GENETIC STRUCTURE OF DIFFERENT EQUINE BREEDS BY MICROSATELLITE DNA LOCI

Aim. Our work was aimed at the evaluation of genetic diversity of three domestic equine breeds which differ by the history of their formation and use. Methods. Genotyping of DNA samples of three breeds of horses, namely, Hucul (78 animals), Thoroughbred (51 animals) and Ukrainian Saddle Horse (152 animals), was conducted by 11 microsatellite loci, recommended by the International Stud Book Committee (ISBC) and the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). The mathematical analysis involved parametric and non-parametric methods of statistics. Results. The results of polymorphism analysis of the gene funds for Hucul, Thoroughbred and Ukrainian Saddle horses by 11 microsatellite DNA loci were first presented in Ukraine. It was demonstrated that the study of microsatellite DNA loci allows both determining the reliability of origin of pedigree animals and controlling population processes in different breeds and the polymorphy of the very breeds. Conclusions. The molecular and genetic analysis of equine breeds, differing by their provenance, demonstrated specificities of genetic structure of each breed, which correspond to the formation history of their gene funds. The populational-genetic analysis using different mathematical methods is recommended for the purposes of evaluating and forecasting microevolution processes, controlling gene fund formation both during the breeding work and within the system of preserving genetic biodiversity.