OBJECTIVETo clarify the distribution of genetic polymorphism of D3S1358, D13S317, D5S818, D6S1043, D2S1772, D7S3048 loci of the Mongolian population in Ximeng pastoral area and construct the relevant genetic database.

METHODSMultiplex PCR and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to investigate the polymorphism of 6 short tandem repeat (STR) loci in 286 individuals of the Mongolian population.

RESULTSIn this study, 6, 9, 8, 11, 14, 11 alleles were observed at the 6 STR loci respectively. The genotypes distributions in Mongolian population were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05), the cumulative expected heterozygosities (H), discriminating probability (DP) and the polymorphism information contents (PIC) for the 6 loci were 0.9998, 09999, 0.9998 respectively. These data were compared with those of the Han population. The results showed there were significant difference in D3S1358, D13S317, D5S818, D2S1772, D7S3048 loci between the Mongolian population and Han population (P<0.05). However, no significant difference in D6S1043 locus was seen between the two populations (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that these 6 STR loci can serve as genetic marks and provide valuable data which are beneficial to studying the population genetics and ethnology.