Microsatellite DNA typing using 16 markers for parentage verification of the Korean native horse

This study was performed for parentage verification of the Korean native horse (KNH). 103 random KNH samples (including 19 foals for parentage testing) were genotyped by using 16 microsatellite markers. The number of alleles per locus varied from 5 to 13 with an average value of 8.56 in the KNH. The observed heterozygosity and the expected heterozygosity ranged 0.398-0.893 (the average value was 0.683) and 0.368-0.871 (the average value was 0.727) in the KNH, respectively. The PIC value and the exclusion probability ranged 0.347-0.853 (the average value was 0.692) and 0.208-0.736, respectively, and the total exclusion probability of 16 microsatellite loci was 0.9999. Of the 16 markers, AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, ASB17, HMS2, HMS3, HTG10, LEX33, TKY321 and VHL20 loci have a relatively high PIC value (>0.7) in the KNH. Of the 19 foals, 5 foals were disqualified by an incompatibility of 4-7 markers according to a Mendelian fashion in the present DNA typing for parentage testing. These results present basic information for developing a system for parentage verification and individual identification in the KNH.