Blood groups and serum protein polymorphisms in the Pitman-Moore and Ohmini strains of miniature pigs

The variations of blood groups and biochemical polymorphisms in the populations of the two miniature pig strains reared in Japan were investigated in this report. The variations in eight blood group systems were investigated by using serological techniques, and five serum protein systems by using starch gel electrophoresis. The Pitman-Moore strain showed no variations in K, O, Tf, Cp and Am systems, but showed plymorphisms in A,E,F,G,H,L,Pa and Hpx systems. The Ohmini strain showd no or little variations in E,F,G,Tf,Pa and Cp systems, but showed polymorphisms in A,H,K,L,O,Hpx and Am systems. From the results of investigation of genetic similarities among nine pig populations including various breeds, it was made clear that the two miniature pig strains were very different genetically, and the Pitman-Moore strain was genetically closer to European large pig breeds than to East Asian native pigs, while the Ohmini strain was close to Thai and Philippine natives.