The genetic variability of the Holstein blood parts having Lithuanian Black-and-White cattle breed

Abstract

This report focuses on Lithuanian black – and – white cattle breed, which covers 70% of all cattle in Lithuania. It is highly genetically related to the Holstein cattle breed and the inspected individuals’ samples contain Holstein blood parts, which are categorized in the groups depending on the presence of the blood parts percentage (from less than 50% to 100%). In the present study 26 individuals of Holstein and Lithuanian cattle breeds were genotyped using 16 fluorescently–labeled microsatellite markers (BOVIRBP, BTJAB1, BM6438, BM2830, TGLA122, ETH10, BM1225, BM1818, RT9, BM723, ETH121, BOVFSH, TGLA53, AGLA232, BM1824, RT29) to assess genetic variation and relationships among them. DNA amplifications results revealed that three loci (AGLA232, BM1824, RT29), either failed to amplify or amplified alleles were difficult to score. The genotypes were used to estimate the frequencies of the alleles, the genetic distances, private, dominant and different alleles in the breed groups and loci. A total of 250 alleles were identified with a number of alleles (Na) at one locus ranging from 7 to 29. Nei’s genetic distance estimates indicated relatively close genetic identity (0.132) between less than 50% with 71-78% Holstein blood parts having groups while 100% and 93.75% Holstein blood parts having groups were found most distinct (0.359). The principal component analyses distinguished clearly 100% Holstein group to the remaining groups. These results will be important to save the Lithuanian cattle breed’s characteristics and production’s quality.