Genetic markers on the male sex chromosome, the Y-chromosome, provide useful information for tracing male genealogies. Stallion lines play an important role in horse breeding, and most horse breeds origin paternally from few male founders. In this project we aim to establish Y-chromosomal markers specific for the stallion lines of Austrian horse breeds (Lipizzan, Noriker, Haflinger, Shagya Arab and Austrian Warmblood) by screening large regions of the Y-chromosome with Next Generation Sequencing technology. The data from this project will enable insight into the paternal relationship and the origin of founder stallions. Further the data should deliver fundamental information for breeding decisions concerning the preservation of stallion lines. |