Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of HVR-I region of mtDNA in Afshari sheep breed

Due to uncontrolled crosses, the genetic purity of sheep breeds has changed. Therefore, using of genetic markers of mitochondrial sequencing is one the ways to study these changes. This experiment carried out to evaluate the diversity of HVR-I region from mtDNA in Afshari sheep breed. For conducting this study, the blood samples were collected from 20 unrelated Afshari sheep breed. After DNA extraction, this region of mtDNA was amplified with specific primers using PCR, and then the desired region was sequenced. After analyzing the data, 5 genetic haplotypes were determined in the studied population. Then the HRV-I region of Afshari breed were compared with other sheep breeds and results showed that this breed belongs to haplogroup A. The phylogenetic tree showed that this breed has the lowest genetic distance from other two Iranian sheep breeds (Balochi and Moghani). It can be concluded that Ovis orial may be the origin of Afshari and other Iranian sheep breeds.