外显子1上58-60 bp 3个碱基（CTT）缺失,新吉细毛羊、杜×寒杂交羊（F3）、白头杜泊羊的χ²值均达到显著水平,处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态,不同基因型间新吉细毛羊平均产羔数差异均不显著（P>0.05）;GDF9基因P2引物扩增片段存在多态性,6个群体共呈现3种基因型：DD、DE、EE,其中新吉细毛羊仅有1种基因型：DD,该突变为GDF9基因外显子2上477 bp处T→C的转换,该突变未导致氨基酸的改变,除新吉细毛羊外其余5个群体χ²值均未达到显著水平,处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态,说明GDF9基因T477C突变不能作为新吉细毛羊多胎性状遗传标记位点。     

Carcass traits and microsatellite distributions in offspring of sires from three geographical regions of Japan.

We proposed that cattle sired by bulls from distinct geographical regions of Japan would differ in their ability to accumulate marbling and that they could be distinguished by differences in microsatellite genotypes. Semen was obtained from six, three, and one sire from the Hyogo, Shimane, and Tottori regions, respectively. Cows and heifers (n = 92) were bred by artificial insemination and raised at the Kyoto University Livestock Research Farm over several generations. The calves (n = 145) were 252 +/- 0.2 d of age (mean +/-SEM) and weighed 164 to 307 kg at the beginning of the finishing phase. Cattle produced from sires from the three regions differed significantly in days on feed (all significant differences P < 0.05). Carcass data were collected from 48, 36, and 19 offspring from the Hyogo, Shimane, and Tottori sires, respectively. There was no difference in slaughter weight (550 +/- 15 kg). Carcasses from Shimane progeny had more muscle than Hyogo cattle. Hyogo and Shimane cattle contained more kidney and 12th-rib fat than Tottori cattle, whereas Hyogo offspring had more 6th-rib fat than Shimane or Tottori offspring. There were no differences across regions in the monounsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio. The rate of gain of 6th-rib fat for Hyogo progeny (0.033%/d) was significantly greater than that for Shimane or Tattori progeny (both 0.023%/d). Hyogo 12th-rib fat gain was 0.026%/d, which was significantly greater than that for Tottori progeny (0.010%/d). Shimane 12th-rib fat gain was intermediate (0.016%/d) between the other groups. Blood and muscle samples were used for the collection of DNA from 58, 30, and 18 offspring from the Hyogo, Shimane, and Tottori sires, respectively. Samples of the DNA were analyzed for 11 microsatellites. The BM1824 microsatellites for the Tottori progeny were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium because of successive use of Hyogo sires on previous generations. The TGLA227 microsatellites for the Shimane cattle were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium because of selective removal of progeny for slaughter. There were significant differences in allelic frequencies for the BM1824, ETH10, INRA23, and SPS115 and TGLA53 alleles across regions. These data are consistent with the geographical isolation of the different lines of Japanese Black cattle during their development and indicate the superiority of certain groups of sires in the accumulation of intramuscular lipid.     

Genetic Characterization of Mangalarga Marchador Breed Horses Based on Microsatellite Molecular Markers

The Mangalarga Marchador (MM) horse breed has expressive importance in the Brazilian economy. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate diversity in the MM breed. A database with a total of 3,193 genotyped horses was used (MM, n = 2,829; Andalusian – AND, n = 67; Pure Blood Lusitano – LUS, n = 43; English Thoroughbred – THO, n = 54; Arabian – ARA, n = 99; Campolina – CAM, n = 61; and Mangalarga – MAN, n = 40) for 13 microsatellite. Diversity parameters were estimates, such as mean number of alleles (Nm_a) and the number of rare alleles (AR), expected heterozygosity (He), F statistics, genetic distances, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test (HWE), population structure, and others. The Nm_a was 10.85, the AR was prevalent in the MM, and the He was 0.7402. In MM, the values of Fis (−0.0195), Fit (0.0566), Fst (0.0748), and deviations of HWE were observed. The genetic distances of the ARA and THO breeds with the other breeds were greater than the distances between the Brazilian breeds and between these and the breeds in the Iberian Peninsula. The population structure indicated that MM was substructured, yet there were some more genetically defined breeding farms. The genetic diversity is satisfactory for MM conservation, but the population is substructure, and parameters indicate moderate gene flow and the existence, though few, of crosses with other horse breeds. Immediate implementation of a genetic breeding program is required, especially seeking to conserve the structure of the MM breed as a well-defined genetic entity.     

