Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40307691›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2025

Comprehensive genomic analysis of genetic diversity, body size, and origins of the Hetian Gray donkey.

Yuan-Yuan Li, Yu Liu, Shu-Qin Liu, Yu-Gang He, Xiao-Ran Lin, Ying Li, Tao Yang, Mo Feng, He-Tong Zhang, Xin-Yu Wang and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Yuan-Yuan LiCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Yu LiuCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Shu-Qin LiuCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
Yu-Gang HeCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Xiao-Ran LinBeijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, Beijing, 100107, China.
Ying LiUniversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
Tao YangCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Mo FengCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
He-Tong ZhangCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Xin-Yu WangCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Ru-Yu YaoCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Meng-Han ZhouCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Chun-Jiang ZhaoCollege of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China. cjzhao@cau.edu.cn.

Funding

Donkey Innovation Team of Shandong Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System SDAIT-27the Beijing Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Livestock and Poultry Z171100002217072the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University IRT1191the Project on the Third National Survey of the Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources 19221073the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Agriculture 201003075
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Hetian Gray donkey, characterized by its large stature and gray coat color, is a relatively recently identified breed. This breed plays an important role in local agricultural practices and cultural heritage. However, with the widespread adoption of mechanization, its use as a draft animal has gradually diminished. Additionally, the insufficient development of its meat and milk products has contributed to a continuous decline in its population, making its conservation increasingly urgent. Despite its significance, research on the origin and ancestral composition of the Hetian Gray donkey remains limited, which is essential for developing effective conservation strategies. To address this, whole-genome resequencing data of 208 donkeys from seven Chinese indigenous donkey breeds, Equus africanus somaliensis, and Equus kiang were analyzed to investigate the relationships between the Hetian Gray donkey and other breeds in the present study. The findings of this study will provide valuable scientific evidence for preserving the genetic diversity and unique characteristics of the Hetian Gray donkey.

resultsThe analysis revealed that wild donkeys had no significant impact on the formation of the Hetian Gray donkey. Among the breeds studied, the Xinjiang donkey and the Guanzhong donkey exhibit the closest genetic affinity with the Hetian Gray donkeys. Additionally, genome-wide selection signature analysis between the Hetian Gray donkey and the Xinjiang donkey identified positive selection for genes associated with body size traits.

conclusionIn summary, the results confirm that geographical distance plays a crucial role in determining the genetic relationships among the Hetian Gray donkey and other populations. The Xinjiang donkey and the Guanzhong donkey played an important role in the formation of the Hetian Gray donkey, and genes related to body size were positively selected during development of the breed.

Indexed as

Body SizeEquidaeGenetic VariationGenomicsAnimalsBreedingPhylogenySelection, GeneticWhole Genome SequencingGenome resequencingHetian Gray donkeyOriginPopulation genetic structureSelection signature

Identifiers

PMID40307691
PMCPMC12042642

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.