Cytogenetic Profile of Rajapalayam Dog Breed of Southern India

Abstract

Rajapalayam, an important dog breed of southern India which are maintained for guarding of farm houses and protection from wild animals. The aim of the present investigation is to study the karyology of this important dog population for cytological profiling. Metaphase plates were prepared after culturing of lymphocytes isolated from heparinized blood collected from animals of both the sexes. Giemsa banding, centromeric index, arm ratio and relative length were estimated through standard protocol. The cytogenetic profile of Rajapalayam dog is different from that of Chinese Raccoon and Japanese Raccoon dogs which belongs to Canidae family with a basic chromosome number of 78 without B chromosome. The X chromosomes are longer in bitches than that of in dogs. Giemsa banding analysis revealed higher number of bands (272) distributed among the 38 chromosome in Indian dog breed as compared to that Chinese Raccoon dog. The results of the present study gave insight knowledge to the researchers, dog breeders and kennel clubs about the karyology of Indian dog breeds and to know about any chromosomal abnormalities which may leads to fertility, growth and phenotypic abnormality related problems in this dog breed.