Serums from 390 Norwegian blood donors and 31 members of two families were studied by starch gel electrophoresis. Five different prealbumin phenotypes were found, indicating a genetic theory of three codominant alleles for which the terms Pr(F), Pr(M), and Pr(S) are proposed.

No abstract

The equine alpha globin gene complex comprises two functional alpha genes and an alpha-like pseudogene arranged in the order 5'-alpha 2-(5kb)-alpha 1-(3kb)-psi alpha-3'. A single (embryonic) zeta-like sequence lies within a 12 kb region 5' to the alpha 2 gene. We have determined the sequence of the alpha 1 gene of the BII haplotype, one of two most common haplotypes (the other being BI) which encode alpha globins with either Tyr (BI) or Phe (BII) at codon 24 in both linked alpha genes. In BI and BII the non-allelic alpha 2 and alpha 1 genes respectively code for Gln or Lys at codon 60, thus accounting for the 4 alpha globin types seen in BI/BII heterozygotes. Genomic restriction enzyme maps of the BII alpha complex (24Phe/60Lys,Gln) and the allelic BI (24Tyr/60Lys,Gln) are identical to each other, and to those of a rarer normal haplotype, A, which encodes only alpha 24Tyr/60Gln globin, and a low expression mutant of BII which encodes only 24Phe/60Lys globin. These two latter haplotypes must therefore have a linked pair of alpha genes, as in BI and BII, but with identical coding properties, and it is suggested that this has arisen by gene conversion.

From a comparative survey of reports on cattle Hb variants it is concluded that prior to the present communication the occurrence of at least seven different adult Hb molecules have been reported.In addition comes the finding of a new Hb variant called HbG which is reported in this study. This was found in three animals among 101 East African Zebu cattle. It migrated more slowly than any cattle H b variant previously reported and made up 20% of total Hb.The gene frequencies of the East African Zebu population were: HbA = 0.52, HbB = 0.32, HbC = 0.14 and HbG = 0.01. Agric. Res. 2: 93-94a.cattle.

Lod scores for linkage of the albumin and Gc loci have been calculated for 21 pedigrees in which six different types of albumin variants are segregating. There is no evidence for heterogeneity in the linkage distance among the different types of variants. The most likely value for the recombination fraction in the combined data is at Ô = 0.023.

No abstract

No abstract

The occurrence of Hb N in sheep has been investigated by means of starch gel electrophoresis.In lambs, Hb N occurred in higher relative amounts than in adults, but not until 9 days of age. One-month-old lambs often showed an Hb N content as high as 10–30%.Haemoglobin N was observed most in sheep of phenotype AA, less in those of type AB and was found to be absent in BB animals. It was also provoked experimentally by bleedings in sheep of types AA and AB but not in those of type BB.Comparisons between breeds showed differences in the expression of Hb N. It occurred most regularly in Old Norwegian sheep (Spæl), but usually in concentrations of less than 1%. Hb N was, however, also found in other Norwegian breeds, in Cheviots and in Spanish sheep but not in sheep of the Oxford Down breed.In two flocks of Spæl and Dala sheep where frequent bleedings were made, Hb N was observed at all times of the year.