Testing of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in Population of Two Nigerian Local Chicken Ecotypes Base on Location

Abstract

Test of deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectation base on location of the Tiv and Fulani local chicken ecotypes of Nigeria was undertaken using eighty (80) matured birds (40 birds each for Tiv and Fulani ecotypes). Blood samples were collected from five locations each of the ecotype to determine their blood protein. Blood protein loci namely: haemoglobin, albumen, transferrin and carbonic anhydrase were determine using electrophoresis. Data collected were analyzed using popgene version 1.31. The result revealed significant deviations (P<0.05) from Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the two ecotypes except in the Fulani ecotype were haemoglobin did not deviate significantly. Based on location, there were no significant (P>0.05) deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations in the Fulani ecotype except in location 4 were Hb, Al and Ca as well as location 5 where Al and Ca were significant. Allelic frequencies of albumin showed significant (P<0.05) deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations at locations 1 and 5 while allelic frequencies of transferrin deviated significantly (P<0.05) from the Hardy-Weinberg frequency at location 5. In the Tiv ecotype, albumin showed the highest significant (P<0.05) deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations in all locations. The allelic frequencies of transferrin did not differ significantly (P>0.05) from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations. From the finding of this research, it was concluded that the deviation from Hardy-Weinberg expectations at the four blood proteins loci of the two ecotypes indicated that the Tiv and the Fulani chicken populations are variable in their genome and that there are chances of genetic improvement when crossed between themselves across location or with exotic breeds. Generally, these findings provide the fundamental step in the direction of judicious decision-making before the development of genetic enhancement and preservation programmes without interfering with the uniqueness of the Tiv............