Mitochondrial DNA d-loop polymorphism analysis for estimation of diversity in chicken flocks of Pavlov breed

Abstract

Elucidation of the complex origin of various chicken breeds and populations is of essential importance for understanding, preserving and exploiting their genetic diversity. Here, we aim to assess different contributions to mitochondrial genetic diversity of Pavlov chicken breed. Mitochondrial DNA control region (D-loop of 1231/1232 b. p. length) in 37 chickens of Pavlov breed was sequenced. Individuals were selected from three flocks belonging to Federal State Unitary research farm “Gene Pool” (Genofond), Pushkin, Leningrad region, to the collection farm of All-Russian R D and Technology Institute of Poultry Industry (GNU VNITIP), Sergiev Posad, Moscow region, and to fancy breeders from Barnaul (Altai region). The Pavlov chicken D-loop sequences were compared with D-loop sequences annotated in GenBank for established chicken haplogroups. We have found eleven haplotypes belonging to two haplogroups (E1 and A). Genetic uniformity and stability have been shown for the GNU VNITIP and Barnaul flocks, while D-loop high polymorphism was found in the population from the research farm “Gene Pool”. There appears a tendency for genetic fragmentation of Pavlov chicken breed.