Population data of 23 Y chromosome STR loci for Kyrgyz population from Kyrgyzstan

Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) serve as essential markers in forensic genetics, population studies, and paternal lineage reconstruction due to their strict uniparental inheritance and high discriminatory power. Despite their global relevance, Central Asian populations, particularly the Kyrgyz, remain underrepresented in major Y-STR reference databases. These population data represent 23 Y-STR loci from 514 unrelated Kyrgyz males sampled from three geographically distinct regions: Northern East (<i>N</i> = 134), Northern West (<i>N</i> = 183), and Southern Kyrgyzstan (<i>N</i> = 197). Genotyping was conducted using the PowerPlex Y23 System, and the resulting dataset has been submitted to the Y Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD) to strengthen forensic and anthropological research in the region. A total of 346 unique haplotypes were identified, demonstrating high haplotype diversity (HD = 0.981-0.990) and discrimination capacity (64-70 %). AMOVA analysis indicates that the division of Kyrgyz populations into northern and southern groups does not accurately represent their genetic structure, as over 99 % of genetic variation is distributed within subpopulations, indicating weak differentiation and substantial shared paternal ancestry among the regional Kyrgyz groups. The analysis also identifies four dominant haplogroup clusters (R1a, C2a, N1, and R1b), providing valuable insights into the historical and demographic dynamics of the Kyrgyz people. This dataset enhances our understanding of Kyrgyz genetic diversity, contributes to forensic applications, and fills a critical gap in population genetic research on Central Asian lineages.