Acta Vet. Brno 2013, 82: 135-140
Genetic variability of microsatellites in autochthonous Podolian cattle breeds in Croatia
The aim of the study was to analyse the status of the genetic structure of two autochthonous Croatian Podolian breeds (Istrian cattle and Slavonian Syrmian Podolians). The study comprised 20 randomly selected blood samples of each cattle breed. The genotyping was performed on 11 microsatellites (TGLA227, BM2113, TGLA53, ETH10, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, INRA23, ETH3, ETH225, BM1824) as recommended by International Society of Animal Genetics and Food and Agriculture Organization. The procedure enabled the identification of 423 (96.14%) genotypes, indicating the validity of DNA analyses in blood samples and adequacy of the selected microsatellite markers. Likewise, there was the total number of 203 alleles with minimal differences among the studied groups. The differences (p > 0.05) were observed within the genotypes of the studied groups regarding the microsatellite loci. The distribution of the genetic relationship was presented by Wright F coefficients. The FIS had negative values for the TGLA 227 locus in both studied groups and for ETH3, ETH225 and BM1834 loci in the Slavonian Syrmian Podolians. This obtained data with relative high values of heterozygosity also shows a genetical influence of other breeds. Almost all FIT values were appropriate (0.31905) as a result of excessive selection effects. The mean value of FST (0.07336) indicates that the average degree of genetic variability of the studied breeds was not significantly different despite certain differences in individual loci. The observed specific polymorphism of loci shows that the Istrian cattle and the Slavonian Syrmian Podolians have similar genetic characteristics, but also that there are certain differences between the breeds and even inter-breed differences. The findings indicate a relationship between the breeds and their suitable purity for interbreeding but they also indicate certain danger to certain parts of genome within the studied species. The results can be applied in the protection and breeding programs for the preservation of autochtonous Croatian Podolian breeds.
