我国蒙古羊系统不同生态型绵羊品种遗传多样性及距离隔离机制的研究

以我国主要地方绵羊品种湖羊、同羊、小尾寒羊、滩羊和洼地绵羊为研究对象,检测位于不同染色体的微卫星位点的基因频率分布,进行比较分析.结果表明 1) 就本研究涉及的微卫星标记而言,湖羊处于Hardy-Weinberg极不平衡状态 (P ＜ 0.01),而其余群体包括同羊、小尾寒羊、滩羊和洼地绵羊却处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡 (P ＜ 0.05).2) 就本研究涉及的微卫星标记而言,平均杂合度、多型信息含量和有效等位基因数三个遗传变异指标的方差分析表明不同群体间杂合度、多型信息含量均不存在显著差异 (P ＞ 0.05),有效等位基因数遗传变异指标在、滩羊、湖羊、同羊和洼地羊相互之间以及洼地羊与小尾寒羊之间亦差异不显著(P ＞ 0.05),但是有效等位基因数在前3个群体与后2个群体之间存在显著差异 (0.01 ＜ P ＜ 0.05).5个绵羊群体的变异水平以小尾寒羊最高,其次为洼地绵羊、同羊和滩羊,最低的是湖羊.3) 本研究涉及的我国蒙古羊系统内5个绵羊群体间的系统发生关系不满足距离隔离模式,绵羊群体间的遗传分化关系的远近与其地理分布并未表现出紧密的线性相关.这与5个绵羊起源于不同时期的蒙古羊始祖群体,同时在品种间存在一定程度的基因交流,并在各自特有的生态环境中经历不同程度的自然选择和人为选择品种培育史实相符.     

11个绵羊品种MSTN基因非翻译区的变异

利用PCR-RFLP技术对特克塞尔羊、夏洛莱羊、小尾寒羊、蒙古羊、乌珠穆沁羊、阿勒泰羊、呼伦贝尔羊、塔什库尔干羊、多浪羊、湖羊和岗巴羊11个品种的345个个体的肌肉生长抑制素(Myostatin, MSTN)基因非翻译区(UTR)的变异进行了多态性分析。结果表明大小为271 bp和1 003 bp的扩增片段经限制性内切酶MboⅡ和BsaⅠ酶切后表现多态, 经卡方检验所有品种在该基因座位均处于平衡状态(P>0.05), 3种基因型在11个绵羊品种中的分布差异极显著(P<0.01)。通过限制性内切酶HpyCH4Ⅳ 酶切实验, 证明我国9个地方绵羊品种不存在特克塞尔绵羊中发现的导致肌肉发达的SNP位点, 并在3′UTR区发现了个别碱基突变位点能够形成miRNA作用的靶基序, 测序表明3′UTR区的突变频率较高。     

用4个微卫星标记分析7个绵羊群体之间的遗传关系

分析了4个微卫星基因座BM143、OarHH35、OarAE101、BMS2508在7个绵羊群体(小尾寒羊、湖羊、乌珠穆沁羊、萨福克羊、多赛特羊、夏洛来羊、多赛特公羊×小尾寒羊母羊F1代杂种羊)286只绵羊中的遗传多态性。结果表明,这4个微卫星标记在7个绵羊群体中的等位基因数分别为9、11、14和9,其多态信息含量/有效等位基因数/杂合度分别为0 7073/3 7231/0 7314、0 8267/6 4399/0 8447、0 5743/2 5178/0 6028、0 6172/3 0712/0 6744,其中OarHH35的遗传变异最大,OarAE101最小。7个绵羊群体中小尾寒羊的遗传变异最大,湖羊的最小。基于Nei氏DA距离和DS标准遗传距离,采用UPGMA方法构建了系统发生树。该发生树将中国地方品种(小尾寒羊、乌珠穆沁羊、湖羊)和法国的夏洛来羊归为一类,将F1杂种羊、英国品种(萨福克羊和多赛特羊)归为另一类。绵羊微卫星基因分型技术为检查品种(群体)之间的遗传关系提供了一个有用的工具。     

Energy substrate metabolism in skeletal muscle and liver when consuming diets of different energy levels: comparison between Tibetan and Small-tailed Han sheep

