[Study of the Lpm-system of mink allotypes in relation to Aleutian mink disease]

Data on comparative study of the Lpm system of allotypes in minks of sovkhoz populations affected and nonaffected by Aleutian disease are presented. Significant interpopulational differences for frequencies of several Lpm genes of the second category (of corresponding haplo-, allo- and phenotypes) are revealed. This category includes genes species-specific for Mustela vison which make the main contribution to Lpm polymorphism. Seven minks with Lpm 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11 and Lpm 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 phenotypes, unknown earlier, have been found in the stationary hotbeds of Aleutian disease. They are most probably caused by the appearance and spreading of the recombinant haplotype Lpm in these populations. The data obtained are discussed from the point of view of their possible connection with epizootic of Aleutian disease.