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Abnormalities of the Female Genital Organs in Mink Heterozygous for the Heggedal Factor Shadow Factor

Missbildungen der Geschlechtsorgane bei Nerz-Weibchen, die bezüglich des H egg edal-F aktors (Shadow-Faktors SH) heterozygot sind

Misdannelser av kjönnsorganene hos minktisper heterozygote for Heggedalfaktoren (Shadow faktor en SH)

Summary

In Sapphire Shadow (aa pp SHs), Blue Shadow (AA pp SHs) and Blue Shadow Carrier for Aleutian (Aa pp SHs) a malformation of the female genital organs has been demonstrated and described. The malformations seem to be restricted to the areas which are formed by the Müllerian ducts and chiefly affect the vagina and cervix, corpus and cornua uteri, whilst the uterine tubes are as a rule normal.

Among females which are empty after their first breeding season the frequency of these malformations was almost 42 % and among virginal young females 18.5 %.

The abnormalities seem to be due to a pleiotropic, possibly sexlimited effect of the Heggedal factor (Shadow factor SH). With respect to these malformations, the Heggedal factor acts as a dominant hereditary factor with incomplete penetrance and varying expressivity. The penetrance in the females was approximately 18.5 % (18.54 ±2.71).

A method for demonstrating the malformations in live mink is described.

Zusammenfassung

Bei Saphir Shadow (aa pp SHs), Blue Shadow (AA pp SHs) und Blue Shadow Carrier für Aleutian (Aa pp SHs) wird eine Missbildung der weiblichen Geschlechtsorgane nachgewiesen und beschrieben. Die Missbildungen scheinen auf die von den Müllerschen Gängen gebildeten Bereiche begrenzt zu sein und berühren vorzugsweise Vagina und Cervix, Corpus und Cornua Uteri, während die Tubae Uterinae im allgemeinen unberührt bleiben.

Unter gepaarten unfruchtbaren Weibchen nach der ersten Sexualsaison betrug die Häufigkeit dieser Missbildungen fast 42 %, und unter virginalen jungen Weibchen 18,5 %.

Die Missbildungen scheinen auf eine pleiothrope, möglicherweise geschlechtsbegrenzte Wirkung des Heggedal-Faktors (Shadow-Faktors) zurückzuführen zu sein. Bezüglich dieser Missbildungen entsteht der Eindruck eines dominanten Erbfaktors mit unvollständiger Penetranz und variabler Expressivität. Die Penetranz bei den Weibchen betrug etwa 18,5 % (18,54 ± 2,71).

Ein Verfahren zum Nachweis der Missbildungen bei Lebenden Nerzen wird beschrieben.

Sammendrag

Hos Safir Shadow (aa pp SHs), Blue Shadow (AA pp SHs) og Blue Shadow Carrier for Aleutian (Aa pp SHs) er det påvist og beskrevet en misdannelse av de hunlige kjönnsorganer. Misdannelsene synes å være begrenset til de områder som dannes av de Müllerske ganger og rammer fortrinsvis vagina og cervix, corpus og cornua uteri, mens tubae uterinae som regel er normale.

Blant parete, ikke drektige tisper etter förste avlssesong var hyppigheten av disse misdannelser nesten 42 % og blant virginelle ungtisper 18,5 %.

Misdannelsene synes å bero på en pleiotrop, muligens kjönnsbegrenset virkning av Heggedalfaktoren (Shadowfaktoren). Med hensyn til disse misdannelser, virker den som en dominant arvefaktor med ufullstendig penetrans og varierende ekspressivitet. Penetransen hos tispene var omlag 18,5 % (18,54 ± 2,71).

En metode til påvisning av misdannelsene hos levende mink er beskrevet.

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These investigations have been carried out with the aid of the Agricultural Research Council of Norway and of The Norwegian Fur Breeder’s Association.

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Nes, N. Abnormalities of the Female Genital Organs in Mink Heterozygous for the Heggedal Factor Shadow Factor. Acta Vet Scand 6, 65–99 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03547068

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