Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Fars Native Chicken Based on Partial Mitochondrial DNA D-loop Region Sequences

Native chickens are considered as national genetic resources and their conservation is very important from biodiversity aspects. The study of mitochondrial genome in one breed and comparing it with others can be a useful index for genetic diversity in that population. This study carried out for determining the sequences of mitochondrial high variable 1 (HVR-I) of D-loop region in Fars native chicken. Blood samples were collected randomly from 20 birds. After extracting DNA from whole blood, the HVR-I region was amplified using specific primers and then was sequenced. Totally, 12 sequences were obtained properly. After analyzing of the sequences, three haplotypes were identified with 5 single nucleotide polymorphic sites (SNP). These changes were mainly observed from nucleotides 217 to 446. After obtaining similar mtDNA sequence from GenBank, phylogenetic tree was drawn. Phylogenetic results indicated the Fars native chickens were clustered with Azerbaijan native, White Leghorn, Silky, Sonneratii, Barred Plymouth Rock, Iranian Marandi and Mazandarani native chickens. Therefore, we conclude that the Fars chicken might has some genetic similarities with these chicken breeds.