Evaluation of heterogeneity in hemoglobins of Gallus domesticus and coturnix quail using disc-gel electrophoresis.

The heterogeneity in the hemoglobins of Gallus domesticus and Coturnix quail (Japonicum) was studied. Comparisons between a mutant hemoglobin type, the normal hemoglobin type and a heterozygous type were made in both species using disc-gel electrophoresis. The same heterogeneity of the primary hemoglobins as had previously been observed in these populations of chickens and quail by cellulose acetate electrophoresis was also observed using disc-gel electrophoresis. The same major hemoglobin component was observed in all the hemoglobin types, but the electrophoretic mibility of the minor component was different. In addition to the major and minor components which accounted for 93% of the total hemoglobin, four trace components were observed. One of these trace components (T) had previously been shown by cellulose acetate electrophoresis to be associated with the mutant minor hemoglobin. The other three trace components were in close proximity, but migrated anodally to the major, normal minor and mutant minor components. Their presence was not consistent and their concentration was usually at the lower limit of resolution. No differences could be detected between the electrophoretic mobility of the mutant hemoglobin of chickens and quails, suggesting that parallel mutations have occurred in the two species.