中国蒙系绵羊品种间的基因流动

利用结构基因座和微卫星标记分析了中国蒙系绵羊4个品种间的基因流动情况。结果显示, 由结构基因座得出的遗传分化系数在0.0164 ~ 0.0455之间, 由微卫星位点得出的遗传分化系数在0.0107 ~ 0.0239之间, 说明遗传变异绝大部分存在于品种内, 蒙系绵羊品种间的遗传分化水平很低。结构基因座(N_m = 7.971)和微卫星位点(N_m = 15.732)都反映出品种间的基因流通畅。品种间的遗传差异与地理距离之间无直接相关关系。初步推断我国蒙系绵羊品种间的遗传分化主要是自然选择(生境异质性)作用的结果。     

The genetic structure of Kulunda sheep]

The analysis of the genetic structure of the Kulunda sheep in eight polymorphous genetic-biochemical systems was carried out. While comparing with the genetic structures of number of sheep breeds, differentiated by the origin history, productivity traits and the breeding regions, the locus-specificity particularities of the Kulunda sheep were described. The importance of creating of the "genetic portrait" for disappearing breeds was discussed.     

我国主要地方绵羊品种随机扩增多态DNA研究

对蒙古羊、湖羊、滩羊、小尾寒羊、乌珠穆沁羊、藏绵羊、阿勒泰羊7个地方绵羊品种和无角陶赛特羊、德国美利奴羊、萨福克羊3个引入品种基因组DNA进行了RAPD分析。结果表明：（1）RAPD可作为一种有效的标记用于绵羊品种之间遗传亲缘关系的分析。（2）在所使用的43种随机引物中,有35种引物扩增出多态谱带,多态频率为66.24%,说明RAPD技术用于研究绵羊核DNA的遗传变异具有较高的检出率和灵敏度。（3）总群体平均遗传多样性指数（HSP)为0.9139,说明绵羊群体具有较为丰富的遗传多样性。（4）我国地方绵羊品种间的分子聚类关系与其所处的地理位置、考古学结果,以及细胞遗传学研究结果基本,引入品种间的分子聚类关系也与其育成史基本一致。     

Genetic diversity and differentiation of 12 eastern Adriatic and western Dinaric native sheep breeds using microsatellites

Nuclear genetic diversity and differentiation of 341 sheep belonging to 12 sheep breeds from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were examined. The aim of the study was to provide the understanding of the genetic structure and variability of the analysed pramenka sheep populations, and to give indications for conservation strategies based on the population diversity and structure information. The genetic variation of the sheep populations, examined at the nuclear level using 27 microsatellite loci, revealed considerable levels of genetic diversity, similar to the diversity found in other European indigenous low-production sheep breeds. Population-specific alleles were detected at most loci and in breeds analysed. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.643 (in Lika pramenka) to 0.743 (in Vlasic pramenka), and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.646 (in Lika pramenka) to 0.756 (in Dalmatian pramenka). Significant inbreeding coefficients were found for half of the populations studied and ranged from 0.040 (Pag island sheep) to 0.091 (Kupres pramenka). Moderate genetic differentiation was found between the studied sheep populations. The total genetic variability observed between different populations was 5.29%, whereas 94.71% of the variation was found within populations. Cres island sheep, Lika pramenka and Istrian sheep were identified as the most distinct populations, which was confirmed by the factorial analysis of correspondence and supported through a bootstrapping adjustment to correct for the difference in the sample sizes. The population structure analysis distinguished 12 clusters for the 12 sheep breeds analysed. However, the cluster differentiation was low for Dalmatian, Vlasic, Stolac and Krk pramenka. This systematic study identified Lika pramenka and Rab island sheep as those with the lowest diversity, whereas Istrian sheep and Pag island sheep had the highest. Conservation actions are proposed for Istrian, Rab and Cres island sheep, Lika and Kupres pramenka because of high estimated coefficients of inbreeding.     

Gene Pool of Pig Breeds in Southern Region of Ukraine as Determined from Immunogenetic Parameters

On the basis of the long-term observations of 22 334 pedigree animals, the level of genetic polymorphism and basic breed-specific immunogenetic parameters were determined in eight major pig breeds from southern Ukraine. The high level of gene diversity was revealed and the degree of genetic similarity between the studied breeds was estimated.     

Gene pool of pig breeds in southern region of Ukraine as determined from immunogenetic parameters

On the basis of the long-term observations of 22 334 pedigree animals, the level of genetic polymorphism and basic breed-specific immunogenetic parameters were determined in eight major pig breeds from southern Ukraine. The high level of gene diversity was revealed and the degree of genetic similarity between the studied breeds was estimated.     

