High polymorphism at microsatellite loci in the Chinese donkey

Area of Science:

• Animal Genetics
• Zoology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Understanding genetic diversity is crucial for conservation and breeding programs of domestic animals.
• Chinese donkey breeds have unique genetic resources that require detailed characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among ten Chinese donkey breeds.
• To compare the genetic diversity of Chinese donkeys with foreign breeds.

Main Methods:

• Genomic DNA was extracted from 415 individuals across ten Chinese donkey breeds.
• Ten microsatellite markers were used to analyze genetic variation, including allele number, heterozygosity (HE), and polymorphic information content (PIC).
• Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Nei's standard genetic distance and a neighbor-joining tree.

Main Results:

• Seven of ten microsatellite loci were polymorphic, indicating their suitability for diversity analysis.
• The mean PIC, HE, and effective number of alleles (NE) were 0.7679, 0.8072, and 6.0275, respectively, across the ten breeds.
• Chinese donkey breeds demonstrated higher genetic diversity and heterozygosity than foreign donkeys. Xinjiang, Qingyang, Xiji, and Guanzhong breeds showed close genetic distances, while Mongolia and Dezhou breeds formed a distinct cluster.

Conclusions:

• Domestic Chinese donkey breeds possess substantial genetic diversity and heterozygosity.
• The genetic relationships among Chinese donkey breeds are closely linked to their geographical origins and historical breeding practices.
• These findings provide valuable insights for the sustainable management and conservation of Chinese donkey genetic resources.