B-F DNA sequence variability in Brazilian (blue-egg Caipira) chickens

A total of 100 chickens from the Brazilian (blue-egg Caipira) native breed were studied in relation to exon 2 of the B-F genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region. After a first screening on 100 birds, 22 animals were selected for amplification, cloning and sequencing experiments of exons 2-4 (a total of 1048 bp) of their DNA. Twenty-three sequences were obtained, of which at least 10 appear novel. Inferred protein sequences were compared with those previously described, totalling 41 different sequences with amino acid changes in 33 of the 88 sites in (alpha)1, and 34 of the 91 sites in (alpha)2 domains. Allele expression was investigated in these animals through cloning experiments. The blue-egg Caipira chickens may provide a source of novel B-F alleles for genetic improvement programmes.