Abstract

This work studied the chromosomal structure of the Nigerian indigenous pig (NIP). The karyotype was obtained and a detailed karyogram constructed. Using sixty-two metaphases of the NIP obtained from both mature male and female leucocytes culture, the chromosomal structure was studied. The karyotype obtained was based on the chromosome’s relative length, centromere position and arm (p/q) ratio. The cells had the usual diploid complement of 38 chromosomes (2n = 38) and a nombre fondamental of 64 as in the exotic. The karyotype of NIP was characterized by submetacentric chromosome pairs 1 – 7; metacentric chromosome pairs 8 to 12 and telocentric chromosome pairs 13 to 18 with submetacentric XX for female and XY for male. A detailed karyogram was constructed from the obtained results.

Key words: Karyotype, Nombre fondamental, Nigerian indigenous pig.