Abstract

Genetic variations were detected in four different rabbit genotypes; Animal Production Research Institute (APRI) line, New-Zealand White (NZW), Baladi Black (BB) and Gabali (GAB) breeds. Ten individuals from the first three genotypes and seven individuals from GAB, were blood sampled. Isozymes (esterase and peroxidase) andsodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-protein markers were used to detect the genetic variations within these genotypes, whereas the random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis using six random arbitrary primers were employed to assess the genetic variations and phylogenetic relationships among the four genotypes. The results show a variation in biochemical activity levels since, esterase profiles showed higher percentage of polymorphism (67.21%) than peroxidase (34.78%) and SDS-protein profiles (39.11 %). Moreover, the mean of the genetic similarity within the genotypes based on overall biochemical markers were 0.81 (APRI), 0.91 (NZW), 0.89 (BB) and 0.86 (GAB), which indicates high homogeneity within each of the four genotypes. The polymorphism percentage based on overall RAPD primers was 35.44% among these genotypes, which presents a kind of genetic diversity. From the dendrogram tree, the genotypes BB and GAB appeared to be closely related, while the APRI genotype was the most different.

Key words: Rabbits, genetic diversity, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), isozymes, random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR).

Abbreviation

APRI, Animal Production Research Institute; NZW, New-Zealand White; BB, Baladi Black; GAB, Gabali; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate; RAPD-PCR,random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction; FR, fertility rate.