title: Genetic diversity of Halla horses using microsatellite markers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently about 26,000 horses are breeding in Korea and 57.2% (14,776 horses) of them are breeding in Jeju island. According to the statistics published in 2010, the horses breeding in Jeju island are subdivided into Jeju horse (6.1%), Thoroughbred (18.8%) and Halla horse (75.1%). Halla horses are defined as a crossbreed between Jeju and Thoroughbred horses and are used for horse racing, horse riding and horse meat production. However, little research has been conducted on Halla horses because of the perception of crossbreed and people's weighted interest toward Jeju horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 17 Microsatellite (MS) Markers recommended by International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG), genomic DNAs were extracted from the hair roots of 3,880 Halla horses breeding in Korea and genetic diversity was identified by genotyping after PCR was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In average, 10.41 alleles (from 6 alleles in HTG7 to 17 alleles in ASB17) were identified after the analysis using 17 MS Markers. The mean value of Hobswas 0.749 with a range from 0.612(HMS1) to 0.857(ASB2). Also, it was found that Hexpand PIC values were lowest in HMS1 (0.607 and 0.548, respectively), and highest in LEX3(0.859 and 0.843, respectively), and the mean value of Hexpwas 0.760 and that of PIC was 0.728. 17 MS markers used in this studies were considered as appropriate markers for the polymorphism analysis of Halla horses. The frequency for the appearance of identical individuals was 5.90 × 10-20when assumed as random mating population and when assumed as half-sib and full-sib population, frequencies were 4.08 × 10-15and 3.56 × 10-8, respectively. Based on these results, the 17 MS markers can be used adequately for the Individual Identification and Parentage Verification of Halla horses. Remarkably, allele M and Q of ASB23 marker, G of HMS2 marker, H and L of HTG6 marker, L of HTG7 marker, E of LEX3 marker were the specific alleles unique to Halla horses.
authors.affiliation: Genomic Informatics Center, Hankyong National University, Anseong, 17579 Korea ; Department of Genomic Informatics, Graduate School of Future Convergence Technology, Hankyong National University, Anseong, 456-749 Korea.
authors.forename: Joo-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.affiliation: ChonBuk National University, Jeonju, 54896 Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Do
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: ChonBuk National University, Jeonju, 54896 Korea.
authors.forename: Hak-Kyo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Genomic Informatics Center, Hankyong National University, Anseong, 17579 Korea ; Department of Genomic Informatics, Graduate School of Future Convergence Technology, Hankyong National University, Anseong, 456-749 Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Sik
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1144-016X
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kong
keywords: Allele frequency; Halla Horse; Microsatellite marker; Polymorphism