Local cattle breeds are popular in Myanmar because they make excellent draught animals, so it is of fundamental importance that their genetic diversities and population structures are elucidated for breeding and conservation purposes. In this study, we characterized the genetic diversities and population structures of four popular Myanmar local cattle breeds and five native cattle populations from neighboring countries (Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) using the GGP Bovine 50K array. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity estimates using pruned datasets ranged from 0.317 and 0.322, respectively, in Cambodia to 0.448 and 0.421, respectively, in Vietnam South. The four Myanmar local breeds exhibited similar levels of genetic diversity. However, AMOVA revealed significant genetic differentiation among the nine populations (p < 0.00001), and Neighbor‐Net analysis showed that Shan Ngwar Pu was distinct from the other Myanmar local breeds. Furthermore, PCA and population structure analyses revealed that the native cattle from neighboring countries genetically influenced the Myanmar local breeds to some extent and that the genetic origins could also be observed in the local breeds. These findings highlight the importance of Myanmar local breeds as genetic resources and provide useful information for the future development of breeding strategies and conservation management plans.

In the present study, we developed indel markers in domestic cattle. We selected each one indel of 29 autosomes in the dbSNP database and genotyped 29 indels using 16 individuals from Bos taurus and Bos indicus. PCR amplification and polymorphism were observed in 26 indel markers. Out of the 26 indel markers, we genotyped polymorphic 8 indels with clear band detected by agarose gel in 11 cattle populations (4 Bos indicus populations : native cattle in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos and Bhutan. 7 Bos taurus populations : native cattle in Mongolia and Kazakhstan, and cattle breeds of Hanwoo, Japanese Black, Japanese Holstein, Angus and Hereford) and investigated genetic structure, relationships and diversity in 11 cattle populations. Genetic index of average gene diversity over loci showed higher genetic diversity in Mongolian (0.337) and Kazakhstani (0.379) native cattle than the other populations. Bos indicus populations (0.172-0.241) and Japanese Black (0.217) indicated relatively low genetic diversity. UPGMA-tree and the PC1 (58.3%) of principal component analysis clearly distinguished between Bos taurus and Bos indicus populations. In the STRUCTURE analysis, the maximum likelihood estimation is shown at K ＝ 4. In addition, at K ≧ 4, Mongolian and Kazakhstani native cattle showed genetic admixture derived from multi-ancestors. These two countries are located in Eurasian Steps with Silk Road and Step Road, suggesting genetic exchange between cattle populations through trade routes. In conclusion, a set of 8 indel markers revealed well genetic structure and relationships based on breed histories and geographical locations. Nihon Chikusan Gakkaiho 89 (3), 313-321, 2018

Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country and contains two important propagation routes for livestock from the Fertile Crescent to Asia. Therefore, genetic information about Kazakhstani cattle can be important for understanding the propagation history and the genetic admixture in Central Asian cattle. In the present study, we analyzed the complete mtDNA D‐loop sequence and SRY gene polymorphism in 122 Kazakhstani native cattle. The D‐loop sequences revealed 79 mitochondrial haplotypes, with the major haplogroups T and I. The Bos taurus subhaplogroups consisted of T (3.3%), T1 (2.5%), T2 (2.5%), and T4 (0.8%) in addition to the predominant subhaplogroup T3 (86.9%), and the Bos indicus subhaplogroup of I1 (4.1%). Subsequently, we investigated the paternal lineages of Bos taurus and Bos indicus, however, all Kazakhstani cattle were shown to have Y chromosome of Bos taurus origin. While highly divergent mtDNA subhaplogroups in Kazakhstani cattle could be due to the geographical proximity of Kazakhstan with the domestication center of the Fertile Crescent, the absence of Bos indicus Y chromosomes could be explained by a decoupling of the introgression dynamics of maternal and paternal lineages. This genetic information would contribute to understanding the genetic diversity and propagation history of cattle in Central Asia.