Genetic diversity of the Brazilian Creole cattle Pé-duro assessed by microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA

Ana Paula Ferreira De Oliveira,Eucleia Primo Betioli Contel,Maria Aparecida Cassiano Lara,José Herculano De Carvalho,Marcos Mateo Miretti

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012001100003

Ana Paula Ferreira De Oliveira, Eucleia Primo Betioli Contel + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982012001100003

Copy DOI

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the genetic diversity and structure of the largest Pe-duro population by assessing variation at ten autosomal microsatellite (STR) loci and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. The mean expected heterozygosity was 0.755, the mean observed heterozygosity was 0.600 and significant inbreeding coefficient (Fis) and deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in most of analyzed loci demonstrate the impact of inbreeding and homozygosis on this population. A more in-depth genetic analysis could be achieved by expanding the STR list. The analysis of mtDNA provided evidence of ancestral African taurine haplotypes in Pe-duro and excluded maternal Zebuine introgression. In this report, the main Pe-duro population is genetically portrayed by sampling approximately 40% of it. As this herd represents the core of the Pe-duro conservation program, these findings are of outstanding value for the management and preservation of this Brazilian 'native' cattle breed.

Highlights

Bos taurus cattle was introduced in the Americas during the first 100 years of colonization by the Portuguese and Spanish settlements
Current phenotypic and genetic data available from this population are rather scarce; a coordinated effort to delineate the genetic profile is critical to the success of the conservation program
Further investigating the origin of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes in a small survey revealed the presence of an ancestral African mtDNA haplotype

Summary

Introduction

Bos taurus cattle was introduced in the Americas during the first 100 years of colonization by the Portuguese and Spanish settlements. In dry regions of the Brazilian northern states, the Pé-duro Creole or Curraleira breed emerged, adapting to adverse conditions present in this semi-arid region, endowing these animals with extremely rustic features such as lighter weight, resistance to drought, heat, low quality ranges, poor nutrition and lack of health care. This breed is raised in small herds and its total population size is very small mainly because the Pé-duro males were systematically castrated and replaced by zebu (Bos indicus) bulls in the early 20th century.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion