Cendron F, Mastrangelo S, Tolone M, Perini F, Lasagna E, Cassandro M
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo 90128 Palermo, PA, Italy.
Poult Sci. 2021 Feb;100(2):441-451. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.10.023. Epub 2020 Nov 16.
The aim of this study was to conduct a genome-wide comparative analysis of 8 local Italian chicken breeds (Ermellinata di Rovigo, Millefiori di Lonigo [PML], Polverara Bianca, Polverara Nera, Padovana, Pepoi [PPP], Robusta Lionata, and Robusta Maculata), all under a conservation plan, to understand their genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 152 animals were analyzed using the Affymetrix Axiom 600 K Chicken Genotyping Array. The levels of genetic diversity were highest and lowest in PML and PPP, respectively. The results of genomic inbreeding based on runs of homozygosity (ROH; F) showed marked differences among breeds and ranged from 0.161 (PML) to 0.478 (PPP). Furthermore, in all breeds, short ROH (<4 Mb in length) were more frequent than long segments. Patterns of genetic differentiation, model-based clustering, and neighbor networks showed that most breeds formed nonoverlapping clusters and were clearly separate populations. The 2 Polverara breeds shared a similar genetic background and showed the lowest genetic differentiation in comparison with purebred lines; the local populations showed separated groups. PPP and PML were closer to the group of the purebred broiler lines (BRSA, BRSB, BRDA, and BRDB). Six genomic regions are presented as hotspots of autozygosity among the Italian chicken breeds, with candidate genes involved in multiple morphological phenotypes as breast muscle, muscle dry matter content, and body weight. This study is the first exhaustive genome-wide analysis of the diversity of these Italian local chickens from Veneto region. We conclude that breeds have conserved authentic genetic patterns. The results are of significant importance because they will help design and implement conservation strategies. In fact, the conservation of these breeds may also have positive impacts on the local economy, niche traditional markets, and offering a source of high-quality products to consumers. In this context, genomic information may play a crucial role in the management of local breeds.
本研究的目的是对8个意大利本地鸡品种（罗维戈的埃梅利纳塔、洛尼戈的千花鸡[PML]、白波尔韦拉、黑波尔韦拉、帕多瓦纳、佩波伊[PPP]、强壮狮纹鸡和强壮斑纹鸡）进行全基因组比较分析，这些品种均处于保护计划之下，以了解它们的遗传多样性和种群结构。使用Affymetrix Axiom 600K鸡基因分型芯片对总共152只动物进行了分析。遗传多样性水平在PML中最高，在PPP中最低。基于纯合子片段（ROH；F）的基因组近亲繁殖结果显示，各品种之间存在显著差异，范围从0.161（PML）到0.478（PPP）。此外，在所有品种中短ROH（长度<4 Mb）比长片段更常见。遗传分化模式、基于模型的聚类和邻接网络表明，大多数品种形成了不重叠的聚类，是明显不同的种群。两个波尔韦拉品种具有相似的遗传背景，与纯种品系相比显示出最低的遗传分化；本地种群呈现出不同的群体。PPP和PML与纯种肉鸡品系（BRSA、BRSB、BRDA和BRDB）的群体更接近。六个基因组区域被列为意大利鸡品种中纯合性的热点区域，其中的候选基因涉及多种形态学表型，如胸肌、肌肉干物质含量和体重。本研究是对威尼托地区这些意大利本地鸡多样性进行的首次详尽的全基因组分析。我们得出结论，这些品种保留了真实的遗传模式。这些结果具有重要意义，因为它们将有助于设计和实施保护策略。事实上，这些品种的保护也可能对当地经济、小众传统市场产生积极影响，并为消费者提供高质量产品的来源。在这种情况下，基因组信息可能在本地品种的管理中发挥关键作用。
