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Bulletin of the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University

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Economic significance of genetic diversity of Kyrgyz Mountain Merino sheep based on STR analysis of nuclear DNA

T Tyrgoot Chortonbaev Z Zhainagul Isakova E Elvira Mambetova E Esenbek Belek uulu M Meyrimgul Baytemir
Received 14.04.2025
Revised 02.08.2025
Published 10.09.2025

Abstract

Preserving and assessing the genetic diversity of farm animals is one of the key tasks for sustainable development in the agricultural sector. This paper examined the economic significance of genetic diversity in Kyrgyz Mountain Merino (KMM) sheep based on an analysis of nuclear DNA variability using microsatellite markers (STR). The aim of the study was to determine the level of heterozygosity, inbreeding coefficients and allele richness in KMM compared to related fine-wool sheep breeds from Russia, Kazakhstan, Poland and Pakistan, as well as to determine their significance for breeding programmes and the economic sustainability of the industry. The methodological basis of the study included molecular genetic analysis of 12 STR markers, statistical evaluation of genetic parameters, and comparison of the results with international databases. It was found that the level of observed heterozygosity in KMM (Ho = 0.70) exceeds that of Russian (0.66), Polish (0.64) and Pakistani (0.65) fine-wool sheep. Kazakh breeds show similar values (0.68), but are characterised by a higher inbreeding coefficient (FIS = 0.06), which indicates a tendency towards a decrease in genetic diversity. In contrast, the inbreeding coefficient for KMM was only 0.03, indicating a balanced population structure. The results of the study confirmed that the preservation of the genetic diversity of the KMM breed is not only biologically but also economically important: higher genetic variability ensures adaptability to changing climatic conditions, increases productivity and reduces the costs of veterinary and breeding measures. Thus, the integration of genetic monitoring into the economic management of sheep breeding is a necessary condition for the sustainable development and competitiveness of KMM products in domestic and foreign markets

Keywords

sheep breeding in Kyrgyzstan; STR markers; molecular genetic analysis; population stability; genetic polymorphism; biotechnology in animal husbandry
Suggested citation
Chortonbaev, T., Isakova, Zh., Mambetova, E., Belek uulu, E., & Baytemir, M. (2025). Economic significance of genetic diversity of Kyrgyz Mountain Merino sheep based on STR analysis of nuclear DNA. Bulletin of the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University, 23(3), 38-50. https://doi.org/10.63621/bknau./3.2025.38

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