Genome-Wide SNP Analysis Reveals the Unique Genetic Diversity Represented by Fat-Tailed Coarse-Wooled Sheep Breeds of Kazakhstan

<b>Background:</b> The fat-tailed coarse-wooled sheep breeds exhibit excellent reproductive performance, exceptional adaptability to pasture conditions, and high precocity, contributing to enhanced meat, fat, and wool productivity in sheep breeding. Despite the significant role of these sheep breeds in Kazakhstan's livestock production, their genetics remain poorly studied. This raises concerns about the potential loss of unique, breed-specific traits that could be important for the future development and resilience of Kazakh stan's sheep farming sector. This study aimed to analyze genome-wide genotyping SNP data of local fat-tailed coarse-wooled sheep breeds (Kazakh fat-tailed coarse-wooled, Edilbay, and Gissar) to reveal their genetic diversity, breed characteristics, and phylogenetic relationships with worldwide domestic sheep breeds and wild sheep. <b>Methods:</b> The OvineSNP50 Genotyping BeadChip was used to obtain genome-wide SNP genotyping data from 160 fat-tailed coarse-wooled sheep from Kazakhstan. Population structure analysis, principal component analysis, phylogenetic and the maximum likelihood tree analysis were performed in comparison with foreign domestic sheep breeds and wild sheep populations. <b>Results:</b> Kazakh breeds exhibited high genetic diversity, with Edilbay showing the greatest allelic richness. PCA and Admixture revealed clear differentiation among the three breeds: Edilbay and Gissar formed homogeneous clusters, while Kazakh fat-tailed coarse-wooled sheep displayed admixture and substructure. Evidence of gene flow from Edilbay into other Kazakh populations supports its role as a genetic source for regional breeds. Phylogenetic analysis placed Kazakhstani sheep close to other Central Asian breeds, while clearly distinct from East Asian and European populations. Wild sheep (Argali and Urial) formed separate clades, with Kerman wild sheep clustering closer to Urial. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results highlight the value of genotyping data for studying genetic diversity and population structure. Developing genetic resources for Kazakhstan's native sheep breeds will help preserve their unique diversity and ensure it remains available for future use in breeding and adaptation efforts.