What can a horse DNA test tell you?

Why do I need a genetic test for my horse?

The five-panel genetic test helps you not only manage your horse’s individual health, but also make informed breeding decisions that might help reduce the incidence of these diseases.

What is parentage testing for horses?

Parentage testing for horses provides scientific, accurate answer to questions of horse parentage. Equine parentage testing is essential to any type of breeding programme. A DNA profile is a unique form of genetic identification for your horse.

What diseases do Quarter Horses need to be screened for?

The AQHA recommends owners screen their Quarter Horses for five diseases: glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), heredity equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), malignant hyperthermia (MH), and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM).

Is there a genetic test for horses?

Within the past 15 years, research into equine genetics has increased significantly, leading to the development of a variety of genetic tests now available to horse owners. One of those is the American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) five-panel genetic disease test.

When did genetic testing start in horses?

Genetic testing in horses began in the 1960s, when parentage testing using blood group markers became the standard. In the 1990s, parentage testing shifted from evaluating blood groups to DNA testing. The development of genetics and genomics in both human and veterinarian medicine, along with contin … Genetic Testing in the Horse

How is DNA testing done for parentage?

For parentage testing, genetic matches between the DNA profiles of sampled horses are examined and evaluated. All conclusions are presented in writing shortly after testing is completed.

What is the 5 panel test in horses?

The 5-Panel test in horses tests for the most common genetic disorders to affect stock breeds. These are: Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)

What is included in the American Quarter Horse genetic panel?

This panel bundles together several tests for genetic diseases found in the American Quarter Horse and related breeds. Panel can be purchased on MyVGL. See below for pricing and list of specific tests included in panel.

What is the DNA profile of the equine test?

The equine test we offer is a 23 genetic marker profile. The horse’s profile is an individual DNA profile that can be used as a permanent method of identification. Will the test establish any hereditary illnesses?

Why is it important to study horse genetics?

Understanding basic horse genetics is the key to understanding horse color and coat patterns, as well as the genetic disorders of the horse, such as lethal white syndrome.

What is the history of horse genetics?

Since Watson and Crick discovered the structure of DNA in 1953 there has been an explosion of knowledge that has revolutionised genetics, including horse genetics. As a consequence we now have quite a deep understanding of what genes are and how they work.

How to tell a horse’s parentage by DNA?

If you sent in hairs for a simple DNA test to determine parentage, you should see the results between the sire (father), dam (mother), and foal (child). A typical DNA test that shows genotyping will have a list of genetic markers.

What is the 5-panel test?

This is a question I have had to answer many times over the last few months.   The 5-panel is test for five different genetic diseases found in quarter horses and other stock horse breeds.   The diseases tested for in the 5-panel are PSSM1, HERDA, GBED, HYPP, and MH.

What is the 5 panel test for Quarter Horses?

The 5-panel is test for five different genetic diseases found in quarter horses and other stock horse breeds. The diseases tested for in the 5-panel are PSSM1, HERDA, GBED, HYPP, and MH.

What does the five-panel genetic test mean for my horse?

What Does It All Mean? The five-panel genetic test helps you not only manage your horse’s individual health, but also make informed breeding decisions that might help reduce the incidence of these diseases.

Where can I buy a 5 panel horse and related breed test?

Quarter Horse & Related Breeds Disease Panel (5-panel plus) Description This panel bundles together several tests for genetic diseases found in the American Quarter Horse and related breeds. Panel can be purchased on MyVGL. See below for pricing and list of specific tests included in panel.

Are Quarter Horses prone to genetic diseases?

Along with their valued characteristics, some Quarter Horses have inherited genetic diseases that limit their ability to perform and stay healthy.

How does our equine DNA test compare to other labs?

Our equine profiles can be compared with other labs using the international alphanumeric nomenclature. DNA typing has an efficacy rate greater than 99.99% for detection of incorrectly assigned parentage. Our laboratories are staffed with highly experienced people who process thousands of DNA tests from the United States and around the world.

What’s new in equine genetics?

With the rapid progress in equine genetics, new applications in early evaluation of the potential for performance and the detection of disease markers are available. Many new biomolecular tools will change the way selection, disease diagnosis and choice of treatment in athletic horses are made.

What is the importance of horse genetics?

Research in this area of horse genetics leads to an increased understanding of genetic disorders and can lead to genetic tests for identifying carriers, as well as to new or improved methods of managing or treating disorders in known sufferers. Genes for any particular character may occur in slightly different forms, called alleles.

Is progress in equine genetics progressing?

While progress in equine genetics has not progressed at the same dizzying pace, many advances have been recorded in that field as well, and the results will benefit horses and horse owners, just as deciphering the human genetic map ultimately will improve health care for people around the world.

Who discovered heredity in horses?

Your horse’s parents are horses and not zebras or donkeys! The basic principles of heredity were first clearly described in 1866 by the Austrian monk Gregor Mendel, but his work remained largely unknown until it was “rediscovered” in 1900.