Genetic variations and dog breed identification using inter-simple sequence repeat markers coupled with high...

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Animal Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Distinguishing purebred dogs from mixed breeds can be difficult for owners and veterinarians.
• The official pedigree system is currently the sole method for validating a dog's breed purity.
• There is a need for reliable genetic tools to complement or replace traditional breed identification methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers in identifying genetic variations among dog breeds.
• To assess the utility of combining ISSR markers with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for precise breed identification.
• To analyze the genetic diversity and population structure within and among various dog breeds.

Main Methods:

• DNA was extracted from 463 dogs across 43 breeds.
• Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were employed to analyze genetic polymorphisms.
• High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis was utilized in conjunction with ISSR markers for breed discrimination.

Main Results:

• A single ISSR primer achieved 31-78.6% breed discrimination.
• Combining two ISSR primers resulted in 100% discrimination among all 43 breeds.
• High genetic diversity was observed (Shannon's index = 2.586 ± 0.034, Expected heterozygosity = 0.908 ± 0.003).
• A fixation index of 10.4% indicated significant genetic subdivision between dog populations.

Conclusions:

• ISSR marker analysis effectively reveals high genetic diversity across dog breeds.
• The combination of ISSR marker analysis and HRM analysis provides a powerful optional technique for genetic breed identification.
• This genetic approach offers a reliable method for researchers to identify dog breeds based on distinct genetic variations.