engleski

Genetic characterization of Croatian autochthonous sheep populations : Analysis of mtDNA and Y chromosome

On the Croatian part of Adriatic Sea (coastal part and islands), currently is being bred more that 300 000 sheep. Despite its regional specificities and variability, detailed genetic analysis of autochthonous sheep populations in Croatia has been not carried out yet. Variability within nucleotide sequence within mtDNA appeared to be useful by determine genetic diversity and sheep origins. Until today, five main sheep mtDNA haplogroups is known (A, B, C, D, E). Haplogroup B is characteristic for Central European region. Beside mtDNA, for genetic analysis of sheep population, polymorphism of Y chromosome is also used, specifically variability of microsatellites on SRY gene (SRYM18) and SNP marker AY604734.2:g.67A>G. In this study were analysed blood samples of 159 rams from 9 autochthonous breeds from Croatian Adriatic coastal part and islands. European mouflon rams (21) samples were also analysed as close kin to domestic sheep. Total of 70 haplotypes of mtDNA was identified, from which 98, 3% was within haplogroup B, that confirms joint origin with European sheep breeds. By Y chromosome analysis 5 different haplotypes were indentified from which H6, characteristic for most of domestic sheep and European mouflon populations, was most common (90, 5%). Homogeneity of autochthonous Croatian sheep populations is confirmed by low diversity of mtDNA nucleotide sequence (π = 0, 002), as of results of AMOVA analysis.

sheep; mtDNA; Y chromosome polymorphism

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