NOVEL BREED-SPECIFIC ALLELES IDENTIFIED BY MICROSATELLITE MARKERS IN SHEEP BREEDS

R. Selvam¹*
¹Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli, 627 358, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, 600051, Tamil Nadu, India
* Corresponding Author : selvam.r@tanuvas.ac.in

Received : 02-02-2020     Accepted : 27-02-2020     Published : 28-02-2020
Volume : 12     Issue : 2       Pages : 704 - 706
Genetics 12.2 (2020):704-706

Keywords : Microsatellite, Breed-specific alleles, Genetic diversity, Madras Red sheep, Mecheri sheep, Breed Identification and Characterisation
Academic Editor : Suleyman Cylek
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Author is thankful to Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli, 627 358, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, 600051, Tamil Nadu, India
Author Contribution : Sole author

Breed-specific identification tools are very much essential for better livestock management, to promote conservation and preservation of livestock genetic diversity. Microsatellites are markers of choice for breed characterisation and differentiation. This study is aimed to characterize and to identify breed-specific alleles in Madras Red and Mecheri sheep breeds by using FAO recommended microsatellite markers. DNA was isolated by a rapid, non-enzymatic method using non-ionic detergent from 50 unrelated animals of each breed. A total of 10 microsatellite markers are used for PCR amplification which is followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. The silver-stained gels were analysed by Diversity Database software for sizing of various allelic products in both the breeds of sheep studied. Breed-specific alleles were observed in all loci in both the breeds, except Oar FCB 128 and TGLA 377 which showed breed-specific alleles only in Madras Red sheep. Such breed-specific alleles and their frequencies obtained in this study can be efficiently used to differentiate Madras Red and Mecheri sheep at DNA level.

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