Genetic differences between swamp and river buffaloes in the electrophoretic variations of albumin and transferrin.

Abstract

Alb and Tf variations in Swamp, River and their crossbred buffaloes in Malaysia and the Philippines were analyzed by starch-gel electrophoresis. Three Alb phenotypes (AlbA, AX, X) were found in the Swamp, two phenotypes (AlbA, AB) in the River, and five phenotypes (AlbAB, B, AX, BX, X) in the crossbred buffalo populations. The AlbB gene existed only in the River buffaloes, whereas the AlbX gene existed only in the Swamp buffaloes with high gene frequencies. Their crossbreds had both genes. Also, the AlbA gene was observed in both types of the buffaloes.All of the Swamp buffaloes except one animal in Malaysia showed two Tf phenotypes (TfAD, D). The River buffaloes had three phenotypes: TfD, DE, E whereas the crossbred had five: TfAD, AE, D, DE, E. There was no TfA gene in the River buffaloes, and very few or no TfE gene in the Swamp buffaloes. The most common gene was TfD in the Swamp buffaloes (0.850-0.935), and TfE in the River buffaloes (0.750-0.906). Their crossbred had both TfA and TfE genes. Therefore, the distinct genetic differences were indicated between the Swamp and River buffaloes.