Genetic diversity in indigenous Cameroon and German Dahlem Red fowl populations estimated from DNA fingerprints

In order to determine the genetic diversity within the indigenous Cameroon fowl (ICF) and German Dahlem Red (GDR) chickens and the genetic distance between the two, blood samples were collected from the two populations. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood and restriction enzyme Hinf1 was used for DNA digestion. To obtain fragment length polymorphism in form of DNA fingerprints two simple repetitive oligonucleotide probes, (CA)8 and (CAC)5, were used. Two DNA fingerprint analyses were conducted: 1) Genetic variability within ICF and GDR was estimated based on pairwise comparison of fragments (bands) from banding patterns within each population. 2) Band sharing between banding patterns of ICF, GDR and an inbred Leghorn line (IL) was determined to measure genetic distance between the populations and to establish a genetic relationship among the strains. Average percent band sharing (APS) in the ICF was 22.8% and in the GDR was 51.0%. Number of polymorphic bands in ICF was 21.7 and in the GDR was 13.9. The number of bands per lane was about 28.0. Average per cent band difference (APD) which is the measure of genetic distance was 79.8% between ICF and GDR In conclusion the genetic distance between the ICF and GDR is considerable apart and the genetic diversity opens possibilities for exploiting heterosis effects in crossing the two populations.