A study of genomic polymorphism and diversity in sheep breeds in northeastern Anatolia

An investigation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers was performed to determine the breed-specific primers and designate the RAPD fingerprints and genetic diversities of sheep breeds (Morkaraman, Akkaraman, Tuj and Hemshin) in northeastern Anatolia. The DNA samples were isolated from a total of 91 animals from four breeds, and 50 random primers were screened. Estimation of genetic relationships between the breeds revealed two clearly distinct groups of breeds: one consisted of the Morkaraman and Akkaraman breeds, and the other consisted of the Tuj and Hemshin breeds.