SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGES IN RIVER BUFFALO FEMALES WITH CHROMOSOMAL FRAGILITY

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) technique is considered a very important test to check potential damage to the DNA, expressed by chromosomal fragility and associated with high rates of SCEs. In the present study we report the preliminary results of our investigation on chromosomal fragility identified in buffalo chromosomes and the relationship with the increased SCE levels. The karyotype analyses carried out on a group of 16 river buffalo females selected and treated for hormonal stimulation and on a control group of 16 normal river buffalo females revealed that three of the treated females were found to carry a higher number of breakages/cell comparative with the control group. The mean number of SCE/cell in the three treated females was higher (X=11.8) than that of those observed in the control group (X=7.8).