Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers in genetic analysis of relatedness in Japanese quail lines

RAPD-PCR technique was used to analyze 5 Japanese quail lines, viz control, WES, HWt, WFe and WBr, for evaluating the genetic relatedness and diversit y within and among lines. DNA was isolated from 0.1 mi of venous blood usin g phenol chloroform extraction method. Three random primers reported to yie ld polymorphic pattern in chicken, were taken for this. Out of the 3 primer s, 2 primers revealed reproducible polymorphic patterns and 1 primer reveal ed monomorphic pattern. The data so generated was used to estimate band sha ring frequencies (BSF) and genetic distances (D) among lines. Higher within line BSF (0.738-0.925) than between lines BSF (0.667-0.798) were obtained indicating the existence of genetic relatedness within lines. Among meat li nes, lowest genetic distance was estimated between White feathered and Whit e breasted (D= 0.016) lines and low genetic distance (D=0.099) were observe d between control and WES lines which was in consonance with their breeding history. The study confirms the applicability of RAPD-PCR technique in gen etic analysis of Japanese quail lines.