The energy intake of Tibetan sheep on the harsh Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) varies greatly with seasonal forage fluctuations and is often below maintenance requirements, especially during the long, cold winter. The liver plays a crucial role in gluconeogenesis and skeletal muscle is the primary tissue of energy expenditure in mammals. Both play important roles in energy substrate metabolism and regulating energy metabolism homeostasis of the body. This study aimed to gain insight into how skeletal muscle and liver of Tibetan sheep regulate energy substrate metabolism to cope with low energy intake under the harsh environment of the QTP. Tibetan sheep (n = 24; 48.5 ± 1.89 kg BW) were compared with Small-tailed Han sheep (n = 24; 49.2 ± 2.21 kg BW), which were allocated randomly into one of four groups that differed in dietary digestible energy densities: 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ /kg DM. The sheep were slaughtered after a 49-d feeding period, skeletal muscle and liver tissues were collected and measurements were made of the activities of the key enzymes of energy substrate metabolism and the expressions of genes related to energy homeostasis regulation. Compared with Small-tailed Han sheep, Tibetan sheep exhibited higher capacities of propionate to glucose conversion and fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis in the liver, higher glucose utilization efficiency in both skeletal muscle and liver, but lower activities of fatty acid oxidation and protein mobilization in skeletal muscle, especially when in negative energy balance. However, the Small-tailed Han sheep exhibited higher capacities to convert amino acids and lactate to glucose and higher levels of glycolysis and lipogenesis in the liver than Tibetan sheep. These differences in gluconeogenesis and energy substrate metabolism conferred the Tibetan sheep an advantage over Small-tailed Han sheep to cope with low energy intake and regulate whole-body energy homeostasis under the harsh environment of the QTP.     

Phylogeny of Local Sheep Breeds in East Asia, Focusing on the Bayanbulak Sheep in China and the Sipsu Sheep in Bhutan

The phylogenetic positions of the Bayanbulak sheep in China and the Sipsu sheep in Bhutan in the northern Asian sheep group were determined on the basis of allele frequency data for five informative and polymorphic loci of blood protein and nonproteins, such as transferrin (TF), arylesterase (ES), hemoglobin-β (HB-β), X-protein (XP), and potassium transport (KE), using different electrophoretic and ion-densitometric techniques. Based on Nei’s genetic distance, clustering analysis by the UPGMA method showed that the Bayanbulak sheep is clustered in the northern Asian sheep group. Furthermore, the Bayanbulak sheep belongs to a subgroup containing the Khalkhas and Hu sheep of the Mongolian sheep group, which is distinguished from another subgroup of the small-tailed Han, Tan, Tong, and Wadi sheep. The Bayanbulak sheep was closest to the Hu sheep, despite a morphological difference in the fat deposits. In addition to these findings, the Sipsu sheep was verified to belong to the Baruwal sheep.     

Genetic diversity of three Chinese native sheep breeds

The sheep (Ovis aries L.) has been an important farm animal species since its domestication. A wide array of indigenous sheep breeds with abundant phenotypic diversity exists for domestication and selection. Therefore, assessing the genetic diversity of a local sheep resource using a multi-molecular system is helpful for maintaining and conserving those breeds. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of three native Chinese sheep breeds (Tibetan sheep, Sishui Fur sheep, and Small-tailed Han sheep) using 15 microsatellite markers and the second exon of the DRA gene. In regards to the microsatellites, on average, 19 alleles per loci were observed among all individuals. Across loci, the HO within the population was 0.652 ± 0.022 in Tibetan sheep, 0.603 ± 0.023 in Small-tailed Han sheep and 0.635 ± 0.022 in SFS, and for most populations, the H _E and H _O were inconsistent. In addition, affluent private alleles within the breed indicated that the breeds have different domestication histories or sites. In regards to the 2 exon of the DRA gene, three haplotypes were constructed by seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which were identified in the second DRA exon and inferred the potential for phenotypic variety in these Chinese native sheep. In summary, the current study reveals the importance of implementing effective conservation strategies for these three native Chinese sheep.     

