Genetic variation and genetic diversity in chicken populations using microsatellite assay

Abstract

Birds (212) representing 8 populations - 2 layer strains of White Leghorn (WLH-IWD and WLH-IWF), 2 dual-purpose breeds (Rhode Island Red and Dahlem Red), a commercial layer (Babcock), a commercial broiler (Vencobb), a Indian breed (Aseel) and non-descript (desi) chicken native - were studied for assessing the polymorhism, genetic variation, genetic diversity and genetic relationships between the populations. The overall mean number of alleles (Na) and effective number of alleles (Ne) were 6.46±0.57 and 3.39±0.87, respectively. The overall mean PIC values across the loci ranged from 0.41 for ADL158 to 0.73 for ADL176 and across the populations from 0.48 (Dahlem Red) to 0.72 (non-descript). The mean expected and observed heterozygosity levels were 0.65±0.02 and 0.56±0.01, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the populations into 2 main clusters, one representing Aseel and non-descript, other representing the remaining 6 populations/strains. All the 3 loci deviated significantly from equilibrium frequencies in most of the populations.