Ovar-MHC Polymorphism in Malpura and Avikalin Sheep Vaccinated for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Virus

Abstract

India harbors a vast diversity of sheep (40 breeds). The study was carried out to assess the genetic diversity of DRB1 and DQA2 locus of the ovar-MHC and their possible association with Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus vaccine response in Malpura and Avikalin sheep breeds maintained at an organized institute flock in the semi-arid region of India. Genetic analysis revealed the rich diversity of DRB1 locus with 23 alleles in Malpura and 21 alleles in Avikalin sheep that included 9 new alleles. DQA2 locus also had rich diversity with 19 alleles in Malpura and 20 alleles in Avikalin sheep that included 7 new alleles. At the protein level, high variability alike at the nucleotide level was observed. A marker for footrot susceptibility, DQA2*1101 was absent in both breeds. Genotypic association of DRB1 and DQA2 with PPR vaccine response was statistically non-significant. Vaccine response being a multifactorial (polygenic and influenced by environment) variable, could not show statistically significant association with MHC genotypes in the present study. However, rich genetic diversity of DRB1 and DQA2 gene reflects the importance of this locus for future selection programs.

Association between the Ovine MHC-DRB1 Gene and its Resistance to Gastrointestinal Parasites in Deccani Sheep Raised in Hot Semi-arid Ecosystem of India

“…In accordance with the present findings, Bhide and Mikula (2005), studied polymorphism in DRB1 region in Valachian sheep and revealed 25 different SSCP patterns in 400 sheep. Similarly, SSCP patterns ranging from 11 to 31 were reported in different breeds of sheep (Shaobin et al, 2015, Zamani et al, 2016, Gowane et al, 2017a.…”

“…The DNA was quantified using UV spectrophotometer. Sequence specific primers reported by Gowane et al (2017a) and Gowane et al (2017b) were utilized to amplify the region of interest. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out in a total volume 50 μl solution containing 1 μl template DNA, 10X buffer with Mgcl 2 5 μl, 2.5 Mm dNTPs (100 µM each) 1.0 μl, forward primer (20 pmol /μl) 1.0 μl, reverse primer (20 pmol/μl) 1.0 μl and Taq DNA polymerase 1.0 μl.…”