Journal of Applied Genetics 43(2), 2002, pp. 217-222

Microsatellite polymorphism in locus OMHC1 (MHC Class I) in Polish Heath Sheep and Polish Lowland Sheep (Żelazna variety)

Joanna GRUSZCZYNSKA, Krystyna M. CHARON, Wieslaw SWIDEREK, Milena SAWERA

Abstract: Our study aimed at comparative analysis of microsatellite polymorphism in locus OMHC1 (MHC Class I) in Polish Heath Sheep and Polish Lowland Sheep (Żelazna variety). The study was conducted on 100 ewes of each breed. We identified 13 alleles of the gene in Polish Heath Sheep and 9 in Polish Lowland Sheep. We found marked differences in frequency of OMHC1 alleles between both breeds. The heterozygosity coefficient and PIC, amounting to 0.79 and 0.77 for Polish Heath Sheep, and 0.82 and 0.80 for Polish Lowland Sheep, respectively, suggest considerable variability in both breeds. Additionally, the values of both coefficients indicate that OMHC1 locus can be used as a genetic marker.

Key words: MHC Class I, OMHC1 locus, polymorphism, sheep.

Correspondence: J. GRUSZCZYNSKA, Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Warsaw Agricultural University, ul. Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warszawa, Poland.