Background and Aim: The Ukrainian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) represents a small, geographically isolated population with limited genetic characterization. Such demographic constraints increase the risk of reduced genetic variability and inbreeding, potentially compromising long-term sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and allelic structure of the Ukrainian water buffalo population using standardized microsatellite markers recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization–International Society for Animal Genetics (FAO–ISAG).
Materials and Methods: A total of 30 clinically healthy buffaloes from a major breeding nucleus in Ukraine were analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples and genotyped using seven short tandem repeat loci (BM1818, BM1824, BM2113, ETH10, ETH225, INRA023, and TGLA053). Allele frequencies and key population genetic parameters, including number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), polymorphism information content (PIC), and inbreeding coefficient (FIS), were calculated using GenAlEx software.
Results: Five loci were polymorphic, while ETH10 and ETH225 were monomorphic. A total of 13 alleles were identified, with mean Na = 1.86 and Ne = 1.37. The average Ho (0.179) and He (0.196) indicated low genetic diversity within the population. INRA023 (He = 0.500; PIC = 0.375) and BM1824 (He = 0.413; PIC = 0.328) were the most informative markers. Most loci exhibited negative or near-zero FIS values, suggesting slight heterozygote excess; however, TGLA053 showed a high FIS (1.000), indicating heterozygote deficiency and potential inbreeding effects. Comparative analysis revealed substantially lower heterozygosity than other global buffalo populations, highlighting pronounced genetic differentiation.
Conclusion: The Ukrainian water buffalo population demonstrates reduced genetic diversity, a limited allelic pool, and evidence of genetic isolation. These findings emphasize the urgent need for conservation strategies, including controlled introduction of unrelated breeding lines and continuous genetic monitoring using molecular markers. Such interventions are essential to enhance genetic variability, maintain adaptive potential, and ensure long-term population sustainability.
