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The second generation (n = 227) of British Landrace pigs from selected halothane-positive parents (36 litters) were blood-typed for the S(A-O), H and Phi loci and subjected to four 5-minute halothane tests at 21, 35, 49 and 63 days of age. Cumulative scores based on severity and speed of reaction were analysed in relation to single-locus blood group genotypes and linkage group sequences at two and three loci. A highly significant negative correlation (r = -0.79) was found between severity and speed of reaction. Significant differences occurred between blood group genotypes and linkage groups in both severity and speed of reaction. Genotypes S s/s, H a/a or H a/- and Phi B/B and linkage groups involving these three types had the highest cumulative reaction score and the fastest reaction time, whereas genotypes Phi A/B, S S/S or S S/s and H a/cd and linkage groups with these types had the lowest and slowest reaction scores. Some differences between genotypes and linkage groups were attributed to phenotypically halothane-positive parents and offspring being genotypically Hal N/n. These effects could result from linkage with heterozygous types such as H a/cd and S S/s. The possible role of the H cd allele acting as a genetic marker for a suppressor gene to the halothane reaction is discussed.

Summary The frequencies of three co-dominant alleles TfA, TfB and Tfc controlling the serum transferrin locus in native and exotic breeds of pig in the United Kingdom are shown. Matings between different transferrin genotypes and segregation of the transferrin alleles in piglets from 131 litters are also recorded. In eleven litters from matings within a closely related group of animals heterozygous for the Tfc allele, no offspring of the Tfc/Tfc genotype were born. Matings between heterozygous related boars believed to be carrying a lethal factor linked to the Tf locus and heterozygous unrelated sows of the Saddleback breed, resulted in offspring of the Tfc/Tfc genotype being born. An excess of heterozygote genotypes was found in all litters from matings between animals heterozygous for the Tfc allele. In all these litters the average litter size was 0.5 piglets less per litter than the average for all other litters studied. For the eleven litters from matings involving closely related animals heterozygous for the Tfc allele, the average litter size was 1.4 piglets less per litter than the average for all other litters. The possibility of an early lethal factor being linked to the Tf locus in this family of pigs is discussed.

Summary Attempts were made to detect porcine thrombocyte antibodies by three techniques. No antibodies were detected by immunodiffusion; hetero-antibodies were detected by both the fluorescent antibody and thrombo-agglutination techniques; but iso-antibodies were only detected by thrombo-agglutination. With the latter, however, there were ill-defined end-points which made the interpretation of negative results difficult. It was therefore suitable only for positive reactions of strong avidity.

Frequency of blood group factors at the A-O and H loci were markedly altered within halothane positive (HP) and halothane negative (HN) composite synthetic Pietrain/Hampshire lines (PTH) over four generations of selection. Linkage studies on the litters from 45 double backcross and 20 mixed and intercross matings, involving the S(A-O), H, Phi and Hal loci, were made in the PTH line and halothane positive and negative selected British Landrace lines. Crossing-over frequencies of 0.05 +/- 0.04, 0.05 +/- 0.03 and 0.1 +/- 0.03 were established between Phi and Hal, H and Hal, and Phi and H respectively. An unequal crossing-over frequency between Phi and H was found when the alleles Ha and Hcd were compared. The difference in recombination frequency between the Ha and Hcd alleles amounted to 0.04 to 0.06. No cross-overs were observed between the S(A-O) and Phi, H or Hal loci in 15 families studied. The position of the S locus in relation to the other loci could not be established, but statistical evidence of association favours a haplotype sequence of Phi-Hal-S-H.