Abstract
Haemoglobin polymorphism was investigated in 50 normal feathered, 33 naked neck and 42 Fulani-ecotype Nigerian indigenous chickens. Haemoglobin typing was carried out using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Two co-dominant haemoglobin alleles (HbA and HbB) were found in the chickens. From the electrophoretic band patterns, three genotypes (HbAA, Hband HbBB) were observed. The frequencies of the A and B genes were 0.68 and 0.32; 0.71 and 0.29; 0.75 and 0.25 for normal feathered, naked neck and Fulani-ecotype chickens respectively. The corresponding genotype frequencies for AA, AB, and BB in the three chicken populations were 0.54, 0.28 and 0.18; 0.58, 0.27and 0.15; 0.62, 0.26 and 0.12 respectively. The gene and genotype frequencies of naked neck and Fulani-ecotype birds were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium while those of normal feathered birds deviated significantly from the theoretical proportions. The average amount of heterozygosity at haemoglobin locus was 0.41. The results obtained could serve as a reference point in the genetic improvement of indigenous chickens using biochemical markers.
Highlights
Livestock populations have evolved unique adaptation to their agricultural production system and agro- ecological environments. The knowledge of their genetic diversity is important as it forms the basis for designing breeding programmes and making rational decisions on sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources (Mwacharo et al, 2005)
Blood samples were randomly collected from a total of one hundred and twenty five birds comprising fifty normal feathered (17 males and 33 females), thirty three naked neck (18 males and 15 females) and forty two Fulani-ecotype (20 males and 22 females) indigenous chickens
Cold distilled water was added to the sedimented cells to release the haemoglobin (Hb) by haemolysis
Summary
Livestock populations have evolved unique adaptation to their agricultural production system and agro- ecological environments. The knowledge of their genetic diversity is important as it forms the basis for designing breeding programmes and making rational decisions on sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources (Mwacharo et al, 2005). It represents a unique resource to respond to the present and future needs of livestock production both in developed. A. Yakubu and V.E. Aya and developing countries. Genetic characterisation through the use of molecular markers is providing new avenues for decision making choices for the conservation and rational management of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) (Ajmone-Marsan et al, 2010; Groeneveld et al, 2010; FAO., 2011)
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