Genetic diversity of Nigerian cattle breeds based on variation of carbonic anhydrase and haemoglobin polymorphism

Abstract

The genetic diversities of Nigerian cattle breeds (Sokoto Gudali, Red Bororo and White Fulani) using Carbonic anhydrase and Haemoglobin was investigated using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Blood samples were collected from 300 cattle comprising males and females of 100 Sokoto Gudali, 100 Red Bororo and 100 White Fulani in an heparinized bottle. Three alleles CAA CAB and CAC controlling five genotypes were observed at the Carbonic anhyrase locus while two Haemoglobin alleles HbA and HbB controlling three genotypes were detected. The values for the observed heterozygosity, Sokoto Gulali, Red Bororo and White Fulani were 0.458, 0.455 and 0, 400 respectively, while the values for the expected heterozygosity in Sokoto Gudali, Red Bororo and White Fulani were 0.503, 0 494 and 0.497 respectively. The observed allele frequencies and genotypes (%) were tested with Hardy-Weinberg’s Equilibrium (χ2), and White Fulani was observed to be significant (p<0.05) while Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo were not significant (p>0.05). The values of fixation indices FIS FIT and FST were 0.116, 0.013 and 0.104 respectively. The Genetic distance estimate of Nei (1972) in this study ranged from 0.003-0.037. Using protein loci, the genetic distance indicated that the Red Bororo and White Fulani were the most genetically similar while Sokoto Gudali was farther from the two other breeds indicating that Sokoto Gudali may have had different historical origins or prehistoric migration route