Genetic Diversity of 76 STR Loci in the Dahe Pig

The Dahe pig is one of the representative indigenous pig breeds in the middle-altitude region of southwest China, and has played an important role in the local meat production for a long time. In order to estimate the genetic variability in its population, as well as provide the guidance and basis of genetic background for its conservation and further utilization, 76 microsatellite loci situated on swine’s 19 chromosomes were analyzed for 60 individuals sampled from their natural population by employing PCR and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 347 alleles were detected and all the loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles varied from 3 to 10, with a mean allele and effective allele number of 4.57 and 3.50 at each locus respectively. The mean heterozygosity and polymorphism information content of 76 microsatellite loci were 0.696 2±0.071 6 and 0.644 1±0.091 4, respectively. The results indicated that the genetic diversity of the Dahe pig was rich, and the Dahe pig has a good selection potential for breeding.

Keywords
Microsatellite DNA; Dahe pig; Genetic diversity; Heterozygosity; Polymorphism information content