Microsatellite marker analysis of the genetic variability in Hanoverian Hounds

Genetic variability of the dog breed Hanoverian Hound was analysed using a set of 16 microsatellites. The sample of 92 dogs was representative for the total current population [n = 334, inbreeding coefficient 9.2%, relationship coefficient 11.2%] with respect to the level and distribution of the inbreeding and relationship coefficients. All microsatellites used were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The average number of alleles was 6.4. The average observed heterozygosity (H_O) was slightly higher than the expected heterozygosity (H_E). Dinucleotide microsatellites exhibited lower polymorphism information content (PIC) than tetranucleotide microsatellites (0.52 versus 0.66). The average PIC was 0.61. The individual inbreeding coefficient was negatively related to the average H_O of all microsatellites, whereas the proportion of genes from introducing of Hanoverian Hounds from abroad showed no relationships to H_O. We found that the genetic variability in the Hanoverian Hounds analysed here was unexpectedly higher than that previously published for dog breeds of similar population size. Even in dog breeds of larger population size heterogyzosity was seldom higher than that observed here. The rather high genetic variability as quantified by polymorphic microsatellites in Hanoverian Hounds may be due to a large genetic variation in the founder animals of this breed and to the fact that this genetic diversity could be maintained despite genetic bottlenecks experienced by this breed in the 1920s and 1950s and despite the presence of high inbreeding and relationship coefficients for more than 50 years.     

Genetic diversity and differentiation of five Cuban cattle breeds using 30 microsatellite loci

Conservation and improvement strategies in farm animals should be based on a combination of genetic and phenotypic characteristics. Genotype data from 30 microsatellites were used to assess the genetic diversity and relationships among five Cuban cattle breeds (Siboney de Cuba, Criollo Cubano, Cebú Cubano, Mambí de Cuba and Taíno de Cuba). All microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all the breeds. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.67 ± 0.02 in the Taíno de Cuba breed to 0.75 ± 0.02 in the Mambí de Cuba breed, and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.66 ± 0.03 in the Cebú Cubano breed to 0.73 ± 0.02 in the Siboney de Cuba breed. The genetic differentiation between the breeds was significant (p < 0.01) based on the infinitesimal model (F_ST). The exact test for Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium within breeds showed a significant deviation in each breed (p < 0.0003) for one or more loci. The genetic distance and structure analysis showed that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in the local cattle population and that all breeds studied could be considered genetically distinct. The Siboney de Cuba and Mambí de Cuba breeds seem to be the most genetically related among the studied five breeds.     

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Two Population of Captive Tianshan Red Deer Using Microsatellite Markers

For scientific evaluation, protection and utilization of the valuable resources of 53 captive Tianshan Red deers (CJ, n=31;HM, n =22), the genetic polymorphisms of 8 microsatellites, analyzed the genetic diversity, genetic diversity and kept in captivity Tianshan Red deer was discussed.Microsatellite data indicated that 8 loci alleles were 3 to 7, 37 alleles were detected.The results showed that genetic diversity of Shenghua domesticated Red deer breeding base were A=4.625, He=0.6398, Ho=0.5887, PIC=0.5851, Ne=2.8357, Fis=0.0338, Hami Red deer farm field were A=4.375, He=0.6888, Ho=0.6818, PIC=0.6238, Ne=3.2078, Fis=-0.0175.The two population was not significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE).It suggested that the genetic diversity of the captive Tianshan Red deer from two areas was still higher, however the date of F-statistics indicated that the captive Tianshan Red deer in Changji exchanged individuals resulting to inbreeding. Therefore, at the present, the focus of management of captive Red deer population should shift to avoiding the inbreeding and the loss of genetic diversity.     

