Robertsonian Translocation Rob(13;19) Identified in Guinea Pig (<italic>Cavia porcellus</italic>, Rodentia).

INTRODUCTION

The domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus, Caviidae) is an important laboratory species, model for human medical research, worldwide spread pet and a source of food in specific parts of South America. Data on chromosomal abnormalities in guinea pigs are really limited, probably due to the complexity of their karyotype (2n = 64).

METHODS

G- and C-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using human chromosome-specific painting probes were used to analyze the karyotype and identify chromosomes involved in a newly discovered Robertsonian translocation.

RESULTS

Karyotype 63,XY,rob(13;19) was revealed in a phenotypically normal, fertile domestic guinea pig male. The chromosomes involved in the fusion were verified using FISH with human whole chromosome probes and known guinea pig - human chromosome synteny.

CONCLUSION

This finding adds to the limited cytogenetic data available on the guinea pig, and provides a basis for further investigation of their chromosomal variation and its biological significance. Our results indicate the need for chromosome studies in this cytogenetically mostly neglected species, especially in breeding populations used for biomedical research.