Analysis of chromosome karyotype and banding patterns of chicken, quail, and their hybrids

To explore the incompatibility of hybrids between chickens and quails at the chromosome level, in the present study, chickens, quails, and their hybrids were selected and their chromosome karyotype and banding patterns were analyzed. The methods used comprised pre paring chromosomes from air-dried peripheral blood lymphocytes, the embryo method, G-banding, and C-banding techniques. The result revealed that the number of chromosomes (2n) of chicken, quail, and their hybrids was 78, with 10 pairs of macrochromosomes and 29 pairs of microchromosomes; however, there were some remarkable differences in chromosome morphology. There were significant differences in G-banding patterns between chickens, quails, and their hybrids, among which chickens chromosomes were divided into 32 zones with 155 bands, including 71 positive bands. The quails were divided into 28 zones, with 138 bands, including 61 positive bands. C-band analysis showed that the C-band of chickens, quails, and their hybrids were present on all W-sex chromosomes in all female fission phases and were deeply stained. The combined analysis of the karyotypes and different genotypes of chickens, quails, and their hybrids could provide a reference to accelerate the breeding process.