The 450-band resolution G- and R-banded standard karyotype of the donkey (Equus asinus, 2n = 62).

Donkey chromosomes were earlier characterized separately by C-, G- and R-banding techniques. However, direct comparisons between G- and R-banding patterns have still not been carried out in this species. The present study reports this comparison at the 450-band level by using replication G- and R-banding patterns. Two sets of synchronized lymphocyte cultures were set up to obtain early (GBA+CBA-banding) and late (RBA-banding) BrdU incorporation. Slides were stained with acridine orange and observed under a fluorescence microscope. Reverse GBA+CBA- and RBA-banded karyotypes at the 450-band level were constructed. To verify G- and R-banding patterns in some acrocentric chromosomes, sequential GBA+CBA/Ag-NORs and RBA/Ag-NORs were also performed. The results of CBA-banding patterns obtained in 12 animals from 2 breeds showed a pronounced polymorphism of heterochromatin, especially in EAS1q-prox. Ideogrammatic representations of G- and R-banded karyotypes were constructed using only one common G- and R-banding nomenclature. In the present study both G- and R-banding patterns and relative ideograms are presented as standard karyotype for this species at the 450-band level. (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.