Evaluation of genetic variability in Kenkatha cattle by microsatellite markers

Kenkatha cattle, a draft purpose breed, which can survive in a harsh environment on low quality forage, was explored genetically exploiting FAO-suggested microsatellite markers. The microsatellite genotypes were derived by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by electrophoretic separation in agarose gels. The PCR amplicons were visualized by silver staining. The allelic as well as genotypic frequencies, heterozygosities and gene diversity were estimated using standard techniques. A total of 125 alleles was distinguished by the 21 microsatellite markers investigated. All the microsatellites were highly polymorphic with mean allelic number of 5.95 +/- 1.9 (ranging from 3-10 per locus). The observed heterozygosity in the population ranged between 0.250 and 0.826 with a mean of 0.540 +/- 0.171, signifying considerable genetic variation. Bottleneck was examined assuming all three mutation models which showed that the population has not experienced bottleneck in recent past. The population displayed a heterozygote deficit of 21.4%. The study suggests that the breed needs to be conserved by providing purebred animals in the breeding tract.