Several evidences of the presence of zebuine markers in Podolian cattle breeds have been collected so far. Here we present the results of a polymorphism analysis at the GHR gene in southern and eastern European cattle breeds confirming the presence of zebuine alleles (Sau96I- and LINE-) in Podolian cattle also at the somatotropin receptor gene. These findings are most likely due to the introgressive hybridization that frequently occurred by the time Indian zebu cattle migrated towards Eastern Europe first as wild populations (25-30 thousand years ago) and then following Asian invaders (in late Roman times). The different GHR alleles at taurine and zebuine cattle likely predate domestication, their distribution primarily reflecting separate domestication events, although influence of natural and man-guided selection on shaping present-day distributions should not be disregarded, due to the strong adaptive significance of GHR-mediated processes. Therefore, GHR polymorphism should be taken into great account in evaluating functional variability in cattle breeds for conservation purposes.
Bos indicus genetic markers in local Bos taurus cattle breeds from south and east Europe.
CIANI, ELENA;PIERAGOSTINI, Elisa
2012-01-01
Abstract
Several evidences of the presence of zebuine markers in Podolian cattle breeds have been collected so far. Here we present the results of a polymorphism analysis at the GHR gene in southern and eastern European cattle breeds confirming the presence of zebuine alleles (Sau96I- and LINE-) in Podolian cattle also at the somatotropin receptor gene. These findings are most likely due to the introgressive hybridization that frequently occurred by the time Indian zebu cattle migrated towards Eastern Europe first as wild populations (25-30 thousand years ago) and then following Asian invaders (in late Roman times). The different GHR alleles at taurine and zebuine cattle likely predate domestication, their distribution primarily reflecting separate domestication events, although influence of natural and man-guided selection on shaping present-day distributions should not be disregarded, due to the strong adaptive significance of GHR-mediated processes. Therefore, GHR polymorphism should be taken into great account in evaluating functional variability in cattle breeds for conservation purposes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
