Microsatellite analysis reveals substantial genetic differentiation between contemporary New World and Old World Holstein Friesian populations

Genotypic data from 39 microsatellite loci typed in 211 animals were used to assess the genetic differentiation between Old World and New World Holstein Friesian cattle populations. Gene diversities were similar in all five Holstein Friesian populations surveyed, ranging from 0.43 to 0.48. A tree of individuals based on the proportion of shared alleles indicated a clear distinction between Old World and New World Holstein Friesian populations. Similarly, genetic differentiation between populations, as measured by FST, was highly significant. Using the split decomposition method, we were able to visualize the significant introgression of New World Holstein Friesian into European Holstein Friesian populations.