Molecular characterization of Pulikulam cattle using microsatellite markers

The present study estimates genetic variability in Pulikulam cattle (n=50), a draught breed of India, by use of 18 microsatellite markers recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Microsatellite genotypes were derived and allelic and genotypic frequencies, heterozygosities and gene diversity were estimated. A total of 142 alleles were distinguished by the 18 microsatellite markers used. All the microsatellites were highly polymorphic, with mean (± s.e.) allelic number of 7.89 ± 0.72, ranging 3-12 per locus. The observed heterozygosity in the population ranged between 0.1316 and 0.8958, with mean (± s.e.) of 0.5758 ± 0.0535, indicating considerable genetic variation in this population. Genetic bottleneck hypotheses were also explored. Our data suggest that the Pulikulam breed has not experienced a genetic bottleneck in the recent past.