Evaluation of Maternal Genetic Background of Two Hungarian Autochthonous Sheep Breeds Coming from Different Geographical Directions

Abstract

The aim of our research was the evaluation of the maternal genetic background of two Hungarian autochthonous sheep breeds of different geographical origin. A major argument for the preservation of endangered animal breeds is their documented past and historical importance. These also include the registration of pedigree data. This is the first study to evaluate and compare Tsigai and Cikta sheep in Hungary. Our investigation is based on two complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b gene and control region). Our research was performed on these two sheep breeds with markedly different breed histories and breed characteristics to determine a possible common maternal genetic background, as ultimately the origins of both breeds can be traced back to Asia Minor. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 203 biological samples were taken using a newly introduced founder sampling method. We found that the prevailing haplogroup B accounted for over 80% of both breeds, strengthening the common ancestral root. However, the pairwise genetic differentiation estimates (KST) calculated using the sequence-based statistics for cytochrome b gene and control region were 0.034 and 0.021, respectively (both at level p < 0.05); thus, revealing genetic differentiation in both sequences between the Tsigai and Cikta. We note that the known different history of the breeds is clearly justified by the currently studied deviations in their maternal genetic background.

Maternal diversity of the Yellow-faced sheep of Kecskemét based on the mtDNA control region

“…Urial and Argali, included as out-groups, as distant relatives of the domestic sheep, are clearly separated from all of them. HIENDLEDER et al, 2002), as well as the most common haplotypes of Tsigai, Cikta (KOVÁCS et al, 2020;GÁSPÁRDY et al, 2021) andPolled Racka (GÁSPÁRDY et al, 2022). The capital letters indicate the haplogroups, while the colours associated with the letters indicate that which individual belongs to the given haplogroup.…”

“…The samples were sorted into haplogroups based on the GenBank reference samples (HIENDLEDER et al, 2002;MEADOWS et al, 2005). Furthermore, we also selected a common representative haplotype sequence for each haplogroup from the samples of the Hungarian indigenous sheep breeds that we have typified so far (Cikta, Tsigai and Lowland Polled Racka) (KOVÁCS et al, 2020;GÁSPÁRDY et al, 2021 and.…”

“…In our case, haplogroup A appeared with a lower frequency (4.10%). In the case of Cikta and Polled Racka sheep, the proportion of haplogroup A is 12% and 14%, respectively(KOVÁCS et al, 2020;GÁSPÁRDY et al, 2022), while this haplogroup is also present in Tsigai, but much less typically (3%)(GÁSPÁRDY et al, 2021). The haplogroup B is also dominant in the Western Balkan Pramenka sheep(ĆINKULOV et al, 2008), Dubrovnik Ruda sheep and Istrian sheep (…”

Genetic variation and demographic history of Sudan desert sheep reveal two diversified lineages

“…Recent analysis of the control region of mitochondrial DNA (D loop) in 11 indigenous Indian sheep breeds revealed the presence of maternal haplogroups A, B, and C as well as evidence of population expansion [31]. In contrast, in the Mediterranean region and eastern Europe, haplogroups A, B, and C were reported in three sheep breeds from Egypt and two from Italy [32], as well as in two breeds from Hungary [33], with the absence of haplogroups D and E. However, haplogroup D was found in 2.2% of seven Italian sheep breeds, according to [34].…”