Microsatellite DNA profile of genealogical lines in the East Bulgarian horse breed

Iliyana Sabeva

Abstract: The study covers data from the DNA-card for determining the identity of 90 horses born after
2010, belonging to 6 genealogical lines of the East Bulgarian Horse breed. Nucleotide polymorphism
(SSRs) data in 15 loci were analyzed.
High genetic diversity in the ASB23 and ASB2 loci has been established for lines found by Thoroughbred
stallions. Above average for the respective line was the polymorphism in HTG10 and HMS3
in the Tihany line, and ASB17 in the lines of Vusterhir, Da Kapo, Eistanzer and Ladykiller. The diversity
in the HMS2, HMS7 and HMS3 loci was also noticeable in the Da Kapo and Eistanzer lines,
descended from Hanoverian stallions. There were specifics regarding to degrees of certain alleles
fixation by loci and the type and frequency of alleles belonging to the “rare” category for each of the
studied genealogical units.
Later set lines were characterized by higher polymorphism in the conditions of medium level
of differentiation between the lines. Close distances have been established between the Tihany and
Zenger lines, followed by Da Kapo and Eistanzer, and between the Da Kapo line and the Zenger and
Vusterhir lines. The highest number of migrated alleles per generation in the genealogical lines was
observed in the loci HMS2 (6.954), AHT4 (5.565) and HMS1 (4.080).
Carrying out possible monitoring of the change of the microsatellite DNA profile of the formed
lines would give the breeders information on the deviation from the population averages of the above
mentioned parameters and at what stage of their development a new components of heredity should
be introduced.

Keywords: East Bulgarian Horse breed; genetic diversity; inter-lines differentiation; microsatellite markers

Date published: 2022-08-29