Tools of the trade: diagnostics and research in domestic animal cytogenetics

This paper describes the most common cytogenetic techniques we routinely adopt in our laboratories for producing high-resolution banding on prometaphase stage chromosomes, from synchronized or nonsynchronized blood cultures. Special emphasis is given to the FISH procedures applied to prometaphase chromosomes for mapping purposes. Each section includes historical information, basic principles for the given technique, its primary use in veterinary cytogenetics, and major limitations. Supplementary material (protocols and chemicals used) are available on our website. Even though these techniques mainly refer to the Bovidae, they can be easily extended and adapted to members of other taxa.     

Mitomycin C-induced sister chromatid exchange in X chromosomes of Bovidae

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in early- and late-replicating X chromosomes of seven female cattle (Bos taurus L.) and five female river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) were studied in untreated lymphocytes and lymphocytes treated with mitomycin C (MMC). In the experiment, 577 SCEs on X chromosomes of MMC-untreated cells and 825 SCEs on X chromosomes of MMC-treated cells from both species were observed. No significant differences between the number of SCEs in early- and late-replicating X chromosomes were found even when singular species and subjects were considered.     

Development of a sequential multicolor-FISH approach with 13 chromosome-specific painting probes for the rapid identification of river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n = 50) chromosomes

The development of new molecular techniques (array CGH, M-FISH, SKY-FISH, etc.) has led to great advancements in the entire field of molecular cytogenetics. However, the application of these methods is still very limited in farm animals. In the present study, we report, for the first time, the production of 13 river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n?=?50) chromosome-specific painting probes, generated via chromosome microdissection and the DOP-PCR procedure. A sequential multicolor-FISH approach is also proposed on the same slide for the rapid identification of river buffalo chromosome/arms, namely, 1p-1q, 2p-2q, 3p-3q, 4p-4q, 5p-5q, 18, X, and Y, using both conventional and late-replicating banded chromosome preparations counterstained by DAPI. The provided ‘bank’ of chromosome-specific painting probes is useful for any further cytogenetic investigation not only for the buffalo breeds, but also for other species of the family Bovidae, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, for chromosome abnormality diagnosis, and, more generally, for evolutionary studies.