Polymorphism of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Gelada Baboons

In a group of 21 gelada baboons, three different lactate dehydrogenase patterns were observed after starch-gel electrophoresis of tissue extracts. The patterns indicate that a mutation has occurred in this population in the gene responsible for the A-subunit. The normal and variant homozygotes each contain five isozymes, those containing the A subunit having characteristically different electrophoretic mobilities. The heterozygote contains the expected 15 isozymes.