Genetic variations in blood proteins within and between Spanish dairy sheep breeds

Eleven flocks of three Spanish sheep breeds have been studied: four Churra, four Lacha and three Manchega. Genetic variations between flocks of the same and different breeds have been analysed, using eight genetic blood systems and a wide range of statistical methods. The results show that the Churra, Lacha and Manchega breeds present significant differences between each other. Significant intraracial variations have been observed in Churras and Lachas, although they were almost non-existent in Manchegas. In some cases the genetic distances between flocks of the same breed were greater than the distances between flocks of different breeds. The data indicate that the closest breeds genetically are Lacha and Manchega.     

Comparative Estimate of the sheep breed gene pools using ISSR-analysis

Using the ISSR-PCR technique, the genetic structure of nine sheep breeds (Ovis aries) bred on the territories of Russia and Mongolia was examined. Species-specific and breed-specific DNA fragments were identified. For the first time, data on the genetic diversity of Telengit and Buubey sheep breeds were obtained. The main parameters of the genetic diversity and the breed structure were assessed, and the phylogenetic relationships and genetic distances between the studied breeds were determined. Using the method of hierarchical frequency averaging, the prototypal sheep gene pool was reconstructed. The three-tiered analysis of diversity based on the ISSR fingerprinting data showed that 15.8% of variability was found between the breeds, 31.4% of variability was found between the populations within the breeds, and the diversity among the individuals within the populations constituted 52.8%.     

新疆8个绵羊品种遗传多样性和系统发生关系的微卫星分析

为分析新疆北疆地区主要绵羊品种的遗传多样性和系统发生关系,利用10个微卫星标记,采用PCR扩增,12％非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳、Sanguinetti银染法显色,对新疆北疆地区8个品种、1个杂交一代绵羊群体遗传多样性进行了检测,统计了各群体的等位基因组成、平均有效等位基因数(E)和平均基因纯合率,利用等位基因频率计算出各群体的平均遗传杂合度(h)、多态信息含量(PIC)和群体间的遗传距离。利用分子进化遗传分析软件,采用邻结法构建系统发生树;同时根据等位基因频率,利用PHYLIP(3．6)分析软件,采用最大似然法构建系统发生树,应用白举检验估计系统树中结点的白引导值,并进行了系统发生分析。结果表明：10个微卫星位点在9个绵羊群体中的多态信息含量除BMI824、MAF65为低、中度多态外,其余8个微卫星均为高度多态,可作为有效的遗传标记用于各绵羊品种的遗传多样性和系统发生关系的分析;所有绵羊群体的平均PIC(0．5631)、h(0．5721)和E(2．9)均低于国外其他品种的绵羊,其基因多态性和遗传多样性相对贫乏;新疆本地土种阿勒泰羊、哈萨克羊和巴什拜羊与国外引进绵羊品种及混有外血的本地培育品种遗传距离较远,他们聚为不同的两类,各绵羊品种的分子系统发生关系与其来源、育成史、分化及地理分布基本一致。     

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     

Population structure in Indian sheep ascertained using microsatellite information

This study attempts to provide a comprehensive insight into the prevailing genetic status of Indian sheep breeds using microsatellite markers. Seventeen Indian sheep breeds from 3 agroecological zones were analysed using a panel of 25 microsatellite markers. All of the sheep breeds investigated were genetically diverse, as evident from the high allele (>6) and gene (>0.6) diversity values. The gene diversity values for all breeds ranged from 0.621 to 0.780. The within-population heterozygote deficit (F(IS)) varied from -0.098 to 0.234, reflecting significant levels for 12 of the 17 breeds investigated. The average genetic differentiation between all breeds (F(ST)) was 11.1%, revealing moderate discrimination between the indigenous sheep breeds. The genetic distance and principal component analysis revealed a separation of sheep breeds based on geographical propinquity. The Bayesian clustering approach suggested poor breed differentiation in the north-western arid and semi-arid region when compared to the breeds from the eastern and southern peninsular regions. The observed results mirror the divergent management strategies in the different agroecological regions, lack of specific selection policies, and intermixing of breeds in close proximity. Immediate steps to curb the intermixing and erosion of breed purity for some of these breeds need to be implemented, for example, by introducing measures like making proven rams available and ensuring their frequent exchange between flocks. The data generated here provides valuable information about the genetic structure of the 17 Indian sheep breeds and this can be used for designating priorities for their conservation.     

