The simian-type M and the human-type ABO blood groups in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops): their inheritance, distribution and significance for the management of a breeding colony

Abstract

We have established a new simian-type blood group system (M blood groups) in the African green monkey ( Cercopithecus aethiops), using a haemagglutinating antibody which was developed by alloimmunization. The M blood groups consisted of two phenotypes, type-M and type-m. We have also determined the mode of inheritance as well as the distribution of both simian-type M and human-type ABO blood groups, employing 113 families including 160 animals. The family analysis revealed that (1) the simian-type M blood groups were governed by the two alleles, dominant M and recessive m, and (2) the humantype ABO blood groups were governed by 3 alleles, codominant A and B and silent O, although no monkey of phenotype-O was found in our breeding colony. Differences in the phenotypic distribution and gene frequency of respective M and ABO blood groups were observed among 3 populations imported at different times. The genetic management of the African green monkey breeding colony was discussed in relation to the difference in distribution of phenotypes of M and ABO blood groups between the parental (wild-originated) and the first filial (colony-born) populations.