绵羊H-FABP基因单核苷酸多态性的研究

以小尾寒羊(48只)、宁夏滩羊(121只)、滩寒杂交羊F1(23只)、无角陶塞特(48只)、萨福克(24只)5个绵羊群体为实验材料, 利用PCR-SSCP和DNA测序技术对心脏型脂肪酸结合蛋白(H-FABP)基因(GenBank登录号: AY157617)外显子2和内含子2部分序列进行单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)检测及遗传多态性分析。结果表明: (1)引物2的PCR扩增产物中存在981(G/A)、1014(A/C)、1019(T/C) 和1058 (-/G ) 4个SNP位点, 表现为AA、BB、CC、AB、AC、BC、AD、CD和BD 9种基因型, 其中AA为优势基因型。经χ2检验后, 除滩羊和萨福克羊外, 其他群体的基因频率和基因型频率均处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态。群体遗传多态性分析表明: 宁夏滩羊、小尾寒羊和无角陶塞特羊3个群体中的多态信息含量(PIC)均处于0.25和0.50之间, 为中度多态, 萨福克羊和滩寒杂交羊F1为低度多态(PIC<0.25), 表明脂肪酸结合蛋白基因在不同绵羊品种中具有单核苷酸多态性, 可以进一步作为候选基因来分析其与肌内脂肪含量性状的关联性。(2)引物4的PCR扩增产物中检测到1个SNP多态位点为2407(T/C), 表现为HH、Hh和 hh 3种基因型, 基因型频率大小为HH＞Hh＞hh, 经χ2检验后, 在滩羊和无角陶塞特羊中均为达到Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态, 其多态信息含量均为低度多态(PIC<0.25), 而在小尾寒羊、滩寒杂交羊F1和萨福克羊均没有多态出现。     

Polymorphisms of coding region of BMPR-IB gene and their relationship with litter size in sheep

The bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of sheep. Nine pairs of primers (P1-P9) were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of exons 1-4 and 6-10 of the BMPR-IB gene in both high (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Texel and Chinese Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Only the products amplified by primers P2, P5, P6, P7, P8 and P9 displayed polymorphisms. The present study identified 22 SNPs in partial coding regions of ovine BMPR-IB, in which 20 SNPs were reported for the first time. In total of the 22 mutations, 18 DNA variations were originated from the Hu breed, three were found in the Small Tail Han breed (two of them were found in other sheep breeds), three in the Chinese Merino breed, and none in the Texel breed. These results preliminarily demonstrated that BMPR-IB is a major gene affecting the hyperprolificacy in Small Tail Han and Hu sheep, and could be used as a molecular genetic marker for early auxiliary selection for hyperprolificacy in sheep.     

Investigation of the Booroola (FecB) and Inverdale (FecX(I)) mutations in 21 prolific breeds and strains of sheep sampled in 13 countries

Twenty-one of the world's prolific sheep breeds and strains were tested for the presence of the FecB mutation of BMPR1B and the FecX(I) mutation of BMP15. The breeds studied were Romanov (2 strains), Finn (2 strains), East Friesian, Teeswater, Blueface Leicester, Hu, Han, D'Man, Chios, Mountain Sheep (three breeds), German Whiteheaded Mutton, Lleyn, Loa, Galician, Barbados Blackbelly (pure and crossbred) and St. Croix. The FecB mutation was found in two breeds, Hu and Han from China, but not in any of the other breeds. The 12 Hu sheep sampled were all homozygous carriers of FecB (FecB(B)/FecB(B)) whereas the sample of 12 Han sheep included all three genotypes (FecB(B)/FecB(B), FecB(B)/FecB+, FecB+/FecB+) at frequencies of 0.33, 0.58 and 0.08, respectively. There was no evidence of FecX(I) in any of the breeds sampled.     

绵羊线粒体DNA控制区5′端序列PCR-SSCP与序列分析

通过绵羊线粒体DNA控制区左功能域（5′端序列）PCR-SSCP和序列分析,发现小尾寒羊、乌珠穆沁羊、湖羊、萨福克羊和夏洛来羊以及多赛特公羊与小尾寒羊杂交家系共202只绵羊可归纳为两种类型：突变型和野生型,提示现代绵羊品种在起源上存在两种主要的进化途径。     

Polymorphism of 5′ regulatory region of ovine FSHR gene and its association with litter size in Small Tail Han sheep

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of 5?? regulatory region of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene were detected in two high prolificacy sheep breeds (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and two low prolificacy sheep breeds (Corriedale and Chinese Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). The results indicated that there were three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) detected by primer 1 in Hu sheep while only one genotype (AA) in other three sheep breeds, and frequencies of AA, AB and BB genotypes in Hu sheep were 0.700, 0.225 and 0.075, respectively. There were three genotypes (EE, EF and EG) detected by primer 3 in Small Tail Han sheep while only EE genotype occurred in other three sheep breeds, and frequencies of EE, EF and EG genotypes in Small Tail Han sheep were 0.775, 0.200 and 0.025, respectively. No polymorphism was detected in four sheep breeds by primer 2 and primer 4. The sequencing results showed that there were two nucleotide mutations (g. ?681T>C and g. ?629C>T) in genotype BB compared with AA for primer 1. As for primer 3, two mutations (g. ?197G>A and g. ?98T>C) in genotype EF compared with EE and two mutations (g. ?200G>A and g. ?197G>A) in genotype EG compared with EE. The heterozygous ewes with EG or EF had 0.89 (P?<?0.05) or 0.42 (P?<?0.05) lambs more than homozygous ewes (EE genotype) in Small Tail Han sheep, respectively, while there was no significant difference on litter size between EG and EF ewes.     

