Further studies on a robertsonian translocation in the saanen dairy goat

Additional observations on a Robertsonian translocation segregating in the Saanen goat are reported. All of the animals born in this series of matings had balanced karyotypes, and all were phenotypically normal. Six translocation homozygotes were born, five females and one male. Three of the female homozygotes gave birth to phenotypically normal offspring. In five of seven twin pairs, both members of the pair had identical karyotypes with respect to the translocation chromosome and the sex chromosomes. The translocation chromosome was found more frequently among offspring born as singles, whereas the normal chromosome complement appeared more frequently among offspring born in multiple births. The data did not support the notion that this translocation possessed meiotic drive, either independently or in conjunction with the X or Y chromosome.