Evaluation of genetic differentiation of different camel breeds in Sistan and Baluchestan province using microsatellite markers

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of different camel breeds in Sistan and Baluchestan province using microsatellite markers. For this purpose, 70 camels were randomly selected from Jamazeh and Baluchi breeds. Jugular vein blood sampling was performed in the tubes containing 0.5% EDTA. The extraction of DNA was performed by salt-detergent method. Five microsatellite markers were selected from the camel genome project with specific primers and banding patterns on 5% agarose gel. Genetic and population structures were analyzed using POPGENE v1.31 software. The number of alleles in five marker positions in Jamazeh and Baluchi breeds ranged from one to six alleles. The number of alleles in five markers CVRLO6, VOLP32, LCV66, WYLLO and CMS17 in Jamazeh are equal to three, two, three, four and one alleles, respectively, and in Baluchi breed with two, four, two, five and one alleles, respectively. According to the results, the range of heterozygosity observed in the studied sites in Jamazeh and Baluchi breeds was in the range from 0.29 to 0.52. The results of FST analysis showed that the two populations were more than 96% similar and the difference between them was 3%. The results of the presentresearchindicated a low rate of polymorphism in the studied sites and in order to preserve breeds and be more adaptable to environmental conditions, it needs more attention and control of inbreeding.