Genetic Analysis of Three Lithuanian Native Horse Breeds

Abstract

This study was the first to analyze the polymorphic characteristics of a wide range of genetic markers in three Lithuanian horse breeds. Genetic variation at seven red blood cell alloantigen (blood group) loci, 10 biochemical genetic loci and 16 microsatellites was examinated in 31 Zemaitukai, 30 large-type Zemaitukai and 24 Lithuanian Heavy Draught horse and compared to that of other domestic horse breeds. Genetic variability of the Zemaitukai breeds based upon blood groups and biochemical loci was higher than average for domestic horse breeds. For microsatellite loci, the variability of the large-type Zemaitukai and the Heavy Draught breeds also was high compared to the mean variation for domestic breeds; however, for the Zemaitukai breed, variation levels were very near the average for horses.

Keywords:

• blood groups
• genetic similarity
• genetic variation
• microsatellite
• polymorphism analysis

We thank the staff of the Equine Parentage Testing and Research Laboratory of the University of Kentucky for their expertise in the genetic typing of the horse. Thanks are also due to horse breeders for permission in the collection of material.