DNA is the code of life. It is the blueprint that defines everything that breathes. It contains information on everything including nutrition and reproduction. DNA technology has completely revolutionized our world through its numerous applications. It helps establish parentage, determine phenotype in offspring and also predict the likelihood of developing a disease. Equine DNA testing is used to perform these tests 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.
During breeding, a breeder identifies animals with better performance, endurance or other characteristics that are desirable. It is only DNA technology that can ensure this is done accurately. It also helps determine whether a horse is at risk of developing a certain genetic disease and also to choose some phenotypic characteristics through constructing a genetic profile.
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 cost of the test depends on the type of test to be carried out. Also, the results can be sent to you, or you can view them online as most of these laboratories have websites. Company representatives also call to explain the results and what they mean for the horse. The results are usually in a chart form and are easily explained to the horse owner.
The horse owner collects the samples. It is not a difficult process but depends on the sample to be collected. Some tests may ask for some strands of hair either from the mane or the tail. Additionally, one may be asked for cheek cells obtained from inside the cheek using a soft cheek brush. A blood sample is drawn using a syringe. Around 3ml is then transferred to an EDTA Vacutainer and mailed to the laboratory.
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.
As humans, DNA technology has become a very important aspect of our lives. Now, we can use it to improve other species on Earth. For horses, the technology enables pure breeding. It is also possible to predict whether a particular horse is likely to give offspring with certain genetic conditions and disorders. More importantly, breeders can rely on this technology to establish true and accurate parentage of a horse before breeding it.
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.
During breeding, a breeder identifies animals with better performance, endurance or other characteristics that are desirable. It is only DNA technology that can ensure this is done accurately. It also helps determine whether a horse is at risk of developing a certain genetic disease and also to choose some phenotypic characteristics through constructing a genetic profile.
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 cost of the test depends on the type of test to be carried out. Also, the results can be sent to you, or you can view them online as most of these laboratories have websites. Company representatives also call to explain the results and what they mean for the horse. The results are usually in a chart form and are easily explained to the horse owner.
The horse owner collects the samples. It is not a difficult process but depends on the sample to be collected. Some tests may ask for some strands of hair either from the mane or the tail. Additionally, one may be asked for cheek cells obtained from inside the cheek using a soft cheek brush. A blood sample is drawn using a syringe. Around 3ml is then transferred to an EDTA Vacutainer and mailed to the laboratory.
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.
As humans, DNA technology has become a very important aspect of our lives. Now, we can use it to improve other species on Earth. For horses, the technology enables pure breeding. It is also possible to predict whether a particular horse is likely to give offspring with certain genetic conditions and disorders. More importantly, breeders can rely on this technology to establish true and accurate parentage of a horse before breeding it.
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