Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Awassi-Iq (Ovies aries) sheep breeds from Nineveh Provinces, Iraq.

In Iraq, Awassi is the most widespread sheep breed on non-European origin. The breed adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions. Sheep farming, mainly sheep of Awassi breed, represents an essential economic activity of Iraq; however, so far, only very few genetic data exist on this breed. The present study was performed in Biology Department, University of Zakho. Thirty two Blood samples were obtained from Awassi-Iq (Ovis aries) sheep breed in three farms located in Nineveh province, Iraq. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit, Jena Bioscience GmbH (Germany). Specific marker (GenBank: NC001942) was amplifying 550 bps fragments of mitochondrial DNA. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized by staining with RedSafe dye, and photographed. Ten PCR products were sequenced and compared to sequences from other countries available in NCB1.The main results indicate Awassi- 1q (Ovis Aries) sheep breed share similarity to both Chines Tibetan sheep breed(Linzhou) ; Iranian sheep breed (91.37%) respectively, to both Iraqi sheep breeds Hamdani ; Nima (91.62%) respectively and to Ovis aries AKK- 46 from Turkey (92.35%). However, Awassi-Iq was shown to be monophyletic, out group breed and diverged earlier than related breeds (Turkey, Iran, and China). This study highlights the importance of Mitochondrial DNA analysis in genetic study of sheep breeds.