Meiotic peculiarities in hybrid buffalo.
The two varieties of the Water buffalo (Bubalis bubalis var. bubalis and Bubalis bubalis var. carabao) have 2n = 50 and 2n = 48 karyotypes, respectively. The F1 hybrids are thought to exhibit a karyotype of 2n = 49 and are known to be fertile. Meiosis was studied in 10 hybrid water buffalo bulls. Karyotypes of the bulls were prepared from leukocyte cultures and testicular biopsy samples in a routine manner and examined. Phenotypically the bulls showed characteristics of the hybrid buffalo. Five of the bulls carried 2n = 50 and 5 had 2n = 49. Multivalent chromosomes were found in diakinesis (metaphase I) cells of bulls with 2n = 49 karyotypes. Synapses were found in bulls of both karyotypes.
Guiraaraes
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Escola de Veterinaria da UFMG, Departamento de Zootecnia, Caixa Postal 567, CEP 31161-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Pinheiro
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Guimaraes
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