Introduction of two chromosomal translocations of Sus scrofa nigripes and Sus scrofa scrofa into the genome of Sus scrofa domestica

Summary Hybrids between wild and domestic pigs with two types of translocations in the karyotype were studied. The translocations of type I were first detected in a population of the Middle Asian wild boars. Type II was identified in a populations of the Central European subspecies. A large number of Middle Asian and Central European hybrids and their F₁-F₃ hybrids from crosses with domestic pigs were viable. By means of differential chromosome staining, the mechanism of the formation of synthetic karyotypes, as well as some features of translocation inheritance, were established.The introduction of two translocations into a single genome and the same chromosome set of these hybrids not only modified chromosome number, but also the composition of the linkage groups. The hybrids heterozygous for two translocations and their hybrid progeny are characterized by an obligatory heterozygozity for a large number of genes, gene complexes and linked genes. It is suggested that this heterozygozity may be associated with heterotic events. The use of such hybrids in pig breeding may provide heterosis for viability and productivity.     

Characteristics of sodium transport in pig (Sus scrofa) erythrocytes

Sodium content, sodium transport (ouabain-sensitive efflux rate of sodium, oMosNa; and ouabain-sensitive efflux rate constant of sodium, oKosNa), [3H]ouabain binding capacity, and Na+, K+-ATPase activity were measured in erythrocytes from young pigs (Sus scrofa). The sodium content, sodium transport, and the number of sodium pumps (assessed by ouabain binding capacity) were lower in the pig compared to the human erythrocytes. The efflux rate constant of sodium, oKosNa was 36% and the ouabain binding capacity was 60% of those in human, suggesting the degree of activation of sodium pump units is much lower.     

The high resolution R-banded karyotype of the domestic pig, Sus scrofa domestica L

A representative haploid R-banded karyotype of the domestic pig, and a diagrammatic representation of the banding patterns at the 550 band level are presented.     

Regional assignments of NP and MPI on chromosome 7 in pig, Sus scrofa

Summary. Fibroblasts from a pig with a spontaneous reciprocal translocation involving chromosome 7, were used to prepare a set of pig-mouse somatic cell hybrids. The isozyme analysis strongly indicated that in pigs, the NP (nucleoside phosphorylase) gene is located on the distal part of the long arm of chromosome 7, (q21-qter), while the MPI (mannose phosphate isomerase) gene is in the region q21-pter. This confirmed previously reported chromosomal assignment of these genes in pigs and that this synteny has been evolutionarily conserved in several different animal species.     

The possibility of detecting fetal lymphocytes in the maternal blood of the domestic pig, Sus scrofa

Fourteen pregnant sows were examined to determine if transplacental migration of fetal lymphocytes had occurred. Giemsa-stained and C-banded karyotypes were examined. Male metaphases constituted 1% to 4% of all metaphases of peripheral blood leukocytes of pregnant sows. Regardless of the experimental method or stage of gestation, no essential differences were found in the number of male cells.     

Segmental aplasia in the uterus of a European wild pig (Sus scrofa)

This paper reports an instance of aplasia in the uterine horn of the European wild pig (Sus scrofa).     

Distribution of iron in pig placenta (Sus scrofa dom. L.)

Iron distribution was studied in pig placentae between 21 day till the end of pregnancy (113) with the use of histochemical and cytochemical methods and X-ray microanalysis. Iron content was measured in fetal and maternal part of the placenta with chemical methods. Iron presence was confirmed in maternal and fetal erythrocytes, cells and secretion of uterine glands and trace amount in trophoblast lining regular areolae. No significant differences were found in iron content in fetal and maternal part of the placenta throughout the entire studied period. With the applied histochemical method of iron determination according to Perls, potassium ferrocyanide also adsorbs in sites where mucopolysaccharides are present, in which iron presence has not been detected with the use of X-ray microanalysis.     

