Investigation of Genetic Diversity of Iran Northwest Horses Using Microsatellite Markers

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate genetic diversity in six Iranian horse populations including Ardabil native horses, Ardabil clubs horses and Arab, Drehshoori, Kordi and Qarabakh breeds. Material and Methods To perform the present study, 100 horses were sampled. After extraction and quality assessment of DNA, polymerase chain reaction was performed for eight microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity and statistical analysis were performed using GenAlEx 6.5 software. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using microsatellite marker information indicating genetic distances of analyzed horse breeds. Also, STRUCTURE software was used to analysis of genetic structure of Iranian horse populations. Results The obtained results showed that the number of observed alleles in Ardabil native horses was 22, while this value for Dareshoori breed was 7.5. The observed heterozygosity was ranged from 0.865 for Kordi to 1 for Qarabakh breed. The average of observed alleles was calculated 13.729. Investigation phylogenetic tree showed that Ardabil native horses and Ardabil clubs horses have low genetic distance. Conclusion The investigation of genetic diversity of Iranian horses using eight microsatellite markers indicated that there is significant genetic variation in Iranian horses in the Northwest of Iran. Part of this variation is due to use of uncontrolled mating among breeds.