| dc.contributor | Quach, T.A., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Villagómez, D.A.F., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada, Departamento de Producción Animal, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico; Coppola, G., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada, Centro Fecondazione Assistita (CFA-Italy), Napoli, Italy; Pinton, A., UMR 444 INRA-ENVT, Génétique Cellulaire, Toulouse, France; Hart, E.J., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Reyes, E.R., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Basrur, P.K., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; King, W.A., Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada | |
| dc.description.abstract | Chromosome abnormalities are well known for their negative impact on the reproductive performance of carriers. Such abnormalities could have severe effect on animal industries which rely heavily on efficient reproduction. We conducted a cytogenetic survey of breeder pigs from 4 different Canadian farms to investigate the frequency of chromosome abnormalities and to assess their reproductive impact on pig populations. Our study revealed that 50% of the 'hypoprolific' boars and 2.5% of the young boars raised for service in artificial insemination were carriers of chromosome anomalies while no chromosome defect was noted in any of the 'proven' breeder boars. G-banding technique to determine the type of abnormalities detected 3 previously unreported translocations involving chromosomes 1 and 6, chromosomes 10 and 13 and chromosomes 9 and 14. The reciprocal nature of these translocations was confirmed either using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique or immunostaining for synaptonemal complex delineation and were named rcp(1;6)(p22,q12), rcp(10;13), and rcp(9;14) (p24;q27), respectively. Prolificacy of 1/6 and 10/13 translocation carriers was noted to be reduced by more than 40% compared to their normal counterparts while it was reduced by 26% in carriers of the 9/14 translocation. Carriers of 1/6 and 9/14 translocations displayed a higher repeat breeding tendency, compared to their herd average (5 and 16%, respectively). While for the 9/14 translocation the prevalence of stillbirths was lower than that in their herd [8.7 vs. 10.4% (p < 0.001)]. The present results, albeit based on a relatively small number of pigs, indicate that the prevalence of chromosome abnormalities could be much higher in Canadian pigs compared to that reported in European pigs and underline the urgent need to initiate cytogenetic screening programs as one of the effective ways to reduce reproductive problems in Canadian pig populations. © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel. | |
