FRESH AND FROZEN POOLS OF CHICKEN RED-BLOOD-CELLS AS SUBSTRATES FOR DIRECT POLYMERASE-CHAIN-REACTION

A method is presented for reliable use of pooled chicken blood samples for estimation of microsatellite frequencies by direct polymerase cha in reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA. This method overcomes the vari ability of hematocrit values in individual, chickens and eliminates th e step of DNA preparation. The estimated frequencies of polymorphic al leles in fresh and frozen Fooled blood samples were similar to those o btained by calculating these frequencies from the individual genotypin g. When frozen pooled blood samples are used, pools should be prepared prior to their freezing.