Genetic Diversity of Benin Cattle Populations Using Microsatellite Markers

The genetic characteristics of cattle breeds of Benin are little known. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of major cattle breeds of Benin. For this purpose, blood samples from 179 cattle including 31 Girolando, 30 White Fulani cattle, 31 Borgou, 31 Lagunaire, 43 Somba and 13 crossbreed Azawak x Lagunaire were characterized using 12 microsatellites markers. All used microsatellites were polymorphic within each breed of cattle. The TGLA53 marker presented the highest number of alleles (15) in the Borgou cattle while the lowest number of alleles (2) was found at the INRA 63 locus for crossbreed Azawak x Lagunaire. The observed heterozygosity rates ranged from 0.79 to 0.57 in Girolando and Somba populations respectively. The highest expected heterozygosity rates were observed in the Girolando cattle population (0.79) while the the lowest (0.63) was encountered in Lagunaire and Somba populations. The lowest value of the differentiation indice between population pairs (0.084) was observed between Borgou and White Fulani cattle. Genetic structure analysis clustered Somba and Lagunaire cattle breeds while White Fulani and Borgou cattle breeds were very close. The crossbreed populations (Borgou and Azawak x Lagunaire) were between taurine and zebu. However, taurine were introgressed (20% on average) by the zebu blood. This study is a basic information in undertaking a conservation program and/or for support in the elaboration of a genetic improvement program for local cattle breeds of Benin