Inference of admixture in the endangered Blanca Cacereña bovine breed by microsatellite analyses

Blanca Cacereña cattle is the most threatened Spanish bovine breed. Although a Conservation Plan, exists, the little reproductive success and some chromosome abnormality were observed in the breed making it advisable to extend the genetic basis of the animals opening up the recorded herd book to new animals from local farms. However, the crossing with meat breeds like Charolais cattle is used to improve the commercial product. We used 30 microsatellites to determine the Charolais genetic influence in the current herds by the identification of the hybrids and to recognize new “purebred” animals in the “Blanca Cacereña” population. Blood samples were taken from animals of Blanca Cacereña bovine breed (112 animals with pedigree and 68 without pedigree), Charolais breed (60 animals) as a breed used commercially in crosses with Blanca Cacereña, and Retinta breed (60 animals) as a reference population. STRUCTURE analyses were performed with or without prior population information to assign individuals to breed, identifying admixed individuals, and inferring their ancestry. We have found that 37/68 animals without pedigree were purebred. Our results will be useful to manage a conservation plan of the breed, preserving the characteristic genetic pool and avoiding its extinction.