Premium SNP DNA Profile

A new and advanced DNA profiling analysis performed in accordance with the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) 2020 recommendation. Note that we are offering Heterozygosity (diversity) calculation when you order the SNP DNA profile at no additional cost.

The Premium single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) DNA-Profile opens up new horizons because it has the potential to assess the genetic heterozygosity of the breed, the line as well as individual dogs, to monitor and maintain a healthy gene pool. It would also be possible to check how genetically related or distant the dog and the bitch before breeding. On the long term we are also considering integrating the heterozygosity data with the inherited disease data of the breed.

The new ISAG recommendation was published in February 2020 and our laboratory partner, Laboklin, is one of the first laboratories to implement the new standards. ISAG 2020 recommends analysing a minimum of 114 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism), and, an additional panel if needed in complex situations, however, Laboklin analyses 230 SNPs in one analysis. Each SNP describes a specific location on the DNA, which can take one of two possible forms. In addition, the sex of your dog is also checked with another SNP. The combination of all these SNP markers results in a unique DNA profile for each animal.

‘Heterozygosity’ refers to the percentage of SNPs for which your dog has inherited different variants from mother and father. NPs are the most common type of genetic variation found among individuals dogs.

It is important for breeders to monitor both the breed’s diversity as well as individual dog’s DNA diversity. Heterozygosity is one of the indicators used to assess genetic diversity. According to current scientific knowledge, dogs with a high degree of heterozygosity within a breed are less affected by inbreeding depression than dogs with low degree of heterozygosity. Dog inbreeding is the mating of closely related dogs. It varies from mating a dog with its first- or second-degree relatives to mating with a more distant relatives and line breeding. It also occurs when certain dogs known to possess desirable characteristics are used to sire many litters of puppies. Increased inbreeding is known to have an impact on the breed including lower fertility, smaller litter size, higher puppy mortality, shorter lifespan, and increased expression of recessive genetic disorders.

Genetic diversity is a key requirement for animals, humans, and plants to adapt to ever changing environmental conditions, habitats and diseases. Heterozygosity is one marker that can reflect genetic diversity. Breed-specific breeding limits the available genetic diversity because only certain subpopulations of all dogs are bred with each other. Inbreeding (i.e. mating of close relatives) can be favoured by extreme breeding standards which further decreases the genetic diversity of a breed. According to current scientific knowledge, dogs with a high degree of heterozygosity within a breed are less often affected by inbreeding than dogs with a low degree of heterozygosity. Choosing individuals with a high degree of heterozygosity for breeding might thus contribute to the preservation of the breed’s genetic diversity.

Sample required:

• 0.5 – 1 ml whole blood in EDTA blood tube
•  Buccal swabs

Please note that Premium SNP DNA-Profile may not be ordered on DNA from swabs which is already stored at Laboklin because extraction method is different, and so we will need a new sample.

Price includes VAT.