Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism for the Stat5a and Fgf2 Genes in Three Sudanese Zebu Cattle

Two genes named: Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 A (STAT5A) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) were typed in 90 animals representing three Sudanese cattle Zebu breeds (Fuga, Kenana and Butana). Blood samples were collected on vacutainer tubes supported with EDTA to prevent blood clotting, DNA were isolated and purified using standard phenol-chlorophorm method. Polymerase chain reactions were performed using specific primers for each gene under study. Each gene PCR products were subject to cut with specific restriction enzyme: BstEII for STAT5A and Csp6I for FGF2 gene. The results showed that amplification of the STAT5A gene produced a PCR product of 820 bp length, cut with restriction enzyme revealed the presence of two alleles: C (0.04) and G (0. 96) which produced two genotypes: CG (0.08) and GG (0.92) while the CC genotype was absent in all the breeds under study. The amplification of FGF2 gene produced a PCR product of 207 bp length, cut with restriction enzyme revealed the presence of two alleles: A (0.973) and G (0.973) which produced two homozygous genotypes: AA (0.887) and AG (0.114) while the GG genotype was absent in all the breeds under study. The study proved the possibility of using RFLP technique in genetic analysis and some quantitative trait loci studies if productive data is available. The results also showed a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in Sudanese Zebu cattle breeds.