DNA POLYMORPHISM AT THE BOLA-DRB3 GENE OF CATTLE IN RELATION TO RESISTANCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO LEUKEMIA

Polymorphism of exon 2 of the BoLA-DRB3 gene was investigated by the P CR-RFLP method in a sample of healthy and leukemia-afflicted Black Pie d cattle. Allele variety was studied and allele frequencies were deter mined in a total sample and in the two groups. Alleles mediating resis tance (BoLA-DRB3.211, *23, and *28) and susceptibility to leukemia (D RB3.222, *24, *16, and *8) were revealed in Black Pied cattle. The do minant type of inheritance of the disease resistance was confirmed. On the basis of original and published data obtained earlier for Holstei n-Friesian cattle, a conclusion was made about the universal character of the spectrum of BoLA-DRB3 alleles providing resistance and suscept ibility to leukemia.