Comparative cytogenetic studies in Sus verrucosus,Sus celebensis and Sus scrofa vittatus (Suidae,Mammalia)

Chromosome studies on the Javan warty pig (Sus verrucosus), the Sulawesi warty pig (S. celebensis) and a subspecies of the wild boar, S. scrofa vittatus, have revealed diploid chromosome numbers of 38. The morphology and C-band size of chromosome 10 are different in S. verrucosus and the two other species. Both S. verrucosus and S. celebensis have a Y chromosome that is larger than the Y chromosome of domestic and wild S. scrofa, and is submetacentric rather than metacentric. There are differences between all three species in the G-banding pattern of the long arm of the Y chromosome. The presence of 2n=38 chromosomes in the Javan warty pig and the Sulawesi warty pig provides new strong evidence that the basic chromosome number in the genus Sus is 38. The differences in karyotype between these pigs (chromosome 10 and the Y chromosome) confirm that they are separate species.     

Chromosome restriction enzyme digestion in domestic pig (Sus scrofa) constitutive heterochromatin arrangement

The bimodal karyotype of pig appears to contain two types of constitutive heterochromatin, reflecting different satellite DNA families: GC-rich heterochromatin located mainly in the centromeric regions of the biarmed chromosomes, and less-GC-rich heterochromatin in the centromeric regions of the one-armed chromosomes. In order to better discriminate this constitutive heterochromatin, we treated pig chromosome preparations with eight different restriction endonucleases, followed by C-banding. This technique allowed an expedited characterization of the constitutive heterochromatin and demonstrated its great heterogeneity in pig chromosomes. Our work allowed the detection and identification of twenty-two heterochromatin subclasses (twelve centromeric, four interstitial, five telomeric, and the Yq band). Moreover, several cryptic interstitial and telomeric bands were revealed. The work presented here is useful not only for fundamental studies of chromosome banding and constitutive heterochromatin, but also offers a new approach for pig clinical cytogenetics.     

Mass spectral analysis of pig (Sus scrofa) apo HDL: Identification of pig apoA-II, a dimeric apolipoprotein

Comparative studies of mammalian high density lipoproteins have clearly indicated that the major apolipoprotein is apoA-I and in some mammals apoA-II is the second major apolipoprotein. However, in pigs, apoA-II has been considered to be either present in trace amounts or absent. Recently, cDNA sequences for pigs A-II have been entered into the database. Translation of these sequences revealed that pig A-II consisted of 77 amino acids and that a cysteine residue was at residue 6. The A-II of three other mammals, chimpanzees, horses and humans, also has a cysteine residue at this position. As a result of a disulfide bond formed between monomers, the A-II in each of these cases circulates as a homodimer. Using electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), we obtained molecular mass data demonstrating that dimeric apoA-II is also present in pig plasma. In addition to being the first to report on the presence of apoA-II in pig plasma, we also obtained values for the molecular masses of apoA-I, apoC-III, apoD and serum amyloid A protein.     

Intramural chronotopography of myocardial depolarization in the heart ventricles of the pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Multichannel synchronous cardioelectrotopography is used to analyze the sequence of myocardial depolarization in the ventricles of the pig heart. Formation of early depolarization areas has been established in subendocardium of interventricular septum and in the base of papillary muscles of the left ventricle; of multiple foci-in the thickness of myocardial walls; of areas of late depolarization-in subepicardium of the dorsolateral side of the left ventricle. In pig heart ventricles, as compared with other ungulates (reindeer and sheep) there are revealed differences in location of areas of the early and late depolarization areas and the breakthrough of excitation wave onto subepicardium.     

The GENETPIG database: a tool for comparative mapping in pig (Sus scrofa)

The GENETPIG database has been established for storing and disseminating the results of the European project: 'GENETPIG: identification of genes controlling economic traits in pig'. The partners of this project have mapped about 630 porcine and human ESTs onto the pig genome. The database collects the mapping results and links them to other sources of mapping data; this includes pig maps as well as available comparative mapping information. Functional annotation of the mapped ESTs is also given when a significant similarity to cognate genes was established. The database is accessible for consultation via the Internet at http://www.infobiogen.fr/services/Genetpig/.