Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess genetic polymorphism at two loci in the exon 1 of the kappa-casein gene (CSN3) in Martina Franca donkey breed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Martina Franca donkey was derived from the Catalan donkey brought to Apulia at the time of the Spanish rule. This donkey is tall and well built and has good temperament. Both considered loci were found to be monomorphic in the considered population. At CSN3/PstI locus, all the animals were genotyped as AA since no AG and GG animals were found in the population. A similar result was found at CSN3/BseYIlocus: all the donkeys were monomorphic and genotyped as AA. As a consequence, only one out of nine possible combined genotype (AAAA) was detected.

Key words: Martina Franca donkey, kappa-casein gene (CSN3), gene polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Abbreviation

 aa, Amino acids; SNPs, single-nucleotide polymorphisms; PCR-RFLP, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism; CSN3,kappa-casein gene.