DNA Profiling and Parentage Confirmation
Code C-PROF $65.00
A DNA profile is individual specific, unique to the individual and it is a result based on the genetic information of the individual’s parents. On its own, a DNA profile is a set of letters (G, A, T or C) or numbers in some ways similar to information on a microchip number. Each letter or number in a DNA profile is inherited from each parent and it is this inheritance that allows one to use a DNA profile to determine parentage. One letter/number on one chromosome is passed on from the dam, the other from the sire and this is verified along the total markers/SNPs used.
On this basis, checking each location along the DNA profile, allows us to exclude males other than the correct sire. Parentage confirmation is only possible if DNA profiles are available for the offspring, dam and any possible sires so the comparison can be made.
DNA profiling is a once-off cost and the profile can be used for parentage any number of times, and no cost is associated with parentage testing provided the necessary profiles of parents and offspring are available.
Parentage Confirmation - What’s required and things to consider
To confirm parentage of any given animal you must have or have had the offspring (puppy) together with the dam and any sire or possible sire DNA profiled. If either or both parents have been profiled previously and are available to the laboratory then only the offspring will need to be DNA tested for parentage to be confirmed.
For disease testing, “Clear by Parentage” cannot be assumed simply by having parents with clear status for disease(s), due to the chance of an unknown mating occurring – the animal itself must be DNA profiled and the DNA profiles of its parents available to the laboratory for parentage confirmation. Even though you may know the dam with certainty, without her DNA profile available to the laboratory it is not possible to assign sire inclusion. Therefore a swab sample for the dam must be submitted and profiled to assign sire exclusion or inclusion (full parentage) If the dam’s profile is not available then the only conclusion that can be made about parentage is exclusion of a sire only. A sire cannot be included if no dam is submitted.
Note: Profiles are stored and can be used for any future parentage confirmation, therefore a sample only needs to be submitted and DNA profiled once. It can then be referenced any number of times for parentage cases at no cost.
NEW Parentage Confirmation Web Tool
Code C-PROF $65.00
A DNA profile is individual specific, unique to the individual and it is a result based on the genetic information of the individual’s parents. On its own, a DNA profile is a set of letters (G, A, T or C) or numbers in some ways similar to information on a microchip number. Each letter or number in a DNA profile is inherited from each parent and it is this inheritance that allows one to use a DNA profile to determine parentage. One letter/number on one chromosome is passed on from the dam, the other from the sire and this is verified along the total markers/SNPs used.
On this basis, checking each location along the DNA profile, allows us to exclude males other than the correct sire. Parentage confirmation is only possible if DNA profiles are available for the offspring, dam and any possible sires so the comparison can be made.
DNA profiling is a once-off cost and the profile can be used for parentage any number of times, and no cost is associated with parentage testing provided the necessary profiles of parents and offspring are available.
Parentage Confirmation - What’s required and things to consider
To confirm parentage of any given animal you must have or have had the offspring (puppy) together with the dam and any sire or possible sire DNA profiled. If either or both parents have been profiled previously and are available to the laboratory then only the offspring will need to be DNA tested for parentage to be confirmed.
For disease testing, “Clear by Parentage” cannot be assumed simply by having parents with clear status for disease(s), due to the chance of an unknown mating occurring – the animal itself must be DNA profiled and the DNA profiles of its parents available to the laboratory for parentage confirmation. Even though you may know the dam with certainty, without her DNA profile available to the laboratory it is not possible to assign sire inclusion. Therefore a swab sample for the dam must be submitted and profiled to assign sire exclusion or inclusion (full parentage) If the dam’s profile is not available then the only conclusion that can be made about parentage is exclusion of a sire only