How
do we accomplish this?
In order to create an International DNA Databank we need as much DNA profiles
as possible.
We can divide the Gypsy Horse stock into two groups: the ones that already have
a DNA profile and the ones that don't.
For more information about how you (or your horse in this case) can join the
database please look at the “Join” page.
How
does the database work?
The
database is a software program that was written for this purpose alone. This program
gives us the possibility to run a query on every horse.
We
compare the DNA profile of every horse that is added, to all the profiles that
are already in the database with pressing just one button. We are talking about
hundreds of profiles, and potentially thousands in the future.
The
program then tells us which profiles match with the one we ran a query on. It
gives us a list of all horses in the database, with the ones that match the
most on top.
If
horses match on all 17 markers this is considered a full match. Parent and
child always (there are some exceptions) match on all 17 markers. So therefore
if your horse matches on 17 markers with another horse in the database, this could mean they are parent and child.
The
database compares the letters in each marker. The letters however are just a
way to make the real DNA profile
readable for us. We can never
conclude that horses are related without having the lab look at the real DNA
profiles. Before we order the lab to run the parentage test however, we also
look at other factors like the age of the horses, where they are from
originally, their height and of course color. That is why we ask you to give us
as much information about your horse as possible and ask you to fill in the
form.
Statistically
it is possible that the letters in all 17 markers of two horses match in
the database, but they are not related at all. That is why we do the background
check first, it saves you money. If it turns out the horses can’t be
related for example, we don’t have to order the lab to do a parentage
test. If we would, it would come back negative.
Only
if all the background information adds up we take the second step and have the
lab check the match. If it turns out the match is valid (or invalid for that
matter) you get an official rapport of the parentage test from the lab. You can
add this rapport to the papers of your horse and send it to the studbook your
horse is registered with.
If
you are interested in how a DNA profile is made, and what the difference is between
the profile you get and the profile the lab has please send us an e-mail. We
are more than happy to tell you everything about this. (warning, this is quite
a technical story but very interesting!)
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