Inference of admixture in the endangered Blanca Cacerecla bovine breed by microsatellite analyses

摘要

Blanca Cacerecla cattle is the most threatened Spanish bovine breed. Although a Conservation Plan, exists, the little reproductive success and some chromosome abnormality were observed in the breed making it advisable to extend the genetic basis of the animals opening up the recorded herd book to new animals from local farms. However, the crossing with meat breeds like Charolais cattle is used to improve the commercial product. We used 30 microsatellites to determine the Charolais genetic influence in the current herds by the identification of the hybrids and to recognize new purebred animals in the Blanca Cacerecla population. Blood samples were taken from animals of Blanca Cacerecla bovine breed (112 animals with pedigree and 68 without pedigree), Charolais breed (60 animals) as a breed used commercially in crosses with Blanca Cacerecla, and Retinta breed (60 animals) as a reference population. STRUCTURE analyses were performed with or without prior population information to assign individuals to breed, identifying admixed individuals, and inferring their ancestry. We have found that 37/68 animals without pedigree were purebred. Our results will be useful to manage a conservation plan of the breed, preserving the characteristic genetic pool and avoiding its extinction.