DETECTION OF MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA IN PIGS BY PCR-RFLP ANALYSIS USING PLUCKED HAIR AS A SOURCE OF DNA

In total 120 pigs of common breeds in Slovakia (Large White, Landrace, Pietrain and Large White x Landrace x Duroc crossbreds) were genotype d for malignant hyperthermia using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Al l pigs were also halothane-tested, Results show that DNA-test can be p erformed on hair roots using Prep-A-Gene purification of DNA. Frequenc y of mutated n allele was higher in meat breed pigs (Landrace - 64,10% , Pietrain - 84.62%) and in Large White x Landrace x Duroc (52.86%) wh en compared with Large White breed (2.5%). Relative frequency of homoz ygotes (n/n) was the highest in Pietrain breed (73.08%). From the comp arison of halothane test and DNA-test it follows, that halothane test is insufficient in detection of heterozygotes (N/n) occurrence.