我国6个地方绵羊品种微卫星DNA多态性研究

利用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术研究了我国蒙古羊、乌珠穆沁羊、哈萨克羊、阿勒泰羊、滩羊和藏绵羊 6个地方绵羊品种 17个微卫星标记的多态性 ,以探讨其遗传多样性、起源分化及群体间的遗传亲缘关系。结果表明微卫星标记不同位点间遗传多样性差异极显著 (P <0 0 1) ,群体间多态信息含量 (PIC)、近交程度 (Fis)和观察杂合度 (Obs .Het)差异不显著 ,但基因多样性 (genediversity)和期望杂合度 (Exp .Het)差异显著 (P <0 0 5 )。所研究的我国 6个地方绵羊品种与欧洲品种具有相似的遗传多样性 ,但具有较高的近交系数。个体和群体的聚类分析结果提示我国地方绵羊品种可能起源于两类祖先。群体间的聚类分析结果还表明 ,蒙古羊与乌珠穆沁羊分化不明显且具有较近的遗传亲缘关系 ,蒙古羊与藏绵羊间分化明显且具有较远的遗传亲缘关系。滩羊、阿勒泰羊以及藏绵羊间也具有较近的遗传亲缘关系。所研究的我国 6个地方绵羊品种的遗传分化 (Fst)与西班牙绵羊品种接近 ,但明显小于欧洲其他绵羊品种     

Food overlap between Mongolian gazelles and livestock in Omnogobi,southern Mongolia

Botanical and particle size compositions of the feces of sympatric Mongolian gazelles, sheep/goats, and horses collected in southern Mongolia in autumn 2002 were analyzed. The botanical composition of Mongolian gazelles was similar to that of sheep/goats where dicotyledonous plants (64.6% for Mongolian gazelles, 65.6% for sheep/goats), particularly woody fibers were important (39.5% for Mongolian gazelles, 19.5% for sheep/goats). In contrast, horse feces were exclusively composed of graminoids (93.2%). Consequently, food overlap was great between Mongolian gazelles and sheep/goats (Piankas index: 0.977) but was small between Mongolian gazelles and horses (0.437) and sheep/goats and horses (0.421). Particle size distributions were also similar between Mongolian gazelles and sheep/goats, whereas they were different between horses and Mongolian gazelles and horses and sheep/goats. These results support our expectation based on the Jarman-Bell principle. Although interspecific competition cannot be inferred from a mere food overlap, our analyses suggest that sheep and goats are potential competitors for Mongolian gazelles. Therefore, the increase in the numbers of domestic sheep/goats might pose a risk for Mongolian gazelle populations.     

Ethnic Differences in the Incidence of Hypertension among Rural Chinese Adults: Results from Liaoning Province

Background

This study was conducted to examine the differences in the incidence of hypertension and associated risk factors between Mongolian and Han populations in northeast China.

Methods

A population-based sample of 4753 Mongolian subjects and 20,247 Han subjects aged ≥35 years and free from hypertension at baseline were followed from 2004–2006 to 2010. Incident hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication.

Results

During mean 4.3 years follow-up, a total of 8779 individuals developed hypertension. The age-adjusted incidence of hypertension for Mongolian subjects was 12.64 per 100 person-years, for Han subjects was 9.77 per 100 person-years (P<0.05). The incidence of hypertension was positively correlated with age, physical activity, drinking, body mass index (BMI), family of hypertension and prehypertension in the Han population. In the Mongolian population, hypertension was positively correlated with age, physical activity, education level, drinking, BMI, prehypertension and family history of hypertension. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension for newly developed cases among both Han and Mongolian populations were low. (36.5% vs. 42.3%, 13.1% vs. 18.2%, 0.7% vs. 1.3%, P<0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

The incidence rate of hypertension is higher in the Mongolian populations than that in the Han populations, and hypertension in both ethnic populations was associated with similar risk factors. Our results suggest that most newly-diagnosed cases of hypertension are not adequately treated. Improvements in hypertension prevention and control programs in rural China are urgently needed.     

