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.
Horses are tested for a variety of reasons. For instance, one may want to know the parents of a foal for breeding purposes. Scientific determination of pedigree information is imperative for accuracy purposes. Traditional methods such as observation, record keeping, and manual identification are not only inadequate but also inaccurate.
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.
There are numerous laboratories where these tests can be done. A search on any of the search engines reveals quite a number. All you have to do is follow the instructions for collecting samples and collect them. After collection, you may send them to any of the laboratories through the mail and from almost all countries around the globe.
The prices are different depending on the type and number of tests to be performed. After analysis, the company will send the results to you through email or through an account on their website. They are usually in the form of a chart used to display genetic information, but they will contact you by the telephone to clarify and help you understand 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.
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.
Horses are tested for a variety of reasons. For instance, one may want to know the parents of a foal for breeding purposes. Scientific determination of pedigree information is imperative for accuracy purposes. Traditional methods such as observation, record keeping, and manual identification are not only inadequate but also inaccurate.
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.
There are numerous laboratories where these tests can be done. A search on any of the search engines reveals quite a number. All you have to do is follow the instructions for collecting samples and collect them. After collection, you may send them to any of the laboratories through the mail and from almost all countries around the globe.
The prices are different depending on the type and number of tests to be performed. After analysis, the company will send the results to you through email or through an account on their website. They are usually in the form of a chart used to display genetic information, but they will contact you by the telephone to clarify and help you understand 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.
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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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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