Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LX
Written by Gheorghe HRINCĂ
The study makes an analysis of the genetic diversity (d) in the Romanian sheep breeds (Palas Merino, Tsigai, Tsurcana and Botosani Karakul) using a concept of informational statistics termed the informational energy (e) which measures very precisely the genetic heritage of the taxonomic entities than by common indicators of mathematical statistics (allelic frequency analysis, significance testing etc.). The informational-statistical quantification of genetic diversity used the allelic frequencies within three genetic system types in the calculus algorithm: five biochemical-genetic systems (haemoglobin, transferrin, albumin, amylase, blood potassium), six immunogenetic systems (blood group systems A, B, C, D, M, R-O) and seven genetic-molecular systems (¬-lactoglobulin, calpastatin, s1-casein, prion, SLS, Booroola, Inverdale). The accuracy of the new approach on the genetic diversity resides from a complex analysis of the allele number, their frequencies, inter allelic ratio and genetic polymorphism degree within each system. The paper describes the genetic diversity levels both within each system, as well as in associated systems, and highlights the genetic diversity differences among the Romanian sheep breeds in relation to the systemic parameters mentioned. Also, some comments are made about the heterozygosity degree of sheep breeds in corroboration with genetic diversity. Finally, the paper argues the importance of genetic diversity measured in terms of informational statistics for improvement and conservation programs in the field of farm animal breeding, but makes clarifications also about the danger that comes from increasing the diversity at some loci associated with genetic diseases.
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