Overview
The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL), in collaboration with Dr. Niels C. Pedersen and staff, has developed a panel of short tandem repeat (STR) markers that will determine genetic heterogeneity and diversity across the genome and in the Dog Leukocyte Antigen (DLA) class I and II regions for specified dog populations. This test panel will be useful to dog breeders who wish to use DNA-based testing to track and increase genetic diversity as a supplement to in-depth pedigrees. DNA based information on genetic heterogeneity and diversity, along with genetic testing results for desired phenotypes and health traits, can aid in informing breeding decisions.
Genetic diversity testing in the German Pinscher has been established, and almost all existing alleles at the 33 STR loci and 7 DLA class I and II regions have potentially been identified. As of November of 2023, 97 German Pinschers from the USA (n=96) and Canada (n=1) were tested to assess genetic diversity in the breed. We will continue to add new alleles and haplotypes if they are found in the breed, and their respective frequencies will be updated if necessary.
Price
$85 one test per animal
$70 when combined with a diagnostic test
Results reported as:
Short tandem repeat (STR) loci: A total of 33 STR loci from carefully selected regions of the genome were used to assess genetic heterogeneity and existing genetic diversity within an individual as well as across the breed. The alleles inherited from each parent are displayed graphically to highlight heterozygosity and genetic diversity in individuals and breed wide.
DLA haplotypes: Seven STR loci linked to the DLA class I and II genes were used to identify genetic differences in a region that regulates immune responses and self/non-self-recognition. Problems with self/non-self-recognition, along with non-genetic factors in the environment, are responsible for autoimmune disease, allergies, and susceptibility to infectious agents.
Internal Relatedness: The IR value is a measure of the genetic relatedness of an individual's parents. The value takes into consideration both heterozygosity of alleles at each STR loci and their relative frequency in the population. Therefore, IR values heterozygosity over homozygosity and uncommon alleles over common alleles. IR values are unique to each dog; two individuals from different sources may have identical IR values, but a quite different genetic makeup.
Report
Report issued December 12, 2023. Daily updated statistics are here.