Genetic characterization of Latin-American Creole cattle using microsatellite markers.

Genetic diversity in and relationships among 26 Creole cattle breeds from 10 American countries were assessed using 19 microsatellites. Heterozygosities, F-statistics estimates, genetic distances, multivariate analyses and assignment tests were performed. The levels of within-breed diversity detected in Creole cattle were considerable and higher than those previously reported for European breeds, but similar to those found in other Latin American breeds. Differences among breeds accounted for 8.4% of the total genetic variability. Most breeds clustered separately when the number of pre-defined populations was 21 (the most probable K value), with the exception of some closely related breeds that shared the same cluster and others that were admixed. Despite the high genetic diversity detected, significant inbreeding was also observed within some breeds, and heterozygote excess was detected in others. These results indicate that Creoles represent important reservoirs of cattle genetic diversity and that appropriate conservation measures should be implemented for these native breeds in order to minimize inbreeding and uncontrolled crossbreeding.

Delgado JV ，Martínez AM ，Acosta A ，Alvarez LA ，Armstrong E ，Camacho E ，Cañón J ，Cortés O ，Dunner S ，Landi V ，Marques JR ，Martín-Burriel I ，Martínez OR ，Martínez RD ，Melucci L ，Muñoz JE ，Penedo MC ，Postiglioni A ，Quiróz J ，Rodellar C ，Sponenberg P ，Uffo O ，Ulloa-Arvizu R ，Vega-Pla JL ，Villalobos A ，Zambrano D ，Zaragoza P ，Gama LT ，Ginja C ... -  《-》

Characterization of bovine MHC DRB3 diversity in Latin American Creole cattle breeds.

In cattle, bovine leukocyte antigens (BoLAs) have been extensively used as markers for diseases and immunological traits. However, none of the highly adapted Latin American Creole breeds have been characterized for BoLA gene polymorphism by high resolution typing methods. In this work, we sequenced exon 2 of the BoLA class II DRB3 gene from 179 cattle (113 Bolivian Yacumeño cattle and 66 Colombian Hartón del Valle cattle breeds) using a polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method. We identified 36 previously reported alleles and three novel alleles. Thirty-five (32 reported and three new) and 24 alleles (22 reported and two new) were detected in Yacumeño and Hartón del Valle breeds, respectively. Interestingly, Latin American Creole cattle showed a high degree of gene diversity despite their small population sizes, and 10 alleles including three new alleles were found only in these two Creole breeds. We next compared the degree of genetic variability at the population and sequence levels and the genetic distance in the two breeds with those previously reported in five other breeds: Holstein, Japanese Shorthorn, Japanese Black, Jersey, and Hanwoo. Both Creole breeds presented gene diversity higher than 0.90, a nucleotide diversity higher than 0.07, and mean number of pairwise differences higher than 19, indicating that Creole cattle had similar genetic diversity at BoLA-DRB3 to the other breeds. A neutrality test showed that the high degree of genetic variability may be maintained by balancing selection. The FST index and the exact G test showed significant differences across all cattle populations (FST=0.0478; p<0.001). Results from the principal components analysis and the phylogenetic tree showed that Yacumeño and Hartón del Valle breeds were closely related to each other. Collectively, our results suggest that the high level of genetic diversity could be explained by the multiple origins of the Creole germplasm (European, African and Indicus), and this diversity might be maintained by balancing selection.

Giovambattista G ，Takeshima SN ，Ripoli MV ，Matsumoto Y ，Franco LA ，Saito H ，Onuma M ，Aida Y ... -  《-》

Genetic characterization of Argentine and Bolivian Creole cattle breeds assessed through microsatellites.

In the present report, the polymorphisms from 9 microsatellites were used to assess genetic diversity and relationships in 4 Creole cattle breeds from Argentina and Bolivia, 4 European taurine breeds, and 2 American zebu populations. The Creole populations display a relatively high level of genetic variation as estimated by allelic diversity and heterozygosity, whereas the British breeds displayed reduced levels of genetic diversity. The analysis of molecular variance indicated that 7.8% of variance can be explained by differences among taurine and zebu breeds. Consistent with these results, the first principal component (PC), which comprised the 40% of the total variance, clearly distinguishes these 2 groups. In addition, all constructed phylogenetic trees cluster together Nelore and Brahman breeds with robust bootstrap values. Only 1% of variance was due to difference between American Creole and European taurine cattle. Although this secondary split was supported by the classical genetic distance and the second PC (15%), the topology of trees is not particularly robust. The presence of zebu-specific alleles in Creole cattle allowed estimating a moderate degree of zebu admixture. When these data were compared with mitochondrial and Y chromosomal studies, a clear pattern of male-mediated introgression was revealed. The results presented here contribute to the understanding of origin and history of the American Creole cattle.

