The variety of sterility and gradual progression to fertility in hybrids of the horse and donkey.
Abstract: Generally speaking, the majority of F1 hybrids between the horse and donkey are sterile and do conform to the hypothesis of gametogenic breakdown. The results of our own research, nevertheless, lead us to conclude that there is variability in degree of sterility and fertility for both F1 and B1 individuals, with a gradual advance from sterility to fertility being seen. This is the subject we will discuss from the point of view of oestrus, ovulation, mating, pregnancy, spermatogenesis, endocrine activity, isozymes and karyotypic analysis in this paper.
Publication Date: 1989-06-01 PubMed ID: 2753743DOI: 10.1038/hdy.1989.54Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the sterility and gradual progression to fertility in horse-donkey hybrids, challenging the prevailing theory of inherent sterility. The research shows variations in sterility and fertility levels in hybrids, suggesting a gradual improvement from sterility towards fertility.
Objective of the Study
- The main aim of this study is to investigate the fertility status of horse-donkey hybrids. It delves into how sterility and fertility may vary among these hybrid animals, contrasting with the prevailing hypothesis that such hybrids are largely sterile due to what is called “gametogenic breakdown.”
Research Approach
- The researchers analysed various aspects related to decline in sterility and advancement to fertility in the hybrid offspring of horses and donkeys, often referred to as F1 and B1 individuals.
- The research looked into oestrus (the period of sexual receptivity and fertility in female mammals), ovulation (the process by which eggs are released from the female’s ovaries), mating, pregnancy, spermatogenesis (the process of sperm cell production), endocrine activity (the activity of hormones), isozymes (variations of enzymes from the same organism), and karyotypic analysis (study of the number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei).
Findings of the Study
- The study concludes that the level of sterility and fertility in horse-donkey hybrids is variable, and not uniformly sterile as previously assumed.
- It further postulates a potential gradual progression from sterility to fertility in these hybrids, breaking away from prevalent theories.
Significance of the Study
- The research stands to offer new insights into the fertility and sterility issues related to hybrid animals, challenging traditional understandings.
- This study may instigate further research into fertility of other hybrid species, prompting new approaches in the study of hybrid animal fertility.
Cite This Article
APA
Zong E, Fan G.
(1989).
The variety of sterility and gradual progression to fertility in hybrids of the horse and donkey.
Heredity (Edinb), 62 ( Pt 3), 393-406.
https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.1989.54 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Lanzhou Research Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Gansu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Estrus
- Female
- Fertility
- Horses / genetics
- Hybridization, Genetic
- Infertility / genetics
- Karyotyping
- Male
- Ovary / pathology
- Ovulation
- Perissodactyla / genetics
- Phenotype
- Pregnancy
- Sexual Behavior, Animal
- Testis / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Pustovalova E, Choleva L, Shabanov D, Dedukh D. The high diversity of gametogenic pathways in amphispermic water frog hybrids from Eastern Ukraine.. PeerJ 2022;10:e13957.
- Li S, Zhao G, Han H, Li Y, Li J, Wang J, Cao G, Li X. Genome collinearity analysis illuminates the evolution of donkey chromosome 1 and horse chromosome 5 in perissodactyls: A comparative study.. BMC Genomics 2021 Sep 15;22(1):665.
- Vullo C, Tambella AM, Meligrana M, Catone G. Analgesic and Sedative Effects of Epidural Lidocaine-Xylazine in Elective Bilateral Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Standing Mule Mares.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 17;11(8).
- Bikchurina TI, Golenishchev FN, Kizilova EA, Mahmoudi A, Borodin PM. Reproductive Isolation Between Taxonomically Controversial Forms of the Gray Voles (Microtus, Rodentia; Arvicolinae): Cytological Mechanisms and Taxonomical Implications.. Front Genet 2021;12:653837.
- Karamysheva TV, Gayner TA, Muzyka VV, Orishchenko KE, Rubtsov NB. Two Separate Cases: Complex Chromosomal Abnormality Involving Three Chromosomes and Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosome in Patients with Impaired Reproductive Function.. Genes (Basel) 2020 Dec 17;11(12).
- Torgasheva AA, Borodin PM. Cytological basis of sterility in male and female hybrids between sibling species of grey voles Microtus arvalis and M. levis.. Sci Rep 2016 Nov 4;6:36564.
- Han H, Wang A, Liu L, Zhao G, Su J, Wang B, Li Y, Zhang J, Wu B, Sun W, Hu S, Li S, Zhao L, Li X. Testicular Characteristics and the Block to Spermatogenesis in Mature Hinny.. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2016 Jun;29(6):793-800.
- Yang F, Fu B, O'Brien PC, Nie W, Ryder OA, Ferguson-Smith MA. Refined genome-wide comparative map of the domestic horse, donkey and human based on cross-species chromosome painting: insight into the occasional fertility of mules.. Chromosome Res 2004;12(1):65-76.
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