EVALUATING GENOMIC DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (gDNA) OF PARENTS AND OFFSPRING TOWARDS DETERMINING RICKETS HEREDITARY LINK IN GONIN GORA, KASO AND JANKASA COMMUNITIES IN KADUNA STATE

ABSTRACT

Rickets is still a debilitating disease in various communities of Jankasa, Kaso and Gonin Gora in which about 3-7 percent of the population is affected. Genomic Deoxyribonucleic acid (gDNA) of parents and offspring were evaluated towards determining rickets hereditary link in the population. Four families from Jankasa, Kaso and two families from Gonin Gora composed of father, mother, child without rickets and child with rickets each were used for the study.

The DNA were extracted using zymo DNA extraction kits, they were quantified and purified using Biophotometer and gel electrophoresis respectively. Gel was viewed under ultra violet light and documented. The DNA was then restricted and amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

The blood samples of parents and offspring from Kaso, Jankasa and Gonin Gora showed bands which indicated the presence of DNA. Lower concentrations of gDNA were observed for the rickets children who could be due to the fact that blood formation occurs in the long bone and Rickets is the long bone disease. Comparison of mean concentration (µg/ml) between rickets and non Rickets afflicted children using T-test gives 1.6 calculated as opposed 1.73 tabulated suggesting no significant difference at 95% confidence interval.

The isolated DNA from all blood samples were restricted, the restricted fragment length polymorph of DNA used in PCR showed that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene for hereditary vitamin D resistant rickets (HVDRR) was successfully amplified in rickets children and gave smear amplification in parents and children without rickets at the same PCR cycle.

The study concluded that there is an hereditary link in the rickets disorder affecting Kaso, Jankasa and Gonin Gora communities.  .