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Updated: May 1, 2026

Genotyping Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Mitochondrial Genome by Pyrosequencing
Published on: February 10, 2023
Genetic analysis of seven Italian horse breeds based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop variation
D Bigi1, G Perrotta, P Zambonelli
1Department of Agricultural and Food Science and Technology (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli 107, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Abstract:
To understand the origin and genetic diversity of Italian horses, mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences were generated for 163 horses from seven breeds. Sequence analysis of a 480-bp segment revealed a total of 84 haplotypes with 57 polymorphic sites, indicating multiple maternal origins and high genetic diversity. Comparison of the haplotypes with the equine mtDNA haplotype/haplogroup nomenclature showed a haplogroup distribution in the Italian breeds more similar to that found in the Middle East breeds than in the European breeds, probably due to the economic and cultural relationship with the Middle East in the past centuries.
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