A new case of centric fusion in cattle : Rob(21;23)

Centric fusions, also called Robertsonian translocations, are the most frequent chromosomal anomalies in cattle and they are responsible for economic losses due to fertility reduction in heterozygous carriers. Rob(1;29) is the most common, being found in more than 40 different breeds.1 To date, all bovine autosomes have been found to be involved in one or more centric fusions (Table S1). Here we show the involvement of BTA21 and BTA23 in a new centric fusion in the Maremmana breed by both conventional banding techniques and FISH analysis. This is the only centric fusion discovered in this Italian breed [except for rob (1;29)].