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Department of Dairy Science, The Ohio State University, and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Columbus 43210
ABSTRACT
Development of cytological techniques over the last 20 yr enables accurate and detailed observations of the chromosomes of mammals and birds. Various applications for cytogenetic methodology in animal science research are suggested. Much of the pregnancy wastage in farm animals may be caused by abnormal chromosome complements of afflicted zygotes. To reduce embryonic loss, the causal bases of chromosomal abnormalities should be sought. Many therapeutic agents administered to animals, as well as herbicides, pesticides, feed additives, and other products mediate undesirable side effects. Karyological methods are useful to detect chromosomal damage or irregular mitosis or meiosis which are indicators of toxicity and carcinogenic activity.
It is probable that polymorphisms of "banding patterns" of chromosomes are sufficiently widespread to enable identification of individual animals and authentication of pedigree. The study of relationships of animals within populations and among populations also will be enhanced by application of chromosome banding techniques to livestock.
In animal breeding, cytogenetic methodology is applied to test assumptions of theory. New sources of genetic variation may be chromosome rearrangements, duplications, aneuploidy, and euploidy. When applied to cells in culture and combined with modern methods of molecular biology, cytogenetic technique can help discover new loci, assign genes to specific chromosomes, and create genetically modified cell lines which can be introduced into the germ line of animal populations.
1 Approved for publication as Journal Article No. 119-78 of The Ohio Agricultural Research and Develpment Center.
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