Mapping of the MHC in swine (SLA) was achieved by direct in situ hybridization to chromosome preparations. We took advantage of the fact that the cDNA probe coding for class I HLA-B7 antigen cross-hybridizes with swine genomic DNA. By nick-translation, 35S nucleotides were incorporated to a specific activity of 2,7 10(7) cpm/ug. Analysis of 91 randomly selected labeled metaphases revealed highly significant labeling on chromosome 7. The SLA complex is most probably located at the proximal half of the long arm, as indicated in families carrying a modified chromosome 7 and heterozygous for SLA. The abnormal chromosome was always inherited with a specific haplotype whereas the other parental haplotypes were found in association with the normal 7.