Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Various Lectins on Short Term Lymphocyte Culture in Cattle and Buffalo

The present study compares the effect of various lectins; phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Concanavalin-A (Con A) on short term lymphocyte culture and morphology of chromosome in cattle and buffaloes. For the comparative studies, the whole blood culture from 5 cattle and 5 buffaloes in triplicate were set up by adding 3 different types of lectins. Results based on physical observation under microscope, indicate best culture and chromosomal morphology when used pokeweed mitogen for lymphocyte culture in case of cattle and buffaloes. However, PHA added cultures exhibited poor lymphocyte cultures in cattle and buffaloes whereas, ConA added culture also yielded adequate proliferation of lymphocytes and good morphology of chromosomes. Therefore, pokeweed mitogen and Con A lectins can be utilized for lymphocyte culture for karyotyping in cattle and buffaloes.