Molecular genetic diversity and conservation priorities of Egyptian rabbit breeds

Abstract

<p>The limited rabbit resources in Egypt are threatened by the danger of extinction, whereas genetic diversity studies of native breeds could play a vital role in conservation and improvement of these breeds. In this study, 3 native rabbit breeds: Gabali (G), Baladi Red (BR) and Baladi Black (BB), in addition to New Zealand White (NZW), were genotyped using 12 microsatellite markers. All the typed microsatellites were polymorphic by average number of alleles 5.25 per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosity per locus averaged 0.62 and 0.68, respectively. The average polymorphic information content was 0.71 and the highest polymorphic information content was recorded in locus SOL33 by 0.85. All the studied loci except SAT7 and SAT2 showed deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with significant level. The inbreeding coefficient of the individuals relative to the total population was 0.07. The within-population heterozygote deficit averaged 0.07 and ranged from 0.141 in BR to 0.015 in BB breeds. The highest pairwise differentiation among the populations was recorded between BB and NZW (0.071), while the lowest value was recorded between BR and both of G (0.038) and BB (0.039). The lowest pairwise Nei’s genetic distance was recorded between BR and BB (0.190), while the highest was recorded between NZW and BB breeds (0.409). BR and G populations were clustered together forming an admixed mosaic cluster. BR recorded the highest contribution in the aggregate genetic diversity based on the three prioritisation methods used.</p>

Influence of Genotypes, Season of Birth, Parity Order and the Interactions between Them on Litter Traits and Body Weight Measurements of Rabbits

“…This may be due to differences in genetic make-up of the two lines. These results are in agreement with the same trend obtained by Afifi et al (2000); Iraqi (2003) and Badr et al (2019).…”

Molecular genetic diversity of some rabbit breeds based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences

“…BB breed was genetically diverged from the NZW breed, which was in agreement with Grimal et al (2012), who found that four Egyptian breeds were structurally separated from the Spanish NZW line. Moreover, this result was consistent with Badr et al (2019), who reported that G, BR and BB breeds were more distinct from the NZW breed, using microsatellite markers. Galal et al (2013) stated that the genetic variation in domestic breeders allows the evolution of new features for environmental changes or adaptation to diseases.…”

“…Mohamed and Abdelfattah (2018) used RAPD and SRAP markers to assess the genetic diversity and similarity among six rabbit breeds: G, Bouscat, Chinchilla, Flemish, Cal and NZW. Badr et al (2019) applied 12 microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic diversity The results of the partial sequence of 16S rRNA showed that A+T contents of all understudying rabbit breeds tend to be higher than C+G contents (Table 2). The 16S rRNA sequences comprised 569 nucleotides sites of which 547 sites (96%) are conserved (Figure 3).…”

Molecular genetic variations of some rabbit breeds using small mitochondrial rRNA sequences

“…Based on the calculated genetic similarity, Baladi Black breed display high genetic variation from the New Zealand White breed, this was concordant with Grimal et al 33 who observed structurally separation between four Egyptian breeds and the Spanish NZW line. In the same context Badr et al 34 applied microsatellite markers in four rabbit breeds and noticed that the New Zealand White breed was more distinctly from Gabali, Baladi Red, and Baladi Black breeds.…”