Heterologous microsatellite markers/SSR used in buffaloes species

Abstract

Assessment of genetic variability present in a breed is vital and it should be a basic component for working out conservation strategies and for designing genetic improvement programs for a particular breed. Molecular markers have been comprehensively exploited, throughout the world, to access this variability as they contribute information on every region of the genome, regardless of the level of gene expression. Microsatellites markers/ Simple sequence repeats are highly polymorphic and are presently the most favored molecular markers, essentially owing to the option of blending their analysis with use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They are simple tandem repeats motifs of 2-6 bases in length. The SSR are popularly known as microsatellites. The most thoroughly studied type to date is of dC-dA type repeats. Since the number of tandem repeats at a locus can vary greatly, SSR markers tend to be amongst the most polymorphic genetic marker types. For example, one allele might have 10 copies of the AC tandem repeat (CA)10, whereas another allele would have 11 copies (CA)11, another 12 copies (CA)12, and so forth. The frequency of occurrence of one SSR per 6-10 Kb. The microsatellite markers used in characterization of a buffalo population has recommended by FAO (2007) out of which 25 usable markers have been identified and are mostly used in diversity analysis at ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).