DETECTION OF ALLELIC POLYMORPHISM IN A GENE OF THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX OF AFRICAN BUFFALO (SYNCERUS CAFFER)

A method is validated for detection of allelic variation in a gene of the Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of African buffalo. Nucleot ide sequences homologous to the cattle DRB3 gene are specifically ampl ified both from buffalo genomic DNA and cDNA, the latter attesting to the expression of this gene in the African buffalo. By means of PCR-RF LP analysis substantial allelic variation is detected in samples of 74 Cape buffalo from East Africa. Effective screening of MHC diversity i n African buffalo populations, for example in relation to their diseas e history, has thus become feasible.