Molecular Sexing and Taxonomic classification of Nigerian Guinea Fowl using Chromo Helicase DNA Binding Gene and 12S mitochondrial rRNA gene.

Sola-Ojo F.E1,*   Afolabi-Balogun N.B2   Adeniyi C.A3   Adeyemi K.D1   Ayorinde K.L1   Alli O.I1   Oni O.A2   Okeke C.U4   Momoh E.O1   Adewara J.2   Abdulkareem I.1   

1Quantitative, Molecular and Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
2Molecular Biology and Genetic Diversity Research Laboratory, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, and Fountain University Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
3State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
4Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, School of Health Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Sexing of birds at early age is very important for efficient selection and breeding; while characterization and taxonomic identification is relevant in conservation of birds’ genetic resources. This study used the genomic DNA of ten (10) guinea fowl keets to determine their sex using agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing with chromo helicase DNA (CHD) binding genes, they were also characterize taxonomically using 12S rRNA mitochondria genes. The results of this study shows a double band (ZW) for females and a single band (W) for males under Agarose gel electrophoresis view, the Guinea fowl keets sequenced showed some deletions and were closer to Gallus_CHD12 in the phylogenetic tree. The Taxonomic classification result shows that the sequenced guineafowl keets were most related to the Numida meleagris 12S mitochondrial ribosomal RNA. This study corroborate the fact sex of guineafowl keet can be easily identified at genomic DNA level and they can be characterized taxonomically using the 12SrRNA mitochondrial genes.

Figures & Tables

Figure 1. Band Pattern of male and female guinea fowl as shown on Agarose gel. (A indicated female with 2 band (ZW) while B showed male with one band (W).