Further Studies on Some Antigenic Characters of Sheep Blood Determined by Epistatic Action of Genes

The Significance of a Multilocus Analysis for Assessing the Biodiversity of the Romanov Sheep Breed in a Comparative Aspect

The Romanov breed was evaluated using immunological and genetic markers. The seven blood group systems were characterized with a greater accuracy than in previous works on sheep in the Russian Federation, and were compared to eight ruminant species. Unlike other breeds, Romanov sheep shows a higher frequency of HB^A than HB^B alleles. There are 3-4 genotypes at the transferrin locus whereas in other breeds 6-11 genotypes have been found. At the albumin locus, the majority of the identified genotypes were heterozygotes, unlike in the other breeds studied. In the prealbumin locus, the Romanov breed was the only one where all the genotypes were heterozygous. We speculate that polymorphism at two loci (BMP-15 and BMPR1B) could effect on the high ovulation rates of Romanov sheep. Based on different genetic markers, the prevalence of heterozygotes in the Romanov sheep could determine their higher viability. A cluster analysis showed the close proximity of 12 populations of the Romanov breed, as the breeding stock come from the Yaroslavl region.

Relationships between blood groups and some wool characteristics in Egyptian coarse-wool fat-tailed sheep

The relationships between some wool characteristics and blood group genotypes (AaAa, AbAb, AaAC, AAb, ACand AbAc) were studied in Ossimi and Rahmani Egyptian fat-tailed breeds of sheep.

Interrupted medullation and coarse wool percentages and grade of wool were significantly related to blood group genotypes (P < 0·01). Fibre length and diameter and continuous medullation percentage were significantly related to genotype (P < 0·05). Staple length, number of crimps per cm, percentages of kemp, clean wool, impurities, moisture regain and fine wool were not significantly related to blood group genotype (P > 0·05).

Blood groups and biochemical polymorphism in the Namaqua sheep breed

The Namaqua is an indigenous fat-tailed African breed of sheep which has remained relatively isolated and which at one time dwindled to near extinction. Frequency data are given for blood group antigens, red cell glutathione and potassium types, for electrophoretic variants of red cell haemoglobin, 'X' protein, nucleoside phosphorylase, NADH-diaphorase, lysine and carbonic anhydrase and of plasma esterase, transferrin and albumin. Of particular interest was the occurrence of the i blood group, a bimodal distribution in red cell glutathione concentrations and red cell potassium concentrations of around 57 mmol/l cells, i.e. neither typically LK nor HK type.

Evaluation of linkage between the R-O-i and C blood group systems in sheep

Linkage between the C and I blood group loci in sheep was demonstrated by lod score analysis of data from double backcross matings. The recombination frequency between the I locus and the gene coding for the Cb red cell antigen was estimated to be 0.09 with a standard error of 0.04.

Canine blood groups. 2. Description of a new allele in the Tr blood group system

A previously unrecognized canine red cell antigen, tentatively named O, was found after absorption analysis of an alloimmune antiserum and absorption of several immune or naturally occurring cross-reacting heteroantibodies from man, cattle and swine. The serological results and genetic analysis of a limited number of complete dog families indicated that the new factor probably belongs to the Tr blood group system. No individual possessed both factors Tr and O, and a large proportion of animals was negative for both factors. The serological pattern for the new Tr system obtained was consistent with similar systems observed in sheep (A-O), pig (R-O) and man (Bombay) in which the gene for one factor was dominant over and masked the gene for the second factor in the system. The negative phenotype was accounted for by the actions of an epistatic gene.

Chemical characterization of porcine blood serum components with A and SLA activity

The porcine A blood group substance is found in the serum as a lipid and, additionally, in certain animals, as a glycoprotein. Swine lymphocyte antigens (SLA) occur in the serum only as glycoproteins. Heat treatment of the solid residue obtained by lipid extraction yielded a water-soluble fraction with low protein content, high A activity, but no SLA activity. Poly(glycosyl)ceramides with SLA activity do not occur in the serum; poly(glycosyl)ceramides with A activity cannot be excluded. Desialylation of protein fractions has no effect on A and SLA activity. Both A and SLA activities of protein fractions are stable to mild alkaline hydrolysis thus indicating N-glycosidic carbohydrate-peptide linkages.

The AB blood group system of cats

Holmes (1950) and Eyquem, Podliachouk & Milot (1962) classified feline erythrocytes into two types according to their reactions with naturally occurring antibodies in cats' plasmas. Eyquem et al. (1962) designated the two antigens, A and B, and this nomenclature has been retained in the present study. The blood group system, AB, was investigated in more detail, both genetically and serologically. Frequencies of 73.3% A and 26.3% B were found in a survey of 1895 Brisbane cats and in addition, a new phenotype, AB, was discovered with a low incidence of 0.4%. The results of the serological testing and limited family information suggested that the AB phenotype is inherited and not due to blood chimaerism. Preliminary genetic studies indicated that the A gene is dominant to the B in the usual situation and hypotheses to explain the occurrence of the AB phenotype are discussed. The incidence of naturally occurring antibodies was investigated in cats, with 95% of blood type B having anti-A and only 35% of type A having anti-B. No subgroups of the A and B antigens were detected and no blood group substances were found in the salivas of 37 cats. There was no evidence of any serological relationship of the feline A and B antigens with the human ABO antigens.

The transfer of J blood-group activity from J-containing bovine serum to J-negative erythrocytes

The J blood-group activity of bovine serum is contained both in a lipid and in a nonlipid fraction. This is also true for calf serum. It demonstrated that the J determinant is transferred from a serum protein onto the erythrocyte membrane by incubation in vitro. Even though the donor of J activity is a lipid-free serum protein (probably a glycoprotein), the transferred J activity is detectable only in the lipid fraction of erythrocytes. Thus, the J determinant (probably a carbohydrate unit) must have been detached from a serum glycoprotein and transferred to a lipidic receptor (probably a glycosphingolipid) at the erythrocyte membrane. It is suggested than an enzyme system located in or at the erythrocyte membrane is responsible for the transfer of J substance. The transfer of J substance is inhibited by a polar lipid present in bovine serum.

Distribution of the A blood-group activity in porcine serum

The A blood-group activity of pig serum is bound to a lipid, in some cases also to a nonlipid fraction. The major lipidic A activity (roughly 50%) is carried with the HDL class, while the VLDL and LDL classes contain roughly 25% each.