Proposals on nomenclature of protein polymorphisms in farm livestock.

AT the first meeting of the F.A.O. Panel of Blood Group Scientists held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 9th-1 l th September 1963, a Committee on Protein Polymorphism Nomenclature was appointed to consider protein polymorphism nomenclatura in farm animals (F.A.O., 1963). The proposals of the Committee were circulated among workers in the field, and appeared in “Immunogenetics Letter” (ASHTON, GILMOUR. KIDDY and KRISTJANSSON 1966). The final version printed here includes many of the suggestions received from individuals who read the circulated proposals, and we are grateful for their comments. In preparing these recommendations, we were influenced by published rules or suggestions for nomenclature in related disciplines ( BRAEND 1965; COHEN and SHREFFLER 1961 ; COMMITTEE ON STANDARDIZED GENETIC NOMENCLATURE FOR MICE, 1963; GERALD and INGRAM 1961; THOMPSON, et al., 1965). We recognize the right of individuals to report their results in such manner as they think best, with due deference to the priorities enjoyed by others. The recommeiidations below are meant to act as guidelines for research workers in the defined field who discover new protein polymorphisms, or new phenotypes in existing systems. The need for standardization of nomenclature of these systems is closely associated with the need for provision of a source of reference samples. The committee appointed was asked to consider the feasibility of establishing a reference sample bank, initially for cattle. Preliminary plans for a bank in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and in Beltsville. Maryland. U.S.A., are now being implemented.