Genetic map of AFLP markers in the rat (Rattus norvegicus) derived from the H x B/Ipcv and B x H/Cub sets of recombinant inbred strains.

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique has been used to enhance marker density in a large set of recombinant inbred strains (H × B and B × H) derived from a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR/OlaIpcv) and a Brown-Norway (BN.lx/Cub) inbred strain. Thirteen different primer combinations were tested and a total of 191 polymorphic bands were detected. From these polymorphic bands 89 AFLP markers could be assigned to specific chromosomes. Several of these AFLP markers were mapped to regions with low marker density, thus filling up gaps in the existing genetic map of these recombinant inbred strains. These results substantiate the value of the AFLP technology in increasing marker density in genetic maps.