A new 15 autosomal STRs multiplex for domestic horse genotyping

Abstract

Horse genotyping has a wide range of applications such as identification, pedigree verification, parentage test, forensic investigation, population genetics, analysis of diversity, legitimate registration, among others. Following the recommendations of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) regarding the use of non-human (animal) DNA in forensic genetic investigations we have developed a multiplex PCR system of 15 autosomal tetra-nucleotide STRs loci to Equus caballus. The system includes the newly described ECAC2, ECAC4, ECAC5, ECAC9, ECAC10, ECAC12, ECAC14, ECAC15, ECAC18, ECAC21, ECAC23, ECAC26, ECAC28, ECAC29 and ECAC30 loci (on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21, 23, 26, 28, 29 and 30, respectively). The polymorphism is in average 8 alleles per marker with a maximum of eleven and a minimum of five for the population studied. All markers were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, except ECAC5 (p=0.0007). The probabilities of paternity (W), exclusion (PE) and cumulative discrimination (PD) for all loci were greater than 0.9999. This work will contribute to the implementation of standardized horse genotyping systems in the forensic community and the horse industry.