Major Histocompatibility Gene Complex Polymorphism in Gerze Chicken and Some Pure Line Genotypes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to molecularly investigate the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphisms of the Gerze chicken population of 43 samples and the commercial pure line population of 50 samples. Allelic diversity was calculated based on PCR amplification of MCW0371 and LEI0258 microsatellite loci in MHC and separation of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis. In the Gerze population, number of different alleles, number of effective alleles, observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity values were calculated as: 16, 10.82, 0.67, 0.91, whereas the values were determined as 19, 11.84, 0.60, 0.92 for the pure line population, respectively for LEI0258 locus. As for MCW0371 locus, the values were calculated as 3, 2.68, 0, 0.63 in the Gerze population and 3, 1.96, 0, 0.49 in the Pure line population, respectively. Nei's genetic distance and genetic identity values between the populations were calculated as 0.419 and 0.658, respectively. The FST value among the populations was found to be 0.068. The findings revealed that Gerze chicken should be included in breeding programs as a unique genetic resource with its allelic richness.