Current Status and Conservation Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bhutan

Tenzin, Jigme; Chankitisakul, Vibuntita; Boonkum, Wuttigrai

doi:10.3390/vetsci10040281

Veterinary Sciences

2023

DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10040281

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Current Status and Conservation Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bhutan

Jigme Tenzin

Vibuntita Chankitisakul

Wuttigrai Boonkum

Abstract: Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR) ensures food security and maintains genetic diversity. The efforts to conserve FAnGR are minimal in Bhutan. In the pursuit of increasing livestock productivity, farmers are rearing livestock that narrows the range of genetic diversity. This review attempts to summarize the status of FAnGR and the efforts to conserve them. Some unique livestock breeds in Bhutan are Nublang (cattle breed), Yak, Sapha (pig breed), Yuta (horse breed), Merak-Saktenpata (horse breed), and Beloch… Show more

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Cited by 4 publications

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Managing genomic diversity in conservation programs of Chinese domestic chickens

Zhang,

Wang,

et al. 2023

Genet Sel Evol

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Background Effective conservation and utilization of farm animals are fundamental for realizing sustainable increases in food production. In situ and ex situ conservation are the two main strategies that are currently used to protect the genetic integrity of Chinese domestic chicken breeds. However, genomic diversity and population structure have not been compared in these conserved populations. Results Three hundred and sixty-one individuals from three Chinese domestic chicken breeds were collected from populations conserved in situ and ex situ and genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). First, we used different parameters based on heterozygosity, genomic inbreeding, and linkage disequilibrium to estimate the genomic diversity of these populations, and applied principal component analysis (PCA), neighbor-joining tree, and ADMIXTURE to analyze population structure. We found that the small ex situ conserved populations, which have been maintained in controlled environments, retained less genetic diversity than the in situ conserved populations. In addition, genetic differentiation was detected between the in situ and ex situ conserved populations of the same breed. Next, we analyzed signatures of selection using three statistical methods (fixation index (FST), nucleotide diversity (Pi), and cross-population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) to study the genetic footprints that underlie the differentiation between in situ and ex situ conserved populations. We concluded that, in these small populations, differentiation might be caused by genetic drift or by mutations from the original populations. The differentiation observed in the population of Beijing You chicken probably reflects adaptation to environmental changes in temperature and humidity that the animals faced when they were moved from their place of origin to the new site for ex situ conservation. Conclusions Conservation programs of three Chinese domestic chicken breeds have maintained their genomic diversity to a sustainable degree. The small ex situ conserved populations, which are maintained in controlled environments, retain less genetic diversity than populations conserved in situ. In addition, the transfer of populations from their place of origin to another site for conservation purposes results in genetic differentiation, which may be caused by genetic drift or adaptation. This study provides a basis for further optimization of in situ and ex situ conservation programs for domestic chicken breeds in China.

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Managing genomic diversity in conservation programs of Chinese domestic chickens

Zhang,

Wang,

et al. 2023

Genet Sel Evol

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Microsatellite markers application in the genetic survey of native rabbits in the Egyptian delta

Emam,

Makhlouf,

Mourad

2024

Genetika

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The human interest in exotic animal breeds in the agricultural sector led to the deterioration of local breeds. The interest in national farm animal genetic studies is important for the agriculture ecosystems under climate change challenges. Microsatellite markers are important tools to determine the genetic status of breeds, populations, and subpopulations. In this study, 28 microsatellite loci were used to investigate the genetic situation among 274 biological samples collected from the native Delta Egypt rabbits (NDER) population in the north of Egypt. They belonged to eight subpopulations (Damietta, Dakahlia, Kafr El sheikh, Beheira, Gharbia, Menoufia, Sharqia, and Qalyubia). It was found that expected heterozygosity (He) values were greater than observed heterozygosity (Ho). A total of 184 alleles were identified, with a mean of 6.571 and 4.122 as effective alleles. About 89% of microsatellite markers expressed high informative values in the polymorphism information content (PIC). The comparison among 8 NDER subpopulations showed low genetic variability parameters with high inbreeding coefficient (FIS) values in the north (Damietta, Dakahlia, Kafr El sheikh, Beheira, and Gharbia). However, values of genetic variables increased with decreasing FIS in the middle (Menoufia), east (Sharqia), and south (Qalyubia) Delta. Furthermore, the discriminant analysis principal components (DAPC) showed overlaying in the north. In the same context, the neighbor-joining tree (NJ) and heatmap showed the genetic convergence among the northern subpopulations. The analysis of STRUCTURE found 4 clusters (K= 8). The north subpopulations were in one cluster, while others in the middle, east, and south were a separate cluster for each subpopulation. Our findings show that the NDER suffers from genetic drift in the northern Delta subpopulations. On the contrary, the south, east, and middle subpopulations showed more genetic variability. A strategy of correct mating should be fostered to improve the genetic traits of rabbits.

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Genomic insights into adaptation and inbreeding among Sub-Saharan African cattle from pastoral and agropastoral systems

Akinsola,

Musa,

Muansangi

et al. 2024

Front. Genet.

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BackgroundIn Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), cattle are crucial for socioeconomic stability yet face numerous environmental stressors such as diseases, parasites, and extreme heat within pastoral and agropastoral systems. Despite their significance, gaps remain in understanding how genetic diversity and inbreeding influence traits essential for disease resistance and environmental adaptability. This study examines the genomic adaptations that enable SSA cattle to thrive under these conditions and assesses the impact of inbreeding on such adaptive traits.MethodsWe analyzed genomic data from 113 cattle across four breeds—Kuri, N’dama, Zebu-Fulani, and Zebu-Bororo—employing Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) and Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) analyses to identify historical and recent genetic selections. Strict quality controls using PLINK software ensured accurate genomic pattern identification related to adaptation and inbreeding.ResultsROH analysis revealed islands with genes such as RSAD2, CMPK2, and NOTCH1, which are involved in immune response and cellular stress management, highlighting regions of historical selection that have likely provided adaptive advantages in overcoming environmental and pathogenic stresses. In contrast, iHS analysis identified genes under recent selection like HIPK1, involved in stress response regulation, and EPHA5, which plays a crucial role in neural development and synaptic functions, potentially equipping these breeds with novel adaptations to ongoing and emergent environmental challenges.ConclusionThis research confirms that selective pressures inherent in pastoral and agropastoral systems profoundly influence the genetic structure of SSA cattle. By delineating the genetic bases of key adaptive traits, our study offers crucial insights for targeted breeding programs to enhance cattle resilience and productivity. These findings provide a valuable framework for future genetic improvements and conservation strategies, crucial for sustainable livestock management and economic stability in SSA.

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Current Status and Conservation Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Bhutan

Cited by 4 publications

References 39 publications

Managing genomic diversity in conservation programs of Chinese domestic chickens

Managing genomic diversity in conservation programs of Chinese domestic chickens

Microsatellite markers application in the genetic survey of native rabbits in the Egyptian delta

Genomic insights into adaptation and inbreeding among Sub-Saharan African cattle from pastoral and agropastoral systems

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