Genetic variation in the population of three Polish cattle breeds included into the programme of genetic resources protection and Holstein-Friesian breed, estimation on the basis of polymorphism of 24 microsatellite DNA sequences

Abstract

The study focused on determining and characterizing genetic variation of three Polish cattle breeds [Whiteback (WB), Polish Red (PR) and Polish Black-and-White (PBW)] included in the programme of genetic resources conservation. The obtained results were related to the genetic variation within the Holstein-Friesian (PHF) breed of Black-and-White variety. Overall, 214 alleles were identified within four examined breeds, including 189 in WB, 178 in PR, 168 in PBW and 158 in PHF. Almost 13% of the identified alleles were the specific ones and the majority of them were determined within WB and PR cattle, 10 alleles in each breed. The greatest genetic distance of 0.013 was established between PR breed and PHF. PR and WB cattle were located in the same clad of neighbour-joining tree which proves their distinction from PBW and PHF cattle.

Keywords: Local cattle breeds, genetic variation, microsatellites