Hinny

She-ass (2n = 62) x stallion (2n = 64) hybrid. The reciprocal (mare x jackass) is called mule (see Fig. H46). Mules are easier to produce because the jackass willingly mates with the mare but the stallion mates with the she-ass only under special circumstances (blindfolded). The hybrids’ body resembles more closely the female parent as an apparent cytoplasmic influence. These sterile hybrids—known since the beginning of human civilization—may retain some sexual drive and occasionally fertility has been reported in backcrosses with either the jackass or the stallion. The jackass backcrosses are entirely sterile but the backcrosses with stallions appear more normal. Nuclear transplantation using horse oocytes and mule embryonal fibroblast nuclei has resulted in apparently normal offspring after normal gestation (Woods GL et al 2003 Science 301:1063). The advantages of the mule and hinny are that they are stronger and yet as resistant to stressful conditions as the donkey, and they can...