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Huang B, Khan MZ, Chai W, Ullah Q, Wang C. Exploring Genetic Markers: Mitochondrial DNA and Genomic Screening for Biodiversity and Production Traits in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2725. [PMID: 37684989 PMCID: PMC10486882 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Donkeys (Equus asinus) play a pivotal role as essential livestock in arid and semi-arid regions, serving various purposes such as transportation, agriculture, and milk production. Despite their significance, donkey breeding has often been overlooked in comparison to other livestock species, resulting in limited genetic improvement programs. Preserving donkey genetic resources within each country necessitates the establishment of breed conservation programs, focusing on managing genetic diversity among populations. In recent years, significant strides have been made in sequencing and analyzing complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules in donkeys. Notably, numerous studies have honed in on the mitochondrial D-loop region, renowned for its remarkable variability and higher substitution rate within the mtDNA genome, rendering it an effective genetic marker for assessing genetic diversity in donkeys. Furthermore, genetic markers at the RNA/DNA level have emerged as indispensable tools for enhancing production and reproduction traits in donkeys. Traditional animal breeding approaches based solely on phenotypic traits, such as milk yields, weight, and height, are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. To overcome these challenges, genetic markers, such as polymorphisms, InDel, or entire gene sequences associated with desirable traits in animals, have achieved widespread usage in animal breeding practices. These markers have proven increasingly valuable for facilitating the selection of productive and reproductive traits in donkeys. This comprehensive review examines the cutting-edge research on mitochondrial DNA as a tool for assessing donkey biodiversity. Additionally, it highlights the role of genetic markers at the DNA/RNA level, enabling the informed selection of optimal production and reproductive traits in donkeys, thereby driving advancements in donkey genetic conservation and breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjian Huang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
- College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252059, China
| | - Muhammad Zahoor Khan
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan 29220, Pakistan
| | - Wenqiong Chai
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
| | - Qudrat Ullah
- Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan 29220, Pakistan
| | - Changfa Wang
- Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Agricultural Science and Engineering School, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China
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Alves JS, de Araujo Oliveira CA, Escodro PB, Pinto LFB, Costa RB, de Camargo GMF. Genetic origin of donkeys in Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:291. [PMID: 36094617 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The genetic groups of native donkeys in Brazil are characterized by adaptation to the local environment. However, the donkey population in the country is declining, mainly because of agricultural mechanization and transportation that has led to the abandonment and the consequent indiscriminate slaughter of these animals. There are three local genetic groups of distinct geographic and temporal formation. However, analyses of their origin, phylogenetic relationship, and population structure are scarce. Within this context, molecular markers such as the mitochondrial control region (D-loop) are useful for these analyses. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study aimed to evaluate the variation and origin of maternal lineages of groups of naturalized donkeys in Brazil (Brazilian, Nordestino, and Pêga). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We detected five mitochondrial haplotypes with 19 polymorphic sites, two of them exclusively found in the Nordestino donkey; this group is in fact more distant from the others. Phylogenetic analysis indicates maternal contributions of two clades (Nubian and Somali) to the formation of the genetic groups of donkeys, a fact that explains the high diversity, structure, and distances of the groups, reported here for the first time. CONCLUSION : This analysis contributes production and conservation of native donkey breeds. It also gives clues about the formation of the Iberian breeds from which Brazilian donkeys originated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackeline Santos Alves
- Escola de Medicina Veterinária E Zootecnia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Milton Santos, 500, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-110, Brazil
| | - Chiara Albano de Araujo Oliveira
- Escola de Medicina Veterinária E Zootecnia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Milton Santos, 500, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-110, Brazil
| | - Pierre Barnabé Escodro
- Centro de Engenharias e Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Luis Fernando Batista Pinto
- Escola de Medicina Veterinária E Zootecnia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Milton Santos, 500, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-110, Brazil
| | - Raphael Bermal Costa
- Escola de Medicina Veterinária E Zootecnia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Milton Santos, 500, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-110, Brazil
| | - Gregório Miguel Ferreira de Camargo
- Escola de Medicina Veterinária E Zootecnia, Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Avenida Milton Santos, 500, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-110, Brazil.
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