GENETIC DISTANCES OF HSP70 GENE IN WHITE FULANI AND MUTURU CATTLE

ABSTRACT

The HSP70 gene is essential for stress tolerance and adaptation in cattle. This study investigates the genetic distances of the HSP70 gene in White Fulani and Muturu cattle, two indigenous Nigerian breeds with distinct ecological distributions. DNA extraction, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were conducted to determine genetic variation and evolutionary divergence. In the course of the study, Three (3) DNA samples were obtained from each genetic group following DNA extraction and quantification in order to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HSP70 gene finding. Primers 3 and the blast option from the NCBI database (www.ncbi.nlm.gov) were utilized to construct the primer used for PCR amplification of the target gene (cattle HSP70). The results reveal significant genetic differences, suggesting adaptive evolution and breed-specific selection pressures. The pair-wise similarity/distance matrix presented in the study indicates genetic relationships between the studied Muturu and White Fulani cattle. The genetic distance values ranged from 0.000 to 0.6972, suggesting varying degrees of genetic relatedness. Notably, the highest genetic distance (0.6972) was observed between White Fulani (W2) and Muturu cattle, whereas the lowest values were detected among Muturu individuals, emphasizing their genetic closeness