Blood groups as genetic markers in chimpanzees: Their importance for the national chimpanzee breeding program

Abstract

Severe restrictions on the importation of chimpanzees emphasize the importance and urgency of domestic breeding as a sole means to assure an uninterrupted supply of animals for medical research. An insight into the genetic structure of the self-sustained captive population of animals is indispensable to prevent the effects of inbreeding and to preserve the animals' reproductive capacity. This can be achieved by study of sets of genetic markers in the form of heritable molecular or antigenic variations detectable by relatively simple methods. Among chimpanzee blood components so far identified as possible genetic markers, red cell antigens appear to be the most useful and most readily available. The amount of information concerning blood groups of chimpanzees, their serology and genetics, number of polymorphic types, etc, surpasses data on other heritable traits in this species. A concise review of the present status of knowledge of chimpanzee blood groups and, particularly, of serology and genetics of two complex blood group systems, V-A-B-D and R-C-E-F, is given together with a few examples of their application in cases of disputed parentage. Finally, a list of practical steps is suggested dealing with introduction and use of genetic markers as elements of the national chimpanzee breeding program.

Red cell polymorphisms in nonhuman primates: A review

“…The two complex chimpanzee blood group systems (V-A-B- D and R-C-E-F) and a set of unrelated red cell specificities offer altogether 67 polymorphic types, more than all the remaining polymorphic marker systems combined. The usefulness of blood grouping tests in solving problems of doubtful paternity and in assessing the pedigrees of captive chimpanzees was proven in family studies [64]. Sullivan and his group computed paternity exclusion probabilities in randomly chosen rhesus males when red cells of males, females, and offspring were tested with antisera of 21 specificities.…”

Blood groups in the species survival plan®, European endangered species program, and managed in situ populations of bonobo (Pan paniscus), common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), gorilla (Gorilla ssp.), and orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus ssp.)

“…In contrast, common chimpanzees were available routinely from laboratory situations and so were assessed in large numbers (∼500 individuals) from as early as 1911 [Socha and Moor‐Jankowski, 1978; Socha, 1981; Socha et al, 1984] and smaller in situ numbers ( n = 40) in the 1960s [Eyquem et al, 1962]. Predominantly, blood group A was reported in common chimpanzees throughout this literature, with group O present comparably (2.5–12%) to that in SSP and EEP collections of this study (5.2%) [Weiner and Gordon, 1960; Wiener et al, 1963; Eyquem et al, 1962; Moor‐Jankowski and Wiener, 1964; Socha and Moor‐Jankowski, 1978].…”

“…Blood group determination, or “blood typing,” is performed within a species for management purposes of genetic variation, pedigree validation, forensics, and determination of taxonomic relationships [Socha, 1981; Crouse and Vincek, 1995; Saitou and Yamamoto, 1997; Penedo, 1993]. Medically, this technique is the cornerstone of effective blood transfusion as it categorizes potential donors to reduce likelihood for donor–recipient mistransfusion [Socha, 1981; Socha et al, 1984; Feldman, 1999; Giger, 2000; Seltsam et al, 2003; Stieger et al, 2005]. Equally important, although often misunderstood, is cross‐matching.…”

“…Blood group investigation was limited in nonhuman primates—except in common chimpanzees until 1940, which follows the discovery of Rh‐factor and its impact on human neonatal medicine [Socha et al, 1984; Kendig, 2007]. The great apes were considered potential human models with substantial numbers of studies in laboratory‐housed chimpanzees in 1925, and limited number of zoological or in situ samples for chimpanzees and other great ape species in the 1960s and 1970s [Weiner and Gordon, 1960; Eyquem et al, 1962; Wiener et al, 1963, 1976; Weiner and Moor‐Jankowski, 1972; Socha et al, 1984, 1993; Moor‐Jankowski et al, 1975; Socha, 1981]. The great ape literature in this field then became quiescent, until DNA‐based genotyping led to molecular description of the ABO blood group genes and interpretive phylogeny in nonhuman primate evolution during the last 20 years [Yamamoto et al, 1990; Yazer, 2005].…”

The Bp Graded Blood Group System of the Baboon: Its Relationship with Macaque Red Cell Antigens

“…The antisera are listed in table I. As evidenced by population and family studies, the primate red cell antigens defined by blood grouping tests are heritable traits, and, therefore, can be used as genetic markers [Socha, 1981]. Their relative value as mark ers significantly increases when they are interrelated among themselves, being part of a multi-allelic genetic system.…”