The study characterized genetic diversity and genetic structure of five indigenous pig populations (Ha Lang, Muong Te, Mong Cai, Lung and Lung Pu), two wild pig populations (Vietnamese and Thai wild pigs) and an exotic pig breed (Yorkshire) using FAO/ISAG recommended 16 microsatellite markers in 236 samples. All estimated loci were very polymorphic indicated by high values of polymorphism information content (from 0.76 in S0225 to 0.92 in Sw2410). Indigenous populations had very high level of genetic diversity (mean He = 0.75); of all indigenous breeds, Lung Pu showed highest mean number of alleles (MNA = 10.1), gene diversity (He = 0.82), allele richness (5.33) and number of private alleles (10). Thirteen percentage of the total genetic variation observed was due to differences among populations. The neighbour-joining dendrogram obtained from Nei's standard genetic distance differentiated eight populations into four groups including Yorkshire, two wild populations, Mong Cai population and a group of four other indigenous populations. The Bayesian clustering with the admixture model implemented in Structure 2.1 indicated seven possible homogenous clusters among eight populations. From 79% (Ha Lang) to 98% (Mong Cai). individuals in indigenous pigs were assigned to their own populations. The results confirmed high level of genetic diversity and shed a new light on genetic structure of Vietnam indigenous pig populations.

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Vietnam is known for having a variety of unique livestock genetic resources. In the case of pig breeds, the northern part of Vietnam is considered to be one of its domestication sites (Larson et al., 2010; Ramos-Onsins, Burgos-Paz, Manunza, & Amills, 2014). According to previous reports (Dang-Nguyen et al., 2016), there are around 26 indigenous domesticated pig breeds held in Vietnam. Generally, native pigs have been adapted to the environment from which they are originated (Mignon-Grasteaua et al., 2005). Vietnam's climate varies from a temperate climate with four seasons, which are in the northern mountain region, to tropical monsoon with two seasons (rainy and dry) (Nguyen, Renwick, & McGregor, 2014). Therefore, Vietnamese native pig (VNP) breeds also would have unique genes for adopting their habitations and have a potential for the rich genetic resources as future breeding materials. However, several breeds of VNPs have been threatened with extinction or already extinct. One of the reasons is that productivity of the VNP breeds is less than those of Western commercial breeds, like Landrace or Large White, and so the big farmers do not have interest in rearing the VNP breeds, leading to extensive inbreeding due to limited population size. In addition, crossbreeding with exogenous commercial breeds has been quickly progressing in some

The study aimed to characterize genetic diversity, genetic clusters, and phylogenetic relationships of 15 Vietnamese indigenous pig breeds across the country for supporting the decision making of the conservation strategies. For this purpose, 638 samples from the breeds together with two wild pig breeds and an exotic breed were genotyped with 19 microsatellite markers recommended from FAO/ISAG for diversity studies. The higher genetic diversity was observed for indigenous breeds (mean He = 0.67) and wild breeds (mean He = 0.74); the indigenous CoAluoi breed compared the out-breed Landrace (He = 0.59). Fifteen percent of the genetic variation came from differences among breeds. The unrooted neighbor-joining dendrogram obtained from Nei's genetic distances showed three nodes with 100% supported bootstrap values. The first node included the three indigenous breeds (Hung, LungPu, and MuongKhuong), the second node included the indigenous BaXuyen and the exotic Landrace, and the third node included the two wild Thailand and Vietnam pig breeds. The discriminant analysis of principal component (DAPC) of 18 studied breeds resulted in 12 genetic clusters. Unlike the other indigenous breeds, the BaXuyen was in the same genetic cluster with the exotic Landrace-which agreed with the 100% bootstrap value of their node-so the BaXuyen should not be conserved. The five indigenous pig breeds-Huong, VanPa, Soc, ChuProng, and CoAluoi-were assigned to their own clusters, which agreed with the low supported bootstrap values of their nodes. These five breeds should be in the high conservation priority. Finally, the 9 indigenous pig breeds (MuongKhuong, LungPu, Hung, TapNa, MongCai, HaLang, Lung, Meo, and Ban breeds) formed four genetic admixture structures. These results suggest the conservation strategies should be built based on from five to nine pig groups thus reducing the cost of conservation whereas still remaining the genetic diversity of the studied breeds.

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Mastitis is one of the most widespread diseases in dairy cows and causes huge losses for the dairy industry. Molecular markers can be used for the quick diagnosis of mastitis infection, consequently reducing the loss caused by this disease. Lactoferrin (LTF) and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) have been suggested as candidate genes for mastitis; however, their associations with the mastitis incidence and milk components have not been reported in Vietnamese Holstein cows. This study examined the association of TLR2 and LTF polymorphisms with subclinical mastitis and milk components in the Holstein breed raised in Vietnam. Among 192 samples, we identified 44 mastitis-positive samples (22.92%). The mastitis significantly reduced the fat and lactose components in milk (p < 0.001) but increased the protein concentration in milk. A total of 94 (49%) and 98 (51%) cows had AA and AB genotypes for the LTF gene, respectively. No significant association was found between the LTF genotypes and the milk component traits or mastitis incidence (p > 0.05). The interaction between LTF and mastitis incidence was significantly associated with the protein percentage (p = 0.01). A total of 78, 76, and 38 cows had genotypes GG, GT, and TT for the TLR2 gene, respectively. TLR2 genotypes were not significantly associated with mastitis incidence (p > 0.05) but were significantly associated with pH value (p = 0.03). The interaction between TLR2 and mastitis incidence was significantly associated with the fat (p = 0.02) and protein percentage (p = 0.04). Further studies are required to confirm the roles of LTF and TFL2 in mastitis in the Holstein breed in Vietnam.