Collaboration between a veterinary laboratory and a clinical cytogenetics laboratory

Abstract Introduction/Objective One major issue facing pig breeders is the presence of karyotypic abnormalities which reduce fertility. Karyotypic abnormalities may also persist in breeding population increasing the magnitude of lost animal production over time. Assessment of porcine chromosomes is a valuable service to be offered to the livestock industry. Methods/Case Report Chromosome testing of young boars prior to breeding is mandatory in France and much of Western Europe. Such testing is not common in the USA even though chromosome abnormalities are known to exist in swine breeding populations. Due to the lack of this service in the US, we established a collaboration between a clinical cytogenetics laboratory and a veterinary laboratory to validate and offer karyotype testing for breeder boards. To established this service Kuster Research and Consulting, Inc (KRC), a veterinary consulting service in Atkinson Illinois, reached out to the Shivanand R. Patil Cytogenetics and Molecular Laboratory at University of Iowa Healthcare for assistance in setting up chromosome testing for breeder boars based on the laboratory’s experience in culturing mammalian cells for chromosome analysis. Technologists from KRC traveled to the clinical cytogenetics lab for training. After a dedicated period of work and collaboration, a reproducible culture and harvest protocol was developed to obtain G-band metaphase spreads. Additional assistance for analysis was provided by Dr. Alain Pinton at the National Veterinary College (ENVT) in Toulouse, France. Dr. Pinton’s cytogenetic laboratory provided training in porcine chromosome analysis as well as providing protocols used in that laboratory. Kuster Research and Consulting also worked with SmartType to adapt proprietary karyotype software to assist in analysis of porcine chromosomes. The collaboration established the first of its kind cytogenetic testing in a private USA veterinary laboratory, Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Active collaboration between clinical and veterinary service laboratories resulted in the successful development of testing protocols. In addition, the clinical lab gained experience in analysis of porcine chromosomes which has created opportunities for research using a porcine model. Conclusion Opportunities to share expertise should be sought and and encouraged to provide needed laboratory services in a non traditional setting.