Genetic diversity of Saudi native chicken breeds segregating for naked neck and frizzle genes using microsatellite markers

Abstract

ObjectiveRecently, there has been an increasing interest in conservation of native genetic resources of chicken on a worldwide basis. Most of the native chicken breeds are threatened by extinction or crossing with ecotypes.MethodsSix Saudi native chicken breeds including black naked neck, brown frizzled, black, black barred, brown and gray were used in the current study. The aim of the current study was to evaluate genetic diversity, relationship and population structure of Saudi native chicken breeds based on 20 microsatellite markers.ResultsA total of 172 alleles were detected in Saudi native chicken breeds across all 20 microsatellite loci. The mean number of alleles per breed ranged from 4.35 in gray breed to 5.45 in normally feathered black with an average of 8.6 alleles. All breeds were characterized by a high degree of genetic diversity, with the lowest heterozygosity found in the brown breed (72%) and the greatest in the frizzled and black barred populations (78%). Higher estimate of expected heterozygosity (0.68) was found in both black breeds (normal and naked neck) compared to the other chicken populations. All studied breeds showed no inbreeding within breed (negative inbreeding coefficient [FIS]). The phylogenetic relationships of chickens were examined using neighbor-joining trees constructed at the level of breeds and individual samples. The neighbor-joining tree constructed at breed level revealed three main clusters, with naked neck and gray breeds in one cluster, and brown and frizzled in the second cluster leaving black barred in a separate one.ConclusionIt could be concluded that the genetic information derived from the current study can be used as a guide for genetic improvement and conservation in further breeding programs. Our findings indicate that the Saudi native chicken populations have a rich genetic diversity and show a high polymorphism.

Deciphering the Patterns of Genetic Admixture and Diversity in the Ecuadorian Creole Chicken

“…The mean FIS value of the population was 0.146 ( p < 0.05) and is similar to that obtained by Suh et al [49] in local Korean chickens, but lower than what was described by Ding et al using the same set of markers in native Chinese chickens [50]; other authors describe a lower value of FIS [51,52]. Because of the high significant value of FIS and as a high number of markers deviate from the HWE, it follows that this population is not in equilibrium, probably owing to the existence of a genetic substructure.…”

Effect of genotype and egg weight on hatchability properties and embryonic mortality pattern of native chicken populations

“…In Saudi Arabia, people traditionally raise native chickens for their preferred eggs and ornamented appearance, especially those segregating for major genes ( Fathi et al, 2017a ). As a result of a national project funded by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia and launched in 2011, six distinct chicken breeds based on their plumage color, productive performance, and genetic evaluation were characterized and established ( Fathi et al, 2017a , b and Fathi et al, 2018 ). To present, there is no comprehensive study on fertility and hatchability performance that has been conducted on well-characterized Saudi native chicken breeds.…”

Estimating genetic diversity and population structure of 22 chicken breeds in Asia using microsatellite markers

“…Although many studies have analyzed the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relatedness of chickens using MS markers, they have been limited, as their samples generally only come from breeds of their respective country or of a few countries [ 19 – 22 ]. The National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) in South Korea, however, has been carrying out the Asian Food & Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) project since 2016, for the purpose of improving the value of animal genetic resources across Asia.…”