Most modern horse breeds can originate from the East

Analysis of the Y chromosomes of 50 horses, including 21 varieties, shows that most modern horses originated from the East brought to Europe during the past 700 years.

Barbara Wallner, a researcher at the Veterinary University of Vienna, said: "In addition to the breeds of Nordic breeds, all modern breeds of horses discovered are from the East. Our data has shed light on how the current big horse breeding - characterized by the choice of strong male horses and imports of breeds from Eastern horses - for hundreds of years to obtain chromosomes Medicine variety ".

It is known that the Y chromosome reveals the genome in male lineage - DNA is transmitted from father to child. When random genetic mutations accumulate over time, these mutations are transmitted along the male line. Therefore, this mutant path can help scientists determine the ancestral origins of modern stallions.

Wallner said: "Males from ancestors will share a particular set of Y chromosome mutations over time."

There is very little genetic diversity found between Y chromosomes in modern horses, but improved genetic sequencing technologies can make this arrangement possible. is determined immediately even though the smallest changes.

The horse was first domesticated about 5,000 years ago. But when the latest genetic analysis, revealed in Current Biology, shows that most modern breeds differ from wild relatives 700 years ago.

The group of Eastern horse breeds , related to modern horses, originated in two categories: Arabian roots from the Arabian Peninsula and Turkoman lineage from Central Asian steppes.

Thus, researchers were able to use new genetic data, as well as written historical documents, to find the origin of modern horses to find clues related to Turkoman line.

Wallner said: " Our results pave the way for a good genetic trait in rare and precious horse lines, which can be developed more diverse in the near future ."