Abstract
Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and structure in three Iranian native goat breeds (Markhoz, Mahabadi and Lori) and the Beetal imported breed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and also to investigate ISSR markers' potential in order to genetically separate single (S) and twin-birth (T) subpopulations. Blood samples were collected from 210 animals for this purpose. In total, 16 primers were used, and finally 5 primers were selected based on the number of clear bands and the level of polymorphisms. The result of this study showed that 76 of 86 observed fragments were polymorphic. Genetic diversity for each breed ranged from 0.23 in the Beetal breed to 0.26 in the Markhoz breed; this represents a relatively similar genetic diversity in these breeds. An unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram based on the Nei's standard genetic distance between the breeds studied showed that three Iranian goat breeds (Mahabadi, Lori and Markhoz) were clustered closer together, while the Beetal breed formed a separate cluster. In the constructed dendrogram of the subpopulations, the S and T subpopulations of each breed were clustered together. The constructed dendrogram of the Beetal breed and the S and T subpopulations of all breeds studied showed a separate cluster for the Beetal breed as an imported breed and another cluster for the S and T subpopulations as Iranian native breeds. The current study showed that the ISSR markers studied had no potential to genetically separate S and T subpopulations. On the other hand, these ISSR markers can be used for the clustering of distinct populations.
Highlights
Goats are probably one of the earliest ruminants domesticated around 10 000 years ago (Zeder and Hesse, 2000)
The Genetic variation is a basic requirement for animal breeding, whereas high genetic variation is needed for the genetic improvement of domestic animals (Askari et al, 2011)
We used inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to assess genetic variation based on the mean allelic frequency of the 86 ISSR fragments obtained in the breeds studied
Summary
Goats are probably one of the earliest ruminants domesticated around 10 000 years ago (Zeder and Hesse, 2000). Goats are raised all over the world due to their tolerance to various environments, adaptability to nutrient-poor diets and manageable size. Genetic diversity is an essential component for population survival, evolution, genetic improvement and adaptation to changing environmental conditions (Kumar et al, 2009). The conservation of genetic variability has arisen in the last years because the existence of a large gene pool is important for the potential future breeding preservation and for sustainable animal production system development. Comprehensive knowledge of the existing genetic variability is the first step for the conservation and exploitation of domestic animal biodiversity
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