DNA variation among seven New Zealand sheep breeds

J.A. Sise, G.W. Montgomery, D.F. Hill

MAF Technology Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1991, 51: 47-54

Genetic variation among 7 sheep breeds was investigated using 10 DNA probes. No significant differences were observed between Romneys, Coopworths and Perendales at any of the loci examined. Significant variation was observed between Romney related breeds and Merinos at several loci. At the haemoglobin locus (Hb), a probe which appears to detect alleles coding for HbA and/or HbB as classified by protein electrophoresis, failed to detect alleles in all samples. The missing allele appeared predominant in Texel DNA samples, but was also seen in Romneys, Coopworths and Merinos. A new allele was detected in Texel DNA with a probe coding for the Beta subunit of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH-Beta). This allele was observed at a high frequency in the Texel population and may be Texel specific. Similarity of allele frequencies between the Gotlands and Finns at many loci suggests that these two breeds may be related. Texels and Merinos do not appear to be closely related to any of the breeds studied.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Allele frequency; genetic linkage; gene mapping; restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

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