A new molecular screening tool for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in donkeys

Chromosomal abnormalities are a major cause of infertility and reproductive problems in equids. Nowadays, their detection is rising due to the use of new diagnostic tools based on molecular markers instead of karyotyping. Reports of this kind of genetic aberrations in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) are extremely scarce, despite their importance in human activities. In the present study, we analysed the implementation of a short-tandem-repeat (STR)-based molecular method initially developed for horses, as a diagnostic tool to detect chromosomal abnormalities in donkeys. The frequency of five X-linked (LEX003, LEX026, TKY38, TKY270 and UCEDQ502) and one Y-linked (ECAYM2) molecular markers and one Y-linked gene (sex-determining region Y, SRY) was characterized in 121 donkeys from two diverse breeds, the Spanish Andalusian and the African Moroccan breeds. The molecular panel showed 100% sensitivity and 99.67% specificity in detecting 10 different chromosomal abnormalities in the species. In conclusion, this methodology is a valid, rapid and low-cost tool for the detection and characterization of chromosomal abnormalities in domestic donkeys.