Genetic Diversity Analysis of Four Sheep Breeds Existing in Iran Using Microsatellite Markers

Considering the importance of identification and maintaining of genetic diversity in native animals, four sheep breeds existing in Iran (Pakistani (25), Kermani (102), Iran Black (44) and Lory-Bakhtiyari (25)) were evaluated in terms of genetic diversity, using four microsatellite markers McMA2, HSC, OarHH35 and BM6444. Genomic DNA was extracted from 196 blood samples by optimized salting-out DNA extraction procedure and PCR was performed using four primer pairs. The results showed that all loci are polymorph. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium using chi-square test showed that some of the various components of loci - population were in Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium (P