Assessment of Genetic Variability among Some Rabbit Breeds Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique (RAPD)

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker was employed to assess the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship among four rabbit breeds viz.  New Zealand White, Gabali, Baladi Red and Baladi Black reared in Egypt. Initially, a total of 14 random primers of arbitrary sequence were used but 10 of them generated reproducible, scoreable and polymorphic bands.  Out  of  131 bands  scored  using  these  primers,  74(56.48%)  were  recognized  as Polymorphic and 57 (43.52%) as monomorphic bands. The highest percentage of polymorphic bands was recognized for primers OPB-02 (94%) and OPB-07 (92%). While,  the  lowest  percentage  of  polymorphic  bands  was  recognized  for primers OPA-02(16%)  and  OPF-12  (28%).  The  band  sharing  frequencies  (BSF)  was  found  higher  between Baladi Red -Baladi Black (0.80± 0.038   ) , followed by Gabali - Baladi Black  (0.71±0.079  ),  New Zealand White- Baladi Black  (0.70±0.096   ), New Zealand Whit- Baladi Red (0.69±0.088  )and the least BSF was found between New Zealand Whit- Gabali (0.64±0.081 )  .  Overall,  there  was  no  significant  difference  (P>0.05)  in  BSF  values  between  breeds.  The highest genetic distance was found between Baladi Red -Baladi Black (0.87) followed by Gabali, Baladi Red (0.86), Gabali, Baladi Black(0.82), New Zealand White, Gabali (0.80), New Zealand White,Baladi Red (0.75) and the lowest genetic distance was found between New Zealand White,Baladi Black(0.73). One primer (OPA-20)  in Gabali ,  two  primers(OPA-02,OPB-14) in Baladi Red, three primers (OPA-02,OPB-14, OPA-20) in New Zealand White and Baladi Black were found to be specific for these breeds. The study suggests that RAPD can be successfully utilized for detecting genetic variation among the studied rabbit breeds.