DNA Typing & Parentage Testing
Animal Genetics UK now offers DNA 'fingerprint' testing using pulled mane or tail hair as the source sample. Testing can be used for registration purposes, parentage/relationship testing, and for DNA data banking for positive identification of stolen horses.
In all cases, the testing examines 20 specific markers (or Loci) of the sampled horse's DNA and presents them in alphabetic or numeric code form, collectively this information is referred to as the horse's DNA 'fingerprint' and is specific to the individual horse. The fingerprint is presented to the customer in chart-form, and the universal markers we use conform to international standards, therefore can be cross-compared with marker-reports produced by other laboratories using the same methods.
For parentage testing, genetic matches between the fingerprints of sampled horses are examined and evaluated. All conclusions are presented in writing shortly after testing is completed. Basic sire viability can be obtained using mane hair samples from both the foal and the prospective sire. However, since a foal inherits 50% of its DNA from its dam and 50% from its sire, mane hair samples are required from both parents in order to gain a 100% data match.
Multiple tests can be carried out using the same mane-hair sample, therefore all other genetic testing services (Colour/pattern/disease) offered by Animal Genetics can be applied to samples after the fingerprinting is completed.
Testing is charged per horse: £30 for each animal examined.
Pricing: £30.00 per test (inclusive of tax, certification included free of charge)
Turnaround time: 7 business days.
Results: Phoned, faxed or e-mailed. Testing certificate dispatched after conclusion of test.
