Are transferrin and leucine aminopeptidase electromorphs reliable genetic markers in the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster?

The reliability of TF and LAP electromorphs as genetic markers in Microtus ochrogaster was examined by taking 18 voles captured in the wild during the summer and subjecting them to winter conditions for one month. During this time voles were bled each week and their plasma scored for TF and LAP phenotypes using starch gel electrophoresis. There were no changes in the mobility of the TF and LAP electromorphs in the same animal when fresh samples were used for electrophoresis. However, there were a few inconsistencies in scoring phenotypes when plasma was frozen for 10 weeks or longer. Reasons for the contradictory results obtained by McGovern and Tracy (1981) in the same species is discussed.