DNA is the blueprint of all living things. It contains information that dictates how they breathe, eat, reproduce and look like. DNA technology has revolutionized how we do things. It enables one to determine parentage, predict the appearance of a phenotype or even a disease present in the parent population to the offspring. This technology is not only available for humans but also for animals such as horses. Equine DNA testing is used on horses.
Equines may be tested for several reasons including to determine who their parents are. This information is required for breeding purposes. Determining pedigree information through traditional methods such as observation, manual identification and record keeping is inaccurate and yields the unintended offspring. As a result, scientific methods are preferred.
The aim of selective breeding is to come up with animals of superior performance or with certain phenotypic characteristics. Use of DNA ensures that this aim is met. The technology of genes may also be applied to determine if a horse possesses the risk of suffering from a certain disease. A genetic profile of the equine should reveal its set of genes from which an analyst can determine probability.
The globe is dotted with numerous animal genetic laboratories where these tests can be carried out. Searching for them online gives a list of several companies located around the world. Most of them have a list of instructions and guidelines on how to collect samples. After samples are collected, they may be sent to the genetic laboratory through the mail from anywhere across the globe.
The tests may vary in costs depending on the type and number of scheduled tests. Once the analysis is complete, the company will send a copy of the results to you. The results are in the form of a chart that the layman may find hard to understand. However, they will call to explain further what the results mean and the implications for the horse.
The collection of samples is not difficult at all. It all depends on the sample to be collected. Hair samples are the most preferred and are collected by plucking a few strands of the tail or the mane. Cheek cells can be obtained by gently brushing the insides of the cheek using a cheek brush. For blood samples, 3ml is drawn and transferred to an EDTA Vacutainer tube for mailing.
Upon arrival at the laboratory, the technicians extract DNA from the samples. The hair follicles, cheek cells and blood cells are all separated to yield the genetic material. Twelve specific gene markers, after extraction, are tested for production of a profile or genotype. The markers comprise of alleles that consists of two genes, one gene from either parent.
DNA technology is now part and parcel of everyone of us. It has made our lives better on Earth. Now we can use it on animals during breeding to ensure that we yield high performing horses that are not prone to disease. Also, it is now possible to know the parentage of a horse before breeding and be 100% sure.
Equines may be tested for several reasons including to determine who their parents are. This information is required for breeding purposes. Determining pedigree information through traditional methods such as observation, manual identification and record keeping is inaccurate and yields the unintended offspring. As a result, scientific methods are preferred.
The aim of selective breeding is to come up with animals of superior performance or with certain phenotypic characteristics. Use of DNA ensures that this aim is met. The technology of genes may also be applied to determine if a horse possesses the risk of suffering from a certain disease. A genetic profile of the equine should reveal its set of genes from which an analyst can determine probability.
The globe is dotted with numerous animal genetic laboratories where these tests can be carried out. Searching for them online gives a list of several companies located around the world. Most of them have a list of instructions and guidelines on how to collect samples. After samples are collected, they may be sent to the genetic laboratory through the mail from anywhere across the globe.
The tests may vary in costs depending on the type and number of scheduled tests. Once the analysis is complete, the company will send a copy of the results to you. The results are in the form of a chart that the layman may find hard to understand. However, they will call to explain further what the results mean and the implications for the horse.
The collection of samples is not difficult at all. It all depends on the sample to be collected. Hair samples are the most preferred and are collected by plucking a few strands of the tail or the mane. Cheek cells can be obtained by gently brushing the insides of the cheek using a cheek brush. For blood samples, 3ml is drawn and transferred to an EDTA Vacutainer tube for mailing.
Upon arrival at the laboratory, the technicians extract DNA from the samples. The hair follicles, cheek cells and blood cells are all separated to yield the genetic material. Twelve specific gene markers, after extraction, are tested for production of a profile or genotype. The markers comprise of alleles that consists of two genes, one gene from either parent.
DNA technology is now part and parcel of everyone of us. It has made our lives better on Earth. Now we can use it on animals during breeding to ensure that we yield high performing horses that are not prone to disease. Also, it is now possible to know the parentage of a horse before breeding and be 100% sure.
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