Genetic variation at pig plasma protein locus PLP1 and its assignment to chromosome 5

A new genetic polymorphism of an unidentified plasma protein (PLP1) in pigs was described by using a method of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and protein staining. Two codominant alleles, with frequencies of 0.83 and 0.17, were found in the Swedish Yorkshire breed. The PLP1 marker was typed in a three-generation pedigree and tested for linkage against a set of 128 markers. The PLP1 locus showed significant LOD score values with three different microsatellite markers (S0092, DAGK and S005), previously assigned to chromosome 5.     

Evolution of resident oral bacterial biota in BALB/c mice during pregnancy and lactation

To assess the influence of pregnancy and lactation on the oral microbial ecology of BALB/c mice, we followed the distribution of the predominant oral bacteria of four groups of these mice during these two periods. Compared with nonpregnant control female mice of the same age maintained under the same conditions, the distribution of the resident oral bacterial species differed significantly only during the lactation period (8–16 days after parturition). This difference could possibly be attributed to hormonal influences and/or grooming habits.