Molecular Analysis of Mazandrani native chicken population based on HVR-I region of Mitochondrial DNA

Reserving genetic diversity in native chicken breeds of Iran because of little populationsize is necessary for breeding goals and increasing their production. The first step isdetermination of genetic diversity in existing populations. Studying mitochondrial HVR-I cangive useful information about genetic diversity in those populations. This study was carried out for determination of the mitochondrial HVR-I sequence in Mazandarani native chicken in Iran, estimation of genetic diversity and determining its phylogenetic relationship with other chicken breeds. Blood samples were taken randomly from 20 birds. After extracting DNA, HVR-I region was amplified with specific primers and after purification was sequenced. From 20 primary sequences, 19 were sequenced properly. The phylogenic tree was drawn with consensus sequence of Mazandarani breed and other similar sequences of different chicken breeds obtained from GenBank. In the phylogenic tree, the Mazandarani breed was clustered with Iranian Marandi native chicken, Azarbayjan native, white Leghorn, Barred Plymouth rock, Silky and Sonerati breeds. Then, it can be concluded that Mazandarani breed has some genetic similarities with these chicken breeds.