Evaluation of Genetic Variability in Four Nigerian Locally-Adapted Chicken Populations Using Major Histocompatibility Complex-Linked LEI۰۲۵۸ Microsatellite Marker

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a group of genes that generally influence immune response in vertebrates, and it has been explored among different animal species in various countries. However, there is a paucity of information on its application in Nigerian locally-adapted chickens (NLAC). This research investigated genetic polymorphism, allele variability, and genetic relationships using LEI۰۲۵۸ major histocompatibility complex-linked microsatellite marker among four NLAC populations: Fulani × Yoruba ecotypes, FUNNAB Alpha × Noiler breeds. Blood samples were randomly collected from ۵۰ mature birds in each population and DNA was extracted and subsequently subjected to PCR, Sanger sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. There were two variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTRs), with ۹۰% of the alleles containing only one R۱۳ and varying numbers of the R۱۲ motifs that ranged from ۱ to ۱۹. Additional polymorphism was revealed by the presence of five SNPs and three indels in the upstream and downstream regions of LEI۰۲۵۸. A total of ۴۸ alleles were observed with sizes ranging from ۱۸۸ to ۵۳۰ base pairs while the allele frequencies within the populations ranged from ۱.۹ to ۲۹.۲%. However, only ۱۷ out of the ۴۸ alleles had corresponding MHC-B haplotypes. Haplotypes B۲, B۱۲, and B۲۱ found in this study had been reported to confer resistance to infectious poultry diseases especially avian influenza in locally adapted chickens. There were high allelic variability and genetic polymorphisms observed via the atypical LEI۰۲۵۸ microsatellite in describing the MHC-B region.

کلیدواژه ها:

Characterization ، genetic diversity ، Immune response ، LEI۰۲۵۸ marker ، Nigerian locally-adapted chicken