The experiment was undertaken collaboratively at the Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur; National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur to study the mutagenic effect of fly ash on bovine Amino Levulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD) gene. DNA was extracted from blood samples of 49 fly ash exposed cattle born and reared in vicinity of two Thermal Power Plants, Koradi and Khaperkheda and 41 healthy animals reared at organised farms located more than 10 kilometres away from the plants as the control group. Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA sequencing of the PCR products were carried out for mutation analysis. 'MEGA-5, Bioedit and 'Clustal Omega' software were used to analyse the sequenced data. Thirteen animals from fly ash exposed group revealed mutations at different loci. Most of the animals exhibiting mutations had phenotypic expression of heavy metal toxicity. The nucleotide substitution variant G  C was observed in highest frequency. Mutations in bovine ALAD gene may be due to a prolonged exposure to heavy metals and other toxic elements present in fly ash released from the thermal power plants. Further, it serves as ALAD gene may be used as a good candidate for further toxico-genomic studies.

To estimate the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationship among four breeds (Sonadi, Madgyal, Deccani and Nellore) of sheep adapted in the semi-arid climatic conditions of Rajasthan and part of Deccan plateau RAPD technique was applied. This analysis kept the four breeds in three groups i.e. Deccani and Nellore were kept in same group, Sonadi and Madgyal were kept in entirely different groups but Madgyal has more closenesz to Deccani and Nellore. This RAPD marker study revealed that Madgyal, Deccani and Nellore are closer genetically as compared to Sonadi breed.

Aim: The present study was conducted to estimate genetic distance, the phylogenetic relationship, and time of divergences using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Materials and Methods:The total 216 unrelated samples were collected from native breeding tract of six Indian sheep breeds. The genomic DNA was isolated and screened for restriction enzyme polymorphisms for cytochrome b (Cyt-b) region of mtDNA with seven restriction enzymes. Results:The genetic distance among sheep breeds was ranging between 0.02833 and 0.0946. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Malpura and Chokla were found closer relationship forming distinct cluster followed by Deccani individual were clustered with Nellore sheep, whereas Nali and Sonadi were distant to each other having separate cluster. Estimated divergence time among Indian sheep breeds were ranging about 1.41-4.73 million years ago (MYA) with an average of 3.063±0.27 MYA. It showed that Malpura and Sonadi sheep revealed highest divergence time as 4.73 MYA whereas Malpura and Chokla show the lowest as 1.41 MYA. Conclusion:In conclusion, the restriction fragment length polymorphisms-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) of the Cyt-b region of mtDNA is suitable and cost effective tool for estimating the genetic variability, phylogenetic relationship, and time of divergence among Indian sheep breeds. These findings will help to formulate proper breeding strategies for conservation and utilization of sheep breeds.

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