Studies on Phenotypic Morphometric Traits and HSP-70 Gene Polymorphism in Local Donkeys of Akola
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Date
2023-04-03
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MAFSU, NAGPUR
Abstract
This study documented the morphometric, phenotypic traits and
breeding practices of local donkeys in Akola district, Maharashtra. Total 86
local donkeys were subjected for recording and socioeconomic profile of 96
donkey farmers was also surveyed using preformed questionnaire.
Additionally, genetic polymorphism of the HSP-70 gene in donkeys were
investigated. 50 unrelated Kaikadi donkeys were analyzed for genetic
polymorphism using PCR RFLP of the HSP-70 gene (169 bp) with BsaAI
restriction enzyme. The donkeys were of medium sized with grey coat colour
prominently. Phenotypic characteristics of the donkeys, such as black eyes, eyelids and hooves, a light grey muzzle, and dark brown tail switch were also
noticed. Nasal bone was concave and straight. The overall mean values for
various morphometric traits (cm) recorded in adult local donkeys (n=86)
belonging to both sexes exhibited mean values for Body length (BL), Height
at wither (WH), Height at croup (HC), Height at knee (HN), Height at hock
(HH), Arm length (AL), Dis. bet. withers to croup (WC) and Dis. bet. croup
and tail head (CT), Chest girth (CG), Paunch girth (PG), Tail length (TL),
Face length (FL), Face width (FW), Dis. bet. eyes (ED), Ear length (EL), Ear
width (EW) and Body weight (BWT) were 73.43±0.32 cm, 91.20±0.58 cm,
93.44 ±0.60 cm, 31.39±0.14 cm, 35.19 ±0.14 cm, 84.52 ±0.61 cm, 55.11
±0.48 cm, 17.94±0.08 cm, 97.31±0.54 cm, 101.29 ±0.54 cm, 51.90 ±0.32 cm,
41.73±0.35 cm, 19.24 ±0.27 cm, 9.94 ±0.11 cm, 21.00 ±0.17 cm, 10.03 ±0.16
cm and 58.66 ±0.90 kg, resp. The Least square analysis of variances exhibited
effect of non-genetic factors viz. age, sex and location etc. on various
morphometric traits. Kaikadi donkeys were primarily reared by Kaikadi
community, belonging to NT category with medium family size, mostly
illiterate and landless and labour. All the donkey farmers surveyed were below
poverty line. The families kept donkeys as their traditional business for draft
or pack purposes. All the donkey farmers preferred for Natural breeding using
their own jenny and no specific criteria for selection of male for breeding. The
donkeys were kept in open (61.46%) and Kaccha (97.79%) shed, which
located near residence (92.71%). The PCR-RFLP of HSP-70 gene (169 bp)
using synthetic primer Forward primer-5-ACATGGCAAGGTGGAGATCA-3
and Reverse primer-5’-GAACTTGCGTCCGATCAGTC-3’) and digesion
with BsaAI restriction enzyme exhibited uncut fragment of 169 bp i.e.
monomorphic AA genotype for all the studied samples. Thus, the frequency of
observed genotypes AA, AB and BB was estimated as 1, 0 and 0 respectively
and complete absence ‘B’ allele and fixation of allele A in population in
studied local donkey of Akola district.
The study found that the Kaikadi donkey population in Akola district
was of small size and has unique physical characteristics compared to other
donkey populations in India. The HSP-70 gene locus studied was found to
have a fixed AA genotype in the donkey population.