Genome-wide DNA arrays profiling unravels the genetic structure of Iranian sheep and pattern of admixture with worldwide coarse-wool sheep breeds

Archaeological and genetic evidence show that sheep were originally domesticated in area around the North of Zagros mountains, North-west of Iran. The Persian plateau exhibits a variety of native sheep breeds with a common characteristic of coarse-wool production. Therefore, knowledge about the genetic structure and diversity of Iranian sheep and genetic connections with other sheep breeds is of great interest. To this end, we genotyped 154 samples from 11 sheep breeds distributed across Iran with the Ovine Infinium HD SNP 600 K BeadChip array, and analyzed this dataset combined with the retrieved data of 558 samples from 19 worldwide coarse-wool sheep breeds. The average genetic diversity ranged from 0.315 to 0.354, while the F_ST values ranged from 0.016 to 0.177 indicating a low differentiation of Iranian sheep. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 90.21 and 9.79% of the source of variation were related to differences within and between populations, respectively. Our results indicated that the coarse-wool sheep from Europe were clearly different from those of the Asia. Accordingly, the Asiatic mouflon was positioned between Asian and European countries. In addition, we found that the genetic background of Iranian sheep is present in sheep from China and Kyrgyzstan, as well as India. The revealed admixture patterns of the Iranian sheep and other coarse-wool sheep breeds probably resulted from the expansion of nomads and through the Silk Road trade network.     

Genetic diversity in nine native Turkish sheep breeds based on microsatellite analysis

The genetic variability of 204 sheep from nine breeds (Awassi, Çine Çapar?, Karaka?, Karya, Karayaka, Morkaraman, Norduz, Sak?z and Tuj) growing in four different regions (western, northern, eastern and south‐eastern Anatolia) was assessed using 18 microsatellite loci. High mean number of alleles, allelic richness and factorial correspondence analysis showed the degree of admixture between native sheep breeds of Turkey. The Karya and Çine Çapar? breeds were observed as the most distinct of the breeds, and possible introgressions were detected in other breeds. It was found that 8.9% of genetic variation resulted from the difference between the populations. The genetic variation in Turkish breeds was not much higher than that of European breeds, which might be a consequence of the recent sharp decrease in sheep numbers.     

Conservation priorities for Ethiopian sheep breeds combining threat status,breed merits and contributions to genetic diversity

Prioritizing livestock breeds for conservation needs to incorporate both genetic and non-genetic aspects important for the survival of the breeds. Here, we apply a maximum-utility-strategy to prioritize 14 traditional Ethiopian sheep breeds based on their threat status, contributions to farmer livelihoods (current breed merits) and contributions to genetic diversity. Contributions of the breeds to genetic diversity were quantified using Eding''s marker-estimated kinship approaches. Non-genetic aspects included threats (e.g. low population size, low preferences by farmers) and current merits (economic, ecological and cultural merits). Threat analysis identified eight of the 14 breeds as threatened. Analysis of current merits showed that sub-alpine and arid-lowland breeds contribute most to farmer livelihoods in comparison to other breeds. The highest contribution to the genetic diversity conserved was from the Simien breed. Simien showed high between-breed (low between-breed kinship = 0.04) as well as high within-breed diversity (low within-breed kinship = 0.09 and high H_E = 0.73 and allelic richness = 6.83). We combined the results on threat status, current breed merits and contributions to genetic diversity to produce a ranking of the 14 breeds for conservation purposes. Our results balance the trade-offs between conserving breeds as insurance against future uncertainties and current sustainable utilization. The ranking of breeds provides a basis for conservation strategies for Ethiopian sheep and contributes to a regional or global conservation plan.     

Genetic relationships among Spanish sheep using microsatellites

Five indigenous Spanish breeds of sheep, Churra, Latxa, Manchega, Rasa–Aragonesa and Merino, with Awassi sheep as a reference breed were genotyped for 19 DNA microsatellites. Allele frequencies and mean heterozygosities revealed the greatest genetic variation in Merino sheep and the lowest in Awassis. Differences in variability were not great in the other breeds studied. The dendrograms obtained based on genetic distances showed a large differentiation between Awassi sheep and the Spanish breeds, as was to be expected from their distinct genetic origin. Merinos appeared separated from the other four breeds, of which, according to a classification based on the fleece characteristics, Churra and Latxa belong to the churro type and Manchega and Rasa–Aragonesa to the so called entrefino type, though no clear separation was evident between the two types. These results suggest that morphological data alone are insufficient for determining relationships between breeds and that studies involving genetic markers may be of great assistance.     

Genome‐wide analysis of Italian sheep diversity reveals a strong geographic pattern and cryptic relationships between breeds

