Microsatellite Analysis for Genetic Polymorphism and Parentage Confirmation of Arabian Horse

The intent of the research was to use microsatellite DNA typing to create a parentage testing method for Arabian horses. A large dataset of 100 animals was genotyped, including 20 mares for individual identification, 7 stallions, and 73 foals for parentage testing. Blood samples were used to extract genomic DNA, which was then examined using 14 microsatellite markers (VHL20, HTG4, AHT4, HMS7, ASB17, HTG6, AHT5, ASB23, HMS6, ASB2, HTG10, HTG7, HMS3, and HMS2). Multiplexing PCR was used as the genotyping technique, and it showed effective amplification across all targeted loci. A mean value of 6.36 was found in Arabian horses, with a range of 4 to 8 alleles per locus. The 14 microsatellite loci had a total exclusion probability of 0.9998 with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.548 to 0.831 (mean 0.699). Interestingly, the loci for ASB2, ASB17, ASB23, HMS7, and HTG10 showed comparatively increased polymorphic information content (PIC) values (> 0.7). The Mendelian compatibility criteria were used to qualify the foals, confirming the accuracy of the DNA typing technique for Arabian horse identification and parentage confirmation. These results highlight the great potential of microsatellite DNA typing to improve pedigree management and verification in breeding operations for Arabian horses.