Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Relationships of Seven Chinese Indigenous Pig Breeds and Three Exotic Pig Breeds Using the DNA Differential Display Technique

The genetic diversity and relationships of seven Chinese indigenous pig breeds (Meishan, Erhualian, Hezuo, Bamei, Qingping, Tongcheng, and Huainan) and three exotic pig breeds (Large White, Landrace, and Duroc) were analyzed using the DNA differential display technique by means of eight primer combinations. A total of 123 reproducible bands were used to calculate mean Nei's gene diversity, and mean Shannon's information index for each pig population. Based on these the Nei's standard genetic identity and distance were estimated, which was used to construct a dendrogram tree for the 10 pig breeds. The experimental results obtained and the method used in this study for evaluating the genetic diversity and relationships of pigs were also discussed.