PCR-RFLP of BLB2 region in guinea fowl population diversified for immunocompetence and growth traits

Two resource populations i.e., one for high (HBW), medium (MBW) and low (LBW) body weight groups and other for high HA titre to SRBC (HA) and low HA titre to SRBC (LA) groups were used in PCR-RFLP analysis of β₁ domain of BLB2 gene in guinea fowl. Both the population showed significant differences for the respective traits i.e., body weight and HA titre against SRBC at 12^th weeks of age. The 277 bp fragment of BLB2 gene, comprising of complete β₁ domain of BLB2 gene was amplified and restriction digested with Hae III and Taq I. The restriction digestion of 277 bp PCR product with Rae III enzyme revealed two genotypes i.e., AA and AB having the frequencies of 1.00 and 0.00 in HBW, 0.66 and 0.34 in MBW, and 0.82 and 0.18 in LBW, respectively. Similarly restriction digestion with Taq I enzyme also revealed AA and AB genotypes with the respective frequency of 0.82 and 0.18 in HBW, 0.82 and 0.18 in LBW and 1.00 and 0.00 in LBW. In another resource population, restriction digestion with Rae III enzyme revealed only two genotypes i.e., AA and AB having frequency of 0.40 and 0.60 in HA, and 1.00 and 0.00 in LA group, respectively. The restriction digestion with Taq I enzyme did not detected any polymorphism between HA and LA groups. No association could be established between PCR-RFLP pattern and early body weight as well as antibody response to SRBC.