Hemoglobin types in Saanen goats and Barbary sheep: genetic and comparative aspects.

By the use of the Immobiline technique at pH ranges 7.0-7.6 and 6.9-7.9, 16 different hemoglobin (Hb) phenotypes were observed in 61 English Saanen goats. They are explained in this breed by a genetic theory of five beta-globin genes (A4, A6, A8, E, and D) and two closely linked alpha-globin loci ('alpha and "alpha) of which the "alpha has a variant allele, provisionally called "alpha X. Family data together with observed and expected Hb frequencies were in agreement with the genetic theory. Among six Barbary sheep there were three Hb phenotypes explained by the occurrence of the beta-chain alleles B and Cna.