Tracing genetic differentiation of Chinese Mongolian sheep using microsatellites

The genetic consequences of population differentiation and isolation have been the subject of conservation biology. In this study, we analysed the genetic diversity and structure of Mongolian sheep in China. These animals belong to a traditional local breed with high production, extensive adaption, early maturity and roughage resistance. For this purpose, 26 microsatellites were genotyped for five Mongolian sheep populations. The Bayesian clustering indicated five clusters as the most probable genetic structure of the populations investigated. In addition, a clear genetic structure was revealed in three populations distributed at large geographical scales, while the other cluster encompassed UQ and HLBR sheep that displayed no clear differentiation, probably due to their close and small geographical distributions. Overall, our results are helpful in understanding the interplay of population dynamics in these close genetic lineages of Mongolian sheep.     

Genome-wide analysis reveals population structure and selection in Chinese indigenous sheep breeds

Background

Traditionally, Chinese indigenous sheep were classified geographically and morphologically into three groups: Mongolian, Kazakh and Tibetan. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the population structure and genome selection among 140 individuals from ten representative Chinese indigenous sheep breeds: Ujimqin, Hu, Tong, Large-Tailed Han and Lop breed (Mongolian group); Duolang and Kazakh (Kazakh group); and Diqing, Plateau-type Tibetan, and Valley-type Tibetan breed (Tibetan group).

Results

We analyzed the population using principal component analysis (PCA), STRUCTURE and a Neighbor-Joining (NJ)-tree. In PCA plot, the Tibetan and Mongolian groups were clustered as expected; however, Duolang and Kazakh (Kazakh group) were segregated. STRUCTURE analyses suggested two subpopulations: one from North China (Kazakh and Mongolian groups) and the other from the Southwest (Tibetan group). In the NJ-tree, the Tibetan group formed an independent branch and the Kazakh and Mongolian groups were mixed. We then used the d_i statistic approach to reveal selection in Chinese indigenous sheep breeds. Among the 599 genome sequence windows analyzed, sixteen (2.7%) exhibited signatures of selection in four or more breeds. We detected three strong selection windows involving three functional genes: RXFP2, PPP1CC and PDGFD. PDGFD, one of the four subfamilies of PDGF, which promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of preadipocytes, was significantly selected in fat type breeds by the Rsb (across pairs of populations) approach. Two consecutive selection regions in Duolang sheep were obviously different to other breeds. One region was in OAR2 including three genes (NPR2, SPAG8 and HINT2) the influence growth traits. The other region was in OAR 6 including four genes (PKD2, SPP1, MEPE, and IBSP) associated with a milk production quantitative trait locus. We also identified known candidate genes such as BMPR1B, MSRB3, and three genes (KIT, MC1R, and FRY) that influence lambing percentage, ear size and coat phenotypes, respectively.

Conclusions

Based on the results presented here, we propose that Chinese native sheep can be divided into two genetic groups: the thin type (Tibetan group), and the fat type (Mongolian and Kazakh group). We also identified important genes that drive valuable phenotypes in Chinese indigenous sheep, especially PDGFD, which may influence fat deposition in fat type sheep.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1384-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Small intestinal morphology and sugar transporters expression when consuming diets of different energy levels: comparison between Tibetan and small-tailed Han sheep

Some non-structural carbohydrates, especially starch, escape ruminal fermentation, are converted into glucose, and are absorbed from the small intestine. This glucose provides an important source of energy, and its usage is more efficient than glucose from carbohydrates which are fermented as short chain fatty acids in the rumen and, subsequently, undergo hepatic gluconeogenesis. Tibetan sheep graze on the harsh Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) all year round and their carbohydrate and energy intakes fluctuate greatly with seasonal forage availability. Consequently, a high capacity to absorb glucose from the small intestine would be particularly beneficial for Tibetan sheep to allow them to cope with the inconsistent dietary intakes. This study examined how the small intestinal morphology and sugar transporters’ expression of Tibetan and Small-tailed Han (Han) sheep respond to fluctuating energy intakes under the harsh conditions of the QTP. Han sheep graze on the QTP only in summer and are generally raised in feedlots. Twenty-four Tibetan sheep and 24 Han sheep, all wethers, were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 6 per breed/group), with each group offered a diet differing in digestible energy content: 8.21, 9.33, 10.45 and 11.57 MJ/kg DM. After 49 d, all sheep were slaughtered, tissues of the small intestine were collected, and measurements were made of the morphology and glucose transporters and the related regulation gene expressions. At intakes of low energy levels, Tibetan sheep had a greater villus surface area in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and higher mRNA expression of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 in the duodenum and ileum (P < 0.05) than Han sheep. In the glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) mediated glucose absorption pathway, Tibetan sheep had higher GLUT2 and taste receptor family 1 member 2 and 3 mRNA expressions than Han sheep in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). We concluded that the differences between breeds indicated a greater glucose absorption capacity in the small intestine of Tibetan than Han sheep, which would confer an advantage to Tibetan over Han sheep to an inconsistent energy intake on the harsh QTP. These findings suggested that ruminants raised under harsh environmental conditions with highly fluctuating dietary intakes, as is often the case in grazing ruminants worldwide, are able to absorb glucose from the small intestine to a greater extent than ruminants raised under more moderate conditions.     

