GENETICS
A Horse of a Different Color
Novel Mutation Found IN STANDARDBRED HORSE y
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The field of genetics has enabled people to
predict susceptibility to heritable diseases and map the genome of many species. Now, modern genetics and the birth of a unique foal in New Zealand has provided a successful example of tracking a mutation at its origin. Researchers at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine determined that a white pattern in a Standardbred foal is a de novo, or novel, mutation, meaning that it was not inherited
Filly displaying a sabino-like white spotting pattern caused by a de novo mutation.
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Issue 6/2022 | ModernEquineVet.com
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by its sire or dam but instead occurred during the development of the foal. Should the foal eventually be bred, then this coat color can be selected for in subsequent generations, according to the researchers. The Standardbred filly, not yet officially named, was born at Wai Eyre Farm in Canterbury, New Zealand, with a sabino-like white spotting pattern. She was tested for parentage through Harness Racing New Zealand by InfogeneNZ at Massey University. InfogeneNZ then recommended coat color testing
Photo credit: Wai Eyre Farm, New Zealand
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