Evaluation of the gene pool of the Tazy dog breed using microsatellite analysis

Abstract

Tazy dogs appeared on the territory of Kazakhstan more than seven thousand years ago, and since then have become the national treasure of the Kazakh people. According to unofficial estimates from "KANSONAR", there are currently only about 3000 Tazy dogs left, but no more than 350 high-class dogs with pedigrees up to the fourth generation. The conservation and management of such valuable and rare breeds requires the study of their gene pool and systematic control of population genetic parameters. In Kazakhstan, as well as globally, genetic studies of dogs of the Tazy breed have not been conducted previously. The aim of this study was to analyse the parameters of genetic diversity for Tazy populations from different regions of Kazakhstan. Microsatellite analysis of 19 loci was conducted using Thermo Scientific Canine Genotypes Panel 1. The first locus, AHTk211, was selected from a list of 19 loci recommended by the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG). These included CXX279, REN169O18, INU055, REN54P11, INRA21, AHT137, REN169D01, AHTh260, AHTk2, and others. As a result, genetic profiles were obtained for Tazys from the southern, northern and eastern regions of Kazakhstan. The sufficiently high genetic variability and relatively low level of inbreeding quantitatively determined by polymorphic microsatellites in Tazys from the southern and to a lesser extent from the northern and eastern regions of Kazakhstan could be related to a large genetic variability in the foundation animals of this breed or to the metisation of the breed. The results obtained could potentially be used for the development of scientifically based breeding programmes for the management and breeding of this breed.