Italy counts several sheep breeds, arisen over centuries as a consequence of ancient and recent genetic and demographic events. To finely reconstruct genetic structure and relationships between Italian sheep, 496 subjects from 19 breeds were typed at 50K single nucleotide polymorphism loci. A subset of foreign breeds from the Sheep HapMap dataset was also included in the analyses. Genetic distances (as visualized either in a network or in a multidimensional scaling analysis of identical by state distances) closely reflected geographic proximity between breeds, with a clear north–south gradient, likely because of high levels of past gene flow and admixture all along the peninsula. Sardinian breeds diverged more from other breeds, a probable consequence of the combined effect of ancient sporadic introgression of feral mouflon and long‐lasting genetic isolation from continental sheep populations. The study allowed the detection of previously undocumented episodes of recent introgression (Delle Langhe into the endangered Altamurana breed) as well as signatures of known, or claimed, historical introgression (Merino into Sopravissana and Gentile di Puglia; Bergamasca into Fabrianese, Appenninica and, to a lesser extent, Leccese). Arguments that would question, from a genomic point of view, the current breed classification of Bergamasca and Biellese into two separate breeds are presented. Finally, a role for traditional transhumance practices in shaping the genetic makeup of Alpine sheep breeds is proposed. The study represents the first exhaustive analysis of Italian sheep diversity in an European context, and it bridges the gap in the previous HapMap panel between Western Mediterranean and Swiss breeds.     

New insights into mitogenomic phylogeny and copy number in eight indigenous sheep populations based on the ATP synthase and cytochrome c oxidase genes

The origins and phylogeny of different sheep breeds has been widely studied using polymorphisms within the mitochondrial hypervariable region. However, little is known about the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and phylogeny based on mtDNA protein-coding genes. In this study, we assessed the phylogeny and copy number of the mtDNA in eight indigenous (population size, n=184) and three introduced (n=66) sheep breeds in China based on five mitochondrial coding genes (COX1, COX2, ATP8, ATP6 and COX3). The mean haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.944 and 0.00322, respectively. We identified a correlation between the lineages distribution and the genetic distance, whereby Valley-type Tibetan sheep had a closer genetic relationship with introduced breeds (Dorper, Poll Dorset and Suffolk) than with other indigenous breeds. Similarly, the Median-joining profile of haplotypes revealed the distribution of clusters according to genetic differences. Moreover, copy number analysis based on the five mitochondrial coding genes was affected by the genetic distance combining with genetic phylogeny; we also identified obvious non-synonymous mutations in ATP6 between the different levels of copy number expressions. These results imply that differences in mitogenomic compositions resulting from geographical separation lead to differences in mitochondrial function.     

Prion Protein Polymorphisms and Estimation of Risk of Scrapie in East Asian Sheep

Allele and genotype frequency distributions of prion protein (PrP) polymorphisms at three codons, 136, 154, and 171, in East Asian sheep were determined by PCR–RFLP analysis using 553 animals from nine local breeds of the northern group and four local breeds of the southern group. Based on the genotype distribution, the risk score for scrapie was estimated. Among the local breeds, ARQ appeared predominantly (0.7701–1), followed by ARH and ARR. From such a biased allele distribution, it was difficult to ascertain the prevalent genetic relationships. A marked difference in allele frequencies between the northern and southern groups was seen (P < 0.0001). The East Asian sheep had ARQ at the highest frequency (0.8834); in European sheep it was 0.5317. According to an assessment of scrapie risk in the PrP genotype classes, the predominant ARQ/ARQ in East Asian sheep corresponded to the risk score of R4. This finding suggests that East Asian sheep have a high level of genetic susceptibility to scrapie.     

山东省地方绵羊品种微卫星遗传多态性

利用24个微卫星标记,分析了山东省内原有地方绵羊品种的遗传多样性.结果表明,在来自4个品种共71个种群的164只绵羊中,共检测到等位基因467个,有效等位基因占49.59％,不同微卫星基因座之间的等位基因数差异大于品种之间的差异;发现特有等位基因123个,优势等位基因43个.在所有微卫星基因座中,89％处于Hardy-Weinberg不平衡状态,有50％属于中性基因座.不同品种的微卫星基因座多态信息含量呈高度多态（PIC＞0.5）,Shannon指数较高（I＞1.5）,平均观察杂合度（范围0.454～0.560）明显低于期望杂合度（范围0.831～0.849）,证明4个地方绵羊种群具有丰富的遗传多样性和广泛的遗传基础,但品种内存在着一定程度的近交.聚类分析表明,山东地方绵羊品种遗传进化关系明确,可划分为鲁西地区的小尾寒羊和大尾寒羊、鲁东地区的山地绵羊和洼地绵羊两大类群,其遗传距离与地理分布距离相一致.     

Genetic Diversity of Protein Markers in Sheep Populations from Ukraine

Based on polymorphism of genes for antigen factors of six blood-group systems and four blood protein loci, genetic structure and the main variation parameters were studied in three sheep breeds and three sheep breed types constituting the basis of purebred sheep resources in Ukraine. Specific features of the distribution of genotypes and alleles of polymorphic loci were determined in each of the studied sheep groups depending on their origin and production type. The molecular–genetic markers used in the analysis of the genetic relationships between the sheep breeds and breed types were shown to objectively reflect their breeding history and evolution. Integrally, each of the studied gene pools had a specific profile of gene frequencies reflecting breeding specificity, breed history, and genetic differentiation of breeds.