Objective: To analyze the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region sequence variation in Tibet Mini-Pigs in relation to the blood parameters and provide the molecular genetic basis for developing new species of laboratory animals.
Methods: The genomic DNA was extracted from the whole blood samples of 59 Tibet mini-pigs to amplifying the mtDNA D-loop for sequence analysis. Nine physiological and nine biochemical blood parameters of Tibet mini-pigs were measured .
Results: Based on the variation of the tandem repeat motif, the mtDNA D-loop region of Tibet mini-pigs was classified into two types, namely type A and B with the percentage of 57.6% and 42.4%, respectively, roughly matching the 3 transform sites (305, 500, 691) at the 5' end. In the 18 blood parameters, only red blood cell count showed significant differences between types A and (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Based on the sequence variation of the mtDNA D-loop region, Tibet mini-pigs can be divided into two types that show a significant difference in red blood cell count.