Karyotype evaluation among young horse populations in Poland.

Five hundred young horses of the following breeds: Thoroughbred, Silesian, Malopolska, Wielkopolska, Polish Konik, Hutsul, Shetland Pony, Half-bred Anglo-Arabian, Noble Half-bred, Fjord and crosses were cytogenetically investigated. Chromosome preparations obtained after lymphocyte culture were analysed using conventional Giemsa staining and CBG-banding methods. In the case of abnormalities GTG-banding as well as FISH technique were applied. In ten mares different karyotypic abnormalities were diagnosed. One mare showed chromosome chimerism (64,XX/64,XY), eight had sex chromosomal aneuploidy (one in pure line 63,X and seven in mosaic form 63,X/64,XX) and one presented autosomal aneuploidy with mosaicism (64,XX/65,XX,+31). The influence of sex chromosome abnormalities on fertility and the possible utilisation of karyotypic control in any selection programme are discussed.