Microsatellite loci analysis for the genetic variability and paternal lineages in Iranian native dogs

Genetic variation among the individuals is considered as an important tool for conservation of livestock animals. This study was conducted to analyze the genetic variation, phylogenetic relationship and paternal lineages among Iranian dog populations using seventeen autosomal and Y chromosome-specific microsatellite markers. Total DNAs of the samples were extracted and applied for genotype analysis. The results demonstrated that all populations except the Bakhtiari, Sarabi and Alborz samples showed significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) at more than one locus. The number of alleles per population ranged from 4 (FH3053) to 9 (FH20609,20) with a mean of 6.2. In addition, based on the effective alleles, Shannon index and PIC, FH3053 and FH20609, 20 loci indicated the least and the most diversity. The expected heterozygosity varied from 0.53 in Sangsari population to 0.72 in Kurdish population. The highest and lowest genetic distance were detected between Tazi and Alborz and between Bakhtiyari and Sarabi populations, respectively. Y-Specific markers identified eight paternal haplotypes in the populations, indicating various paternal lineages in Iranian native dogs. The results of the current study indicated the segregation of breed-specific alleles in some dog populations, and showed that the populations had a relatively high genetic variation. The findings could be useful in the designing of breeding strategies and conservation of the dog populations in Iran.