Genetic variation of 5 SNPs of MC1R gene in Chinese indigenous sheep breeds

The purpose of this study was to assess genetic diversity, genetic differentiation relationship and population structure among 10 Chinese sheep populations using 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MC1R gene. The genetic diversity indices suggested that the intra-population variation levels of Chinese Merino and Large-tailed Han breeds were lowest than Kazakh Fat-Rumped. Chinese sheep breeds have maintained a high intra-population variation levels (95.23%). The genetic differentiation patterns and genetic relationships among Chinese sheep breeds displayed a high consistency with the traditional classification. The cluster trees were constructed by UPMGA method. The results showed that Chinese indigenous sheep populations have distinct genetic differentiation. The inter-population variation levels in Chinese sheep populations indicated three geographically independent domestication events have occurred. The Bayesian cluster analyses also showed a reliable clustering pattern, which revealed three major clusters in Chinese indigenous sheep populations (Mongolian group, Kazakh group and Tibetan group), except for Duolang and Minxian Black-fur. There were probably caused by different breeding history, geography isolation and different levels of inbreeding. The findings supported the related records in literature, ten sheep populations originated on different time stage from the primogenitor population and communicated genetically with each other in the process of natural and artificial selection, and in different ecological environment. It is concluded that Chinese indigenous sheep have higher genetic variation and diversity, genetic differentiation exist between Chinese sheep populations.     

Genetic Differentiation of Native Sheep Populations in East and South Asia

Variations of four sheep populations in China were examined by multiloci electrophoresis, and similar data are quoted to analyze the degree of genetic differentiation of native sheep populations in East and South Asia. Among 15 populations, the average heterozygosity is 0.2746, and the effective number of alleles is 1.559. Mongolian sheep possess the highest genetic diversity, and diversity decreases sequentially in the Chinese, Vietnamese, Bangladeshi, and Nepalese populations. Coefficients of genetic differentiation are 0.0126–0.3083, with an average of 0.148, demonstrating that the major genetic variation (85%) exists within populations. Genetic identity and genetic distance all show relatively low genetic differentiation. No relationship was found between geographic distance and genetic distance. Gene flow is common among the mass of populations, which leads to the inconsistency between geographic distance and genetic distance. The 15 native sheep populations in East and South Asia can be divided into two groups, one group including part of the Chinese and Mongolian populations and another including theYunnan population of China and part of the Nepalese and Bangladeshi populations. Other populations did not separate into groups, merging instead into the two main groups.     

内蒙古汉族、蒙古族与日本学生身高和体质量的最大发育年龄段差异

分析2014年7-18岁内蒙古汉族、蒙古族和日本学生身高及体质量最大发育年龄差异。汉族和蒙古族数据来自《2014年内蒙古自治区学生体质与健康调查研究》;日本数据来源于“平成26年（2014年）度体育与运动调查统计情报”。结果显示：7-18岁各年龄段汉族男女生身高分别比蒙古族高出1.98 cm和1.54 cm;高出日本2.59 cm和2.91 cm（P<0.05）。汉族男生体质量平均高出蒙古族1.97 kg、高出日本4.01 kg;汉族和蒙古族女生体质量分别比日本高出2.59 kg（P<0.05）和2.67 kg（P<0.05）。2014年内蒙古汉族和蒙古族学生身高和体质量发育水平优于日本学生。汉族男生身高最大发育年龄分别提前蒙古族和日本1.73岁和0.9岁;汉族和蒙古族男生体质量最大发育年龄分别比日本滞后1.17和1.07岁;日本女生身高最大发育年龄比汉族和蒙古族提前0.68岁和0.37岁。