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.
There are various why one would like their horse tested. One is to establish parentage before breeding. It is always very crucial to determine pedigree information scientifically before making any breeding decisions. Observation, manual identification and record keeping may not be adequate and are prone to errors.
The process of breeding is usually a careful one. The breeder must identify and select only characteristics that are deemed superior depending on the purpose of the horse. They include better performance, endurance and also certain phenotypic appearances. DNA makes an accurate selection possible. It also helps predict the possibility of developing a disease or certain physical characteristics through the use of a profile.
DNA can be tested in various genetic laboratories around the world. A simple search online reveals many companies. They have a set of sample collection procedures and guidelines that one may follow in order to extract the sample to be used for the test. After collection, the samples are sent to the laboratories through post service from anywhere around the world.
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 for testing is not a difficult process. Most tests will require hair from the mane or the tail. Other samples may include cells collected from inside the horses cheek by use of a soft cheek brush. Some other tests may require blood as sample. In such cases, 3ml whole blood is collected using a syringe and stored in an EDTA Vacutainer and labeled. After labeling, it may then be sent to the lab through regular mail.
When these samples arrive at the laboratory, DNA is extracted. It is extracted from the hair follicle cells in the hair sample and from the nucleus in the cells of this cheek or the blood. After extraction, twelve specific gene markers are tested to produce a profile or genotype of the equine. Note that each of the markers bears a pair of alleles, and each pair is from each 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.
There are various why one would like their horse tested. One is to establish parentage before breeding. It is always very crucial to determine pedigree information scientifically before making any breeding decisions. Observation, manual identification and record keeping may not be adequate and are prone to errors.
The process of breeding is usually a careful one. The breeder must identify and select only characteristics that are deemed superior depending on the purpose of the horse. They include better performance, endurance and also certain phenotypic appearances. DNA makes an accurate selection possible. It also helps predict the possibility of developing a disease or certain physical characteristics through the use of a profile.
DNA can be tested in various genetic laboratories around the world. A simple search online reveals many companies. They have a set of sample collection procedures and guidelines that one may follow in order to extract the sample to be used for the test. After collection, the samples are sent to the laboratories through post service from anywhere around the world.
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 for testing is not a difficult process. Most tests will require hair from the mane or the tail. Other samples may include cells collected from inside the horses cheek by use of a soft cheek brush. Some other tests may require blood as sample. In such cases, 3ml whole blood is collected using a syringe and stored in an EDTA Vacutainer and labeled. After labeling, it may then be sent to the lab through regular mail.
When these samples arrive at the laboratory, DNA is extracted. It is extracted from the hair follicle cells in the hair sample and from the nucleus in the cells of this cheek or the blood. After extraction, twelve specific gene markers are tested to produce a profile or genotype of the equine. Note that each of the markers bears a pair of alleles, and each pair is from each 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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You can get a summary of the benefits you get when you use equine DNA testing services at http://www.etalondx.com right now.
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