Evaluation of eight microsatellite loci polymorphism in four Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) strain in Iran.

Allele frequencies of eight microsatellite loci as GUJ0001, GUJ0021, GUJ0034, GUJ0041, GUJ0049, GUJ0059, GUJ0070 and GUJ0097 was estimated for four strain of Japanese quail in Iran. Whole blood samples were collected from 200 individuals belonging to four strain (Pharach, Panda, Tuxedo and Golden).Total Genomic DNA was extracted by the GUSN-Silica Gel kit. The extracted DNA was amplified through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Of the eight microsatellite loci used in this study, two loci ( GUJ0001 and GUJ0041 ) were monomorphic in Panda and Texedo, respectively. The highest and the lowest PIC values belonged to GUJ0059 in Golden (0.815) and GUJ0041 in Panda strain (0.427), respectively. The expected heterozygosity varied between 0.708 and 0.849. All locus-strain combinations deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except GUJ0041 in Pharach strain, GUJ0021, GUJ0034, GUJ0041 and GUJ0097 in Panda strain and GUJ0034, GUJ0049 and GUJ0070 in Golden strain (p < 0.001). Results suggest the effectiveness of this set of loci for testing genetic relatedness.