Inter- and intrabreed diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in primitive and draft horse breeds.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes ensures effective immune responses against a wide array of pathogens. However, artificial selection, as performed in the case of domestic animals, may influence MHC diversity. Here, we investigate and compare the MHC diversity of three populations of horses, for which different breeding policies were applied, to evaluate the impact of artificial selection and the environment on MHC polymorphism. METHODS:Samples of DNA were taken from 100 Polish draft horses, 38 stabled Konik Polski horses and 32 semiferal Konik Polski horses. MHC alleles and haplotype diversity within and between these populations of horses was estimated from 11 MHC microsatellite loci. RESULTS:MHC diversity measured based on allelic richness, observed

SUBMITTER: Jaworska J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6996847 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature