J.A. Johari, M.A. Adura, Z. Zulkeflie, M.O. Ariff and M. Rahmah

Abstract

Genetic variation and relationship between the indigenous Kedah-Kelantan, Thai, Brahman and Charolais cattle was studied using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. A total of 120 heads of KK, Thai, Brahman and Charolais cattle were used in the study. DNA band patterns and frequencies generated by the 8 random primers indicated that there were considerable genetic variation within and between the four breeds of beef cattle. The estimated genetic distance matrix delineated the genetic relationship between the four breeds of cattle. This was indicated by the dendrogram which clearly divided the four beef cattle breeds into two main groups, namely, the Bos indicus which include the KK, Thai cattle and Brahman; and the Bos Taurus, the Charolias cattle which is of European origin. Nei’s index indicated that the KK and Thai cattle are genetically similar, suggesting that the KK and Thai cattle are of the same breed but with different names. RAPD markers are useful for assessing genetic variation and establishing the genetic relationship between different breeds of beef cattle.

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