Origen genético del ovino criollo mexicano (Ovis aries) por el análisis del gen del Citocromo C Oxidasa subunidad I

In order to learn about the mitochondrial genetic origin of Mexican creole sheep populations, blood samples from 106 of these animals were collected in the Mexican States of Chiapas, Puebla, Morelos, Hidalgo and Veracruz. Samples were collected from creole-Suffolk admixed (n=23), Pelibuey (n=15) and Black Belly (n=6) sheep. Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (COXI) is located in the mitochondrion. This fragment has a polymorphic site for the HinfI enzyme in the 5562-5566 position that allows for differentiating between Asian and European genotypes of Ovis aries. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used. A 1053 base pair (bp) fragment of the COX 1 gene was amplified then digested with the HinfI restriction enzyme. All samples from creole sheep and creole crosses revealed the genotype B of the COX 1 gene. Nevertheless, only one Black Belly animal had genotype A. Therefore, local Mexican sheep (creole, Chiapas and Pelibuey breeds) belong to the European lineage. Evidence exists that animals descending from Western Africa sheep possess Asiatic mitochondria.