Induction of chromosomal fragile sites in goats: A preliminary study

Abstract

The current study describes the results obtained from different methods of detection of folate-sensitive fragile sites in goat chromosomes. Two different types of expression of chromosomal fragility have been observed: telomeric non-staining gaps, in 20 out of 21 animals studied, and chromatidic breaks in ten animals. The non-staining gaps have been identified mainly in chromosome 5, and their frequency of occurrence ranged from 30 to 66% of the cells. The chromatidic break occurrence ranged from 2 to 5% of the cells among the break carriers. From the methods used and the observed frequency of expression in cultures, the gaps were classified as common folate-sensitive fragile sites. Significant differences between the induction methods used were obtained.