Paternal genetic affinity between Iranian Azeris and neighboring populations

In certain environments such as Iran highlands, major innovations in lifestyle, as the emergence of agriculture and domestication of animals, are thought to have led to population expansions. Historical studies showed that at some point in history (from the third to the first millennium BC) dramatic changes have been taken place on the Iranian plateau. To trace the genetic affinity between the Iranian Azeris and neighboring populations, 297 samples were collected from northwest of Iran. The non-recombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY) was genotyped at the unique event polymorphism (UEP) levels, using 48 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, based on the human NRY tree. According to our results, like other Iranian ethnic groups, Iranian Azeris showed a heterogeneous paternal genetic structure. Low genetic distances were also found between Iranian Azeris and their contemporary geographical neighbors. They also have preserved minor share of Y-haplogroup of central Asian ancestry tracts in their genomes, which is in agreement with the historical period of major Turkic migrations. The strategic feature for northwest of Iran to transfer and carry important ancient migratory events and gene flow across the Asia and the Europe also conducive conditions for sedentary habitation leading to sharp demographic growth in the area is supported by all molecular and statistical analysis of this study.