Contribution à la caractérisation phénotypique des populations avicoles locales du Nord-Ouest algérien et initiation aux techniques de la biologie moléculaire par l’amplification du microsatellite MCW41

Abstract

The maintenance and preservation of local chicken is still needed so long as extensive and semi-intensive farming is a socio-economic necessity. Local breeds, of undeniable hardiness, deserve further attention at the scientific level. Knowledge of their characteristics, requirements and the gradual improvement of their growth performance may be a cofactor for economic development and biodiversity conservation. The present paper is intended to contribute to the phenotypic characterization of populations of local hens North-western Algeria and to learn the techniques of molecular biology through the amplification of microsatellite MCW41. Field surveys have allowed us to have an idea about the different chicken phenotypes of the existing local variety in the visited regions. In this study, we investigated the measurable characteristics in two phenotypes, namely, those of a naked and a normal neck. We found that there is a significant difference between phenotypes in chickens with regard to body weight and leg length parameters. For roosters, there is a significant difference between the phenotypes with regard to body weight as well as wing and leg length. Normal chicken achieve a weight of 1,53 ± 0,169 Kg, a leg length of 7, 329 ± 0,827 cm and naked chicken have a weight of 1,462 ± 0,250 Kg, a leg length of 6,856± 1,030 cm. Sexual dimorphism is clear in this study. We notice that the roosters are still heavier, longer and wider than the hens. The extraction of DNA from 21 blood samples from 21 chickens selected out of 111 local ones, allowed us to contribute to the establishment of an avian DNA bio-bank at the Applied Animal Physiology laboratory. We were also introduced to the in-vitro amplification technology (PCR) through the amplification of 11 DNA by using microsatellite MCW41. Amplification products were tested by an electrophoresis on Agarose gel. This technique is reliable, cheap and easy to carry out.