Combination of multiple microsatellite data sets to investigate genetic diversity and admixture of domestic cattle

• Published in: Animal genetics Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Freeman, A.R, Bradley, D.G, Nagda, S, Gibson, J.P, Hanotte, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd 01.02.2006; Blackwell Science Ltd; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: admixture; alleles; Animals; Bos; Bos indicus; Bos taurus; cattle; Cattle - genetics; cattle breeds; data analysis; Demography; diversity; gene flow; Gene Frequency; genetic admixture; genetic markers; Genetic Variation; Genetics, Population; geographical distribution; Heterozygote; loci; microsatellite; microsatellite repeats; Microsatellite Repeats - genetics; molecular sequence data; population genetics; Regression Analysis
• ISSN: 0268-9146; 1365-2052
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2005.01363.x

Microsatellite markers are commonly used for population genetic analyses of livestock. However, up to now, combinations of microsatellite data sets or comparison of population genetic parameters from different studies and breeds has proven difficult. Often different genotyping methods have been employed, preventing standardization of microsatellite allele calling. In other cases different sets of markers have been genotyped, providing differing estimates of population genetic parameters. Here, we address these issues and illustrate a general two-step regression approach in cattle using three different sets of microsatellite data, to combine population genetics estimates of diversity and admixture. This regression-based method is independent of the loci genotyped but requires common breeds in the data sets. We show that combining microsatellite data sets can provide new insights on the origin and geographical distribution of genetic diversity and admixture in cattle, which will facilitate global management of this livestock species.