DNA Polymorphism at IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα Genes in Aseel Native chicken^†

DNA polymorphism at Interleukin-2R γ-chain (IL-2Rγ) and Interleukin-15R α-chain (IL-15Rα) genes was studied by PCR-RFLP technique in 60 random bred Aseel native chicken, selected out of 251 birds, on the basis of their response to sheep erythrocytes and categorized into high, medium and low groups. Amplification of these regions yielded products of 600 and 246 bp, respectively. Hph I digestion of IL-2Rγ PCR product generated fragments of 465, 454 bp sizes. Only one type of homozygotes (with 465 bp fragment) and heterozygotes (with both 465 and 454 bp fragments) were observed. The gene and genotypic frequencies of A and B alleles and AA and AB genotypes were 0.82 and 0.18 and 0.64 and 0.36, respectively. AluI PCR-RFLP analysis ofIL-15Rα revealed fragments of 123 and 80 bp in all the samples; a pattern of heterozygotes. Heterozygotes at IL-2Rγ gene revealed significantly higher HA titres than the homozygote. Heterozygotes at IL-15Rαgene however, revealed significantly lower HA titre than the population average. Aseel breed of native chicken showed higher immunocompetence status than that reported in other chicken breeds.