Abstract
Molecular characterization of Hallikar, the native cattle breed of Karnataka, was undertaken using 19 cattle specific, highly polymorphic microsatellite markers recommended by FAO. The genomic DNA was subjected to PCR amplification and alleles were resolved through six per cent denaturing PAGE with a 10 bp DNA ladder followed by silver staining. Genotyping of animals was done based on allele size. The number of alleles ranged from three to nine with allele sizes ranging from 102 bp to 294 bp. These alleles were distributed in the frequency range between 0.0306 and 0.8673 in the population. The mean observed number of alleles was 6.368±1.4225. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.7515±0.1734 and 0.7850±0.1381, respectively. The high heterozygosity observed implies presence of higher genetic variability within Hallikar breed. The PIC (Polymorphism Information Content) values ranged from 0.2322 (ETH152) to 0.8654 (ETH225). The percentage of polymorphic loci obtained was 100 as all the 19 microsatellite markers were found to be polymorphic. Except for ETH152, all the other loci had high PIC values, indicating that these markers are highly informative for characterization of Hallikar breed. The population was tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at 19 microsatellite loci, and at 74 per cent of the loci the population was found to be in disequilibrium.
Highlights
India has diversified and unique cattle genetic resources having 30 well recognized breeds that constitute 7.75 per cent (FAO, 1995) of the total cattle breeds of the world
There is perception amongst the farmers and breeders in the breeding tract about the deterioration in the form, size, quality, growth, reproduction and production potentialities of Hallikar cattle breed due to changes in the utility and cropping pattern, breeding objectives and agrobiodiversity of the breeding tract
This study was undertaken with the objective of characterizing Hallikar breed of cattle using microsatellite markers
Summary
India has diversified and unique cattle genetic resources having 30 well recognized breeds that constitute 7.75 per cent (FAO, 1995) of the total cattle breeds of the world. Hallikar animals are world famous for their excellent ‘draught power capacity’, endurance and discipline at work. This breed is considered as the progenitor of the Amrithmahal, Khillar and Kangayam breeds. DNA sequences, have proved to be most sensitive markers for population genetic studies. In view of their high polymorphism, high heterozygosity, Mendelian codominant inheritance, ubiquity throughout the genome and ease of scoring by PCR, microsatellites are considered as powerful DNA markers for genetic characterization of native breeds (May, 1990). This study was undertaken with the objective of characterizing Hallikar breed of cattle using microsatellite markers
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