Further studies on sheep polymorphic erythrocyte diaphorase

Three phenotypes of glucosephosphate isomerase in sheep: improved staining recipe

Contrary to results published recently, we observe three, rather than two, phenotypes for the enzyme glucosephosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9) from sheep. The phenotypic electrophoretic patterns conform to the patterns observed for this dimeric enzyme in other species. Genotype frequencies in a flock of Southdowns do not deviate significantly from those predicted under the assumption of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A remarkable observation is that the electrophoretically distinct phenotypes of GPI are largely or entirely obliterated by the addition of 1-10 mmol/l MgCl2 to the electrophoretic buffers. Modification of the usual staining recipe for GPI result in greater resolution and shorter staining times.

Genetic linkage analysis between protein polymorphisms and the FecB major gene in sheep

A genetically linked marker locus is sought for the Booroola gene (FecB), a major gene which confers increased prolificacy in sheep. We examined 18 polymorphic proteins in sheep and found 10 to be informative in half-sib families where the Booroola gene was segregating. Recombination was observed between each of the protein loci and the Booroola gene. The loci and exclusion distance for each (calculated as the recombination fraction where the lod score was equal to -2.0) are as follows: NADH diaphorase, DIA1 (9.2 cM); arylesterase, EsA (11.9 cM); haemoglobin beta chain, HBB (17.5 cM); leucine amino peptidase, LAP (19.7 cM); malic enzyme, ME1 (14.8 cM); ovine plasminogen antigen, OPA (12.6 cM); alpha-1-protease inhibitor, PI2 (5.7 cM), erythrocyte 'X' protein, Prot-X (25.3 cM); post transferrin, PTF (2.2 cM); transferrin, TF (33.8 cM).

Genetic polymorphism of erythrocyte diaphorase in red deer, Cervus elaphus L

NADH diaphorase polymorphism was identified in red deer erythrocyte lysates using starch gel electrophoresis and activity staining. The inheritance of the polymorphism was consistent with predictions of autosomal codominant inheritance of two alleles DIA1F and DIAS. In New Zealand's four main feral red deer populations (n = 188) the DIA1F allele frequency ranged from 0.491 to 0.985. A sample of North American wapiti (n = 42) was monomorphic for the DIA1F allele.

Comparative aspects of biochemical polymorphism in the blood of Caprinae species and their hybrids

Biochemical variation at 14 blood loci was reviewed, and specific features compared experimentally in sheep Ovis aries, mouflon Ovis musimon, goat Capra hircus, aoudad Ammotragus Iervia and in 2 stillborn aoudad X goat hybrids. Variation at 3 loci was also studied in dall sheep Ovis dalli, bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis and rocky mountain goat Oreamnos americanus. Haemoglobin C production in an anaemic Hb AB mouflon and in mouflon X sheep hybrids was examined. Mouflon differ from domestic sheep in that synthesis of both Hb beta A and Hb beta B chains is switched off during Hb C production. The mouflon X sheep hybrids switched off one or both chains depending on whether they had inherited sheep or mouflon Hb beta chain genes. In general aoudad showed a closer affinity to goats than to sheep.

NADH diaphorase polymorphism in goat erythrocytes

This paper describes for the first time polymorphism of the erythrocyte diaphorase in goats. Three diaphorase 1 phenotypes were observed in the red cells of goats. Breeding data indicated that polymorphism was controlled by two autosomal codominant alleles, DiaF and DiaS, the frequencies of which were determined in 14 different Spanish breeds of goat.

Genetic variations in blood proteins within and between Spanish dairy sheep breeds

Eleven flocks of three Spanish sheep breeds have been studied: four Churra, four Lacha and three Manchega. Genetic variations between flocks of the same and different breeds have been analysed, using eight genetic blood systems and a wide range of statistical methods. The results show that the Churra, Lacha and Manchega breeds present significant differences between each other. Significant intraracial variations have been observed in Churras and Lachas, although they were almost non-existent in Manchegas. In some cases the genetic distances between flocks of the same breed were greater than the distances between flocks of different breeds. The data indicate that the closest breeds genetically are Lacha and Manchega.

Hemotypes in Spanish sheep breeds

The structure and the genetic diversity of the Churra, Lacha and Manchega sheep breeds have been analysed using hemotypes observed in eight loci. The three breeds are different in their hemotypes in terms both of quantity and quality. The proportions of unique hemotypes in Churra (60%), Lacha (61%) and Manchega (67%) revealed a high level of individual diversity within each breed. Racial genetic diversity follows the descending order of: Manchega-Lacha-Churra. The value of N:H (number of animals: total hemotypes) in the multi-racial population was 3.05.