Sunday, April 19, 2015

Why DNA Testing For Horses Is Done

By Stella Gay


Horses are amazing creatures. They are good human companions and they can become really loyal when tames and trained. They can help in the farm, they are extremely athletic and can be trained for racing or equestrian sports. Moreover, they are beautiful and relaxing to look at in the farm just roaming around with their foals.

DNA technology has been used widely especially in human forensics. But they are even more popular in the identification of parentage among horse breeds. DNA testing for horses is done by scientific experts and they can identify with much confidence and accuracy the origin of the foals. Without executing such methods, the foals cannot be registered.

Before foals get registered, it is important that their DNA genotypes are identified and verified. Experts look into the parentage of the foals of any breed. This is scientifically based and there are methods that only experts can execute. The methods are similar to the techniques used in human forensics.

The diseases acquired from the parent genes will also be identified in this scientific intervention. The cells in the hair follicles has all the genetic information needed like the chromosomes and the sequences of the genes. These genetic details are isolated from the hair sample and then tested in the laboratory. The results are always ninety nine point ninety percent accurate.

As mandated by the International Society of Animal Genetics, it is important to test the equines so that when they are transported internationally, they will not have to go through the same process again. As long as they are already tested and registered, business can go on. There are relevant documents that need to be brought along whenever these equines are taken. Otherwise, the operation will be deemed illegal.

At times, the results are unexpected. Some foals do not match with either of the dime nor sire. This happens usually when they are exchanged with another in the paddock. Other stallions will breed with other mares that they are not supposed to breed. These are basically why there is a dire need to identify parentage among these creatures.

Misidentifications and errors are now easily detected through the genetic technology. It is really amazing how they can trace the real parentage with this technology. But in order to make this possible, it is also important to have records of the DNA of the dam and sire in the files. This way, it is easy to identify where the genes of the foals really match with.

That is why it is extremely important that all the breeds in your farm have been verified with parentage. In case they will die, their foals will still be tested and identified. Otherwise, it will be impossible to trace the parents. In this case, the foal will not be registered because of uncertainties of whether or not it contains a genetic identity that has defects.

This technology has been advancing in many levels. In the future, it is expected that this will continue to evolve and develop. Testing will become even more accurate than it already is. Aside from this, blood typing is also crucial. So when raising horses, it is necessary to actually take all these information first to ensure that all breeds are registered through DNA identification.




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