Restriction enzyme analysis of satellite DNA components from poultry genome

The four economically important species of poultry, viz. chicken (Gallus do mesticus), quail (Coturnix japonica), guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and tu rkey (Meleagris gallopavo) were studied for both individual and comparative restriction profile analysis of repetitive DNA using 15 restriction enzyme s. Genomic DNA isolated from 10 birds (5 of either sex) from each species w ere digested satisfactorily with enzymes which include both tetra and hexa cutters. No discrete bands could be observed with any of the enzymes. Howev er, some enzymes (Msp I,Taq I, Apa I, Dra I, Eco RI, Hind III, Nde I, Pst I and Sac I) yielded few feeble bands within the smear. No distinct species or sex specific differences were observed with respect to repetitive DNA pr ofile in these poultry species. The results, therefore clearly demonstrated that repetitive DNA component seems to exist moderately and thereby consti tute a small proportion to total genome in different poultry species studie d.