Molecular Genetic Characterization of Local Buffalo Population of Jammu and Kashmir Region using Microsatellite Markers

In the present study, genetic characterization of local buffalo population, a native to north temperate region of India in Jammu and Kashmir, was carried out for the purpose of breed characterization and assessing existing intra-population genetic diversity. A total 50 blood samples procured at random from genetically unrelated animals of two sexes and different age groups were collected from different locations in the breeding tract of these buffaloes. The multi-locus genotype data were generated using 15 FAO recommended buffalo specific microsatellite markers, which gave amplification and various parameters were estimated through PopGene software (1.3.1). A total of 103 distinct alleles were observed with mean observed and effective number of alleles as 6.8667±0.29 and 5.5683±0.2 respectively across all 15 studied loci. The maximum (9) alleles were contributed by loci (CSM013 and CSM061) and the least (5) by (ILSTS030). The mean Observed and Expected Heterozygosities across all loci were 0.6840±0.01 and 0.8250±0.007 respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.7227 (CSM038) to 0.8357 (CSM013) with mean PIC of 0.7913±0.008. The Nei's genetic distance measures varied from 0.7606 (CSM038) to 0.8528 (CSM013 and BRN) with mean genetic distance of 0.8167±0.007. The mean Shannon's index value ranged from 1.5220 (ILSTS030) to 2.0320 (CSM013) with mean of (1.7894±0.03). Microsatellite analysis thus revealed high level of polymorphism across studied microsatellite markers and informativeness of the markers for genetic diversity analysis studies which can be utilized to plan future association studies to exploit the uniqueness and adaptability of indigenous buffalo population.