Cytogenetic Study of Sticker Venereal Sarcoma in European Dogs

Abstract

Three venereal sarcomas which appeared and developed in dogs born and grown in 3 different areas of France were studied as primary tumors (2 cases) and as homotransplants (2 cases). In all instances a karyotype strikingly different from normal dog 78-chromosome complement was found. The modal chromosomal number in all 3 tumors was close to 59, containing 13–17 abnormal metacentric chromosomes. Many of them were markers similar or identical to those found previously in veneral sarcomas of Japanese or American dogs. The meaning of these data in relation to the transplantability, natural transmission, and origin of the malignant Sarcoma cell is discussed.