利用微卫星标记分析天山马鹿两个圈养种群遗传多样性

为科学评价、保护和利用天山马鹿资源,以昌吉市新疆盛华马鹿驯养繁育基地(CJ)与哈密军马场(HM)两地鹿场圈养的53头天山马鹿为研究对象(CJ,n=31;HM,n =22),8个微卫星位点为分子标记,对其遗传多样性进行分析,并探讨了保持圈养天山马鹿遗传多样性的方法。微卫星数据表明,8个基因座的等位基因数为3~7个,共检测到37个等位基因;盛华马鹿驯养繁育基地圈养种群的遗传多样性水平为:A=4.625,He=0.6398,Ho=0.5887,PIC=0.5851,Ne=2.8357,Fis=0.0338;哈密军马场马鹿种群为A=4.375,He=0.6888,Ho=0.6818,PIC=0.6238,Ne=3.2078,Fis=-0.0175。两地区马鹿种群没有显著偏离 Hardy-Weinberg平衡。由此可见,圈养天山马鹿种群的遗传多样丰富,但F统计量结果表明,盛华马鹿驯养繁育基地圈养种群个体之间存在一定程度的近交,因此,现阶段圈养马鹿种群的管理重点是避免近交和遗传多样性丧失上。     

Genetic characterization of the autochthonous sheep populations from Chiapas, Mexico

The Tzotziles, a Mayan native group located in Chiapas, Southern Mexico, have sheep breeding as one of their principal means of subsistence. Sheep were introduced in the Americas by the Spaniards in the first half of the XVI Century. Three populations of sheep from Chiapas—Café, Chamula and Chiapas—were typed with 27 microsatellites. Genetic distances were calculated for three Iberian breeds, Spanish Merino, Churra, two Canary Islands breeds, Canaria and Palmera, and the French Mutton Merino (Precoce). In the case of Chiapas sheep most of the markers showed Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and the fixation index of Fst (0.095) showed a moderate level of genetic differentiation. The three distinct sheep subpopulations (Café, Chamula and Chiapas) are genetically differentiated inside the Chiapas sheep population. These breeds could be historically related to Spanish sheep populations, but have diverged significantly as a result of genetic drift and selection.     

Genetic Parameters for Racing Performance of Thoroughbred Horses Using Bayesian Linear and Thurstonian Models

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for rank in Thoroughbred horses using a Bayesian linear model (BLM) and a Thurstonian model (TM) to provide data that contribute to the selection and consequent genetic improvement of the breed in Brazil. Data were provided by the company Turf Total Ltda and consisted of 250,809 records for rank obtained from 40,300 horses and from 34,316 Thoroughbred races (distances of 1,000, 1,300, 1,600, and 2,000 m) that occurred between 1992 and 2011 on six tracks. The rank records at each distance were considered different traits and were submitted to single-trait analysis using BLM and TM. Fixed effects included sex, age, postposition, race, and level of difficulty. The heritability estimates for rank ranged from 0.228 to 0.032 when BLM was used and from 0.293 to 0.047 when TM was used. These estimates tended to decrease with increasing race distance in the two analyses. The TM estimated higher heritability for rank than BLM, indicating the possible use of this model in selection programs of Thoroughbred racehorses in Brazil.     

Characterization of Swiss new world camelid breeds using microsatellite markers

Molecular markers allow a characterization of animal populations on DNA level. They help to estimate the genetic variability, they are useful in paternity control, to diagnose hereditary diseases, in epidemiology and last but not least support traditional tools to take breeding decisions. Seventy-six new-world camelids in Switzerland were genetically typed for six microsatellite markers and their parentage controlled. Calculation of allele frequencies, heterozygosity, polymorphism information content, deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and exclusion probability of markers showed a high genetic variability within the chosen populations. This will allow selection for certain traits. The estimated genetic distance between different camelid species and breeds was in accordance with their expected phylogenetic origins.