Regional characterization of a hamster-sheep somatic cell hybrid panel

The regional characterization of a previously obtained hamster-sheep hybrid panel is reported. Using data available from ruminant maps (sheep, cattle, and goat), we have selected a set of 300 markers and have analyzed them by PCR in this hybrid panel. Results obtained for 204 markers show the presen ce of all sheep chromosomes (including gonosomes) in entire or fragmented f orm. Analysis of syntenies has given 130 types of answer defining segments of variable sizes. This study has led to the regional characterization of t his panel and provides comparative data on a set of bovine and caprine mark ers. With the level of characterization now achieved for this hybrid panel, the regional assignment of new genes or markers to sheep chromosomes can b e rapidly obtained. Finally, this panel will help to collect new data for c omparative mapping of domestic animals and to highlight the conservation of syntenic groups between closely related species, that is, sheep, cattle, a nd goat.