Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Nine Local Sheep Populations Bred in the Carpathia Area of Central Europe Revealed by Microsatellite Analysis

A necessary step towards the development of genetic diversity is the protection of the valuable genetic resources of farm animals that are at risk of extinction. We analyzed 375 individuals of nine local sheep breeds bred in Central Europe (Carpathia area) from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and Romania using a panel of 13 microsatellite markers to investigate genetic differences and evaluate the genetic structure among and within breeds, thereby improving future breeding and conservation strategies. The mean number of alleles was 8.84, the mean number of effective alleles was 4.76, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.79. Diversity was measured using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) as well as genetic structure, which revealed two main clusters. The first cluster was the Czech Wallachian sheep (CVA) and the Świniarka (SWI). The second cluster consisted the Improved Wallachian sheep (IVA), the Šumava sheep (SUM), the Slovak Wallachian sheep (SVA), the Polish Mountain sheep (POG), the Uhruska sheep (UHR), the Ukrainian sheep (UKR) and the Tsurcana sheep (TUR). The values of genetic distance and the fixation coefficient indicate sufficient differences between the analyzed breeds (Gst = 0.052 and Fst = 0.063). Negative values of the inbreeding coefficient also confirmed the predominance of outbreeding (Fis = -0.015). The results obtained may be helpful in breeding programs and conservation plans for local sheep breeds, as their genetic resources must be preserved to maintain an adequate level of biodiversity in animal husbandry.