GENETIC VARIATION IN A NON-DESCRIPT POPULATION OF GOATS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A preliminary study involving 20 goats was conducted to assess the genetic variability ofa non-descript goat population in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Tissue samples were collected from twenty (20) non-descript goats. Amplification of 25 microsatellite markers was by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. The PCR products were multiplexed and genotyped using an Applied Biosystems 3700 sequencer and bands were scored using Peakscanner” software. Allele number, observed and expected heterozygosities, as well as Shanon and Inbreeding index were computed using GenAlEX 6.5. Most of the markers were highly polymorphic with allele numbers ranging from 2 (ILSTS005) to 14 (ILST087), and above 4 in most cases. Genetic variability was high as observed by the values of the mean observed and expected heterozygosites (0.678 and 0.721 respectively). The Microsatellite markers used in this study showed their suitability for analysis of genetic variability in this population as demonstrated by the high mean Shannon index (1.607). However, further research using a larger sample size, together with the three indigenous goat breeds of the country should be considered to assist the conservation decision and management of indigenous breeds.