Estimation of the baseline level of aneuploidy in germ cells and reproductive health in domestic animals

The reproductive health of a given species is strictlyrelated to the karyological integrity of the breedinganimals (i.e., absence of chromosomal abnormalities)and to the precision with which the haploid chromosomesare segregated into the male (sperm) andfemale (oocyte) germ cells prior to fertilization. Thisassumption is supported by the fact that in mammalsmore than 70% of the embryonic mortality isattributed to aneuploidies in the germ cells whichgive rise to genetically unbalanced embryos (monosomicor trisomic) destined to abortion, thus reducingfertility and the reproductive/productive efficiency ofthe animal production industry.Estimation of the 'baseline' level of aneuploidy insperm and in in vitro matured oocytes with thecorresponding first polar body in domestic animalspecies and breeds/genetic types is now possible byusing the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)technique and chromosome specific painting probesobtained via microdissection and DOP-PCR. Such a'baseline' level could be used as 'control reference'not only for improving the in vitro production ofembryos destined to the animal production industrybut also, and more importantly, for monitoring futuretrends of the reproductive health of the domesticspecies/breeds engaged in zootechnical productions,especially in relation to the increasing risk ofenvironmental challenges and hazards, such as chemicalcontaminants in the water, soil, air, micotoxins inthe feedstuff, hormone unbalancements, nutritionaland dietetical mistakes, and other factors which areknown to damage the mitotic and meiotic machineryof the cells.