The performed cytogenetic analysis included 454 young Leine ewes, aged 3-8 months, coming from heterosexual twins and multiplets. Out of them, the studied 431 animals had a normal diploid chromosome number - 54,XX. Leukocytic 54,XX/54,XY chimerism was identified in 23 young ewes, which makes 5.06% of the studied group of animals.
The article reviews the main milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) protein, butyrophilin. Butyrophilin is an acidic, transmembrane glycoprotein which reveals the general receptor structure. Its unique location within the cell, the domain structure of the protein and site-specific expression occurring only during lactation indicate that butyrophilin protein is of great importance in milk lipid secretion process.