Lirón JP ，Peral-García P ，Giovambattista G 《JOURNAL OF HEREDITY》

Analysis of STR markers reveals high genetic structure in Portuguese native cattle.

Genetic structure and diversity of 13 Portuguese native and 3 imported cattle breeds were assessed with 39 microsatellites. Allelic richness per locus was high, with an overall average of 8.3 +/- 2.5. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.673 +/- 0.043 and 0.691 +/- 0.034, respectively. The mean number of alleles per breed ranged between 5.36 +/- 1.27 and 7.87 +/- 2.66. Brava de Lide and Mirandesa breeds had the lowest genetic diversity, whereas Minhota, Arouquesa, and Mertolenga had the highest. Significant (P < 0.05) heterozygote deficit was detected in all breeds except Garvonesa, Marinhoa, Minhota, and Limousin. Hardy-Weinberg deviations are most probably due to inbreeding, particularly in Alentejana, Brava de Lide, Mertolenga, and Ramo Grande (F(is) > 0, P < 0.0001). Based on the principal component and the Neighbor-Net analyses, Mirandesa was the most genetically distinct breed. Even though admixture was detected across all breeds (6.7%, q < 0.800), the molecular structure was consistent with original breed designations, with the exception of Cachena that had a clear influence of Barrosã (K = 15). Mertolenga showed substructure with independent clustering of red speckled animals. The percentage animals correctly assigned was >or=90 in all breeds except Cachena, Garvonesa, and Preta (q >or= 0.800). The results obtained here confirmed that high levels of genetic diversity exist within Portuguese native cattle and that the breeds are highly structured. Conservation measures should be implemented for all native breeds to minimize inbreeding.

Ginja C ，Telo Da Gama L ，Penedo MC 《-》

Genetic diversity, structure, and breed relationships in Iberian cattle.

In Iberia there are 51 officially recognized cattle breeds of which 15 are found in Portugal and 38 in Spain. We present here a comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity and structure of Iberian cattle. Forty of these breeds were genotyped with 19 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. Asturiana de los Valles displayed the greatest allelic diversity and Mallorquina the least. Unbiased heterozygosity values ranged from 0.596 to 0.787. The network based on Reynolds distances was star-shaped with few pairs of interrelated breeds and a clear cluster of 4 breeds (Alistana/Arouquesa/Marinhoa/Mirandesa). The analysis of the genetic structure of Iberian cattle indicated that the most probable number of population clusters included in the study would be 36. Distance results were supported by the STRUCTURE software indicating a relatively recent origin or possible crossbreeding or both between pairs or small groups of breeds. Five clusters included 2 different breeds (Betizu/Pirenaica, Morucha/Avileña, Parda de Montaña/Bruna de los Pirineos, Barrosã/Cachena, and Toro de Lidia/Brava de Lide), 3 breeds (Berrenda en Negro, Negra Andaluza, and Mertolenga) were divided in 2 independent clusters each, and 2 breeds were considered admixed (Asturiana de los Valles and Berrenda en Colorado). Individual assignation to breeds was not possible in the 2 admixed breeds and the pair Parda de Montaña/Bruna de los Pirineos. The relationship between Iberian cattle reflects their geographical origin rather than their morphotypes. Exceptions to this geographic clustering are most probably a consequence of crossbreeding with foreign breeds. The relative genetic isolation within their geographical origin, the consequent genetic drift, the adaptation to specific environment and production systems, and the influence of African and European cattle have contributed to the current genetic status of Iberian cattle, which are grouped according to their geographical origin. The greater degree of admixture observed in some breeds should be taken into account before using molecular markers for genetic assignment of individuals to breeds.

Martín-Burriel I ，Rodellar C ，Cañón J ，Cortés O ，Dunner S ，Landi V ，Martínez-Martínez A ，Gama LT ，Ginja C ，Penedo MC ，Sanz A ，Zaragoza P ，Delgado JV ... -  《-》