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 to 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 is useful to dog breeders who wish to use DNA-based testing to track and distribute genetic diversity as a supplement to in-depth pedigrees. Information on genetic heterogeneity and diversity, along with DNA testing results for desired phenotypes and health traits, can aid in informing breeding decisions in order to improve the overall genetic health of a breed.
Genetic diversity testing in the Newfoundland 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 October of 2022, 102 Newfoundlands from the United States (n = 94), Canada (n = 7), and Mexico (n = 1) were tested at the VGL to assess genetic diversity in the breed. Allele and DLA haplotype frequencies will be updated as more dogs are tested.
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 across the genome were used to gauge genetic diversity within an individual and across the breed. The alleles inherited from each parent are displayed graphically to highlight heterozygosity, and breed-wide allele frequency is provided.
DLA haplotypes: STR loci linked to the DLA class I and II genes were used to identify genetic differences in regions regulating 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 immunodeficiency.
Internal Relatedness: The IR value is a measure of genetic diversity within an individual that takes into consideration both heterozygosity of alleles at each STR loci and their relative frequency in the population. It is also an estimate of the genetic relatedness of a dog’s parents. Unlike standard genetic assessments, IR puts more emphasis on heterozygosity over homozygosity and uncommon over common alleles. IR values are unique to each dog and cannot be compared between dogs. Two dogs may have identical IR values but with very different genetic makeups.
Daily updated statistics are here.