Survey of efficiency of six microsatellite loci in Iranian indigenous cattle and buffalo populations

Genetic diversity of three native buffalo populations from Azarie, Mazandaranie and Khuzestanie and two Iranian cattle breeds namely Sistanie and Taleshie were estimated using six microsatellite markers. Thirty individuals were randomly selected from each population/ breed. Total genomic DNA was extracted by an optimized phenol–chloroform extraction method. The extracted DNA was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the six microsatellite loci used in this study, two loci (ETH10 and ETH 225) were monomorphic within the three buffalo populations. Genetic distance between the populations was estimated by Fst (two by two) method. Maximum genetic distance was observed between Khuzestanie and Mazandaranie buffalo populations (55%); whereas the minimum genetic distance (31%) was observed between Khuzestanie and Azarie populations. Values of both polymorphic information content (PIC) and heterozygosity (observed and expected) were higher within two cattle breeds as compared to those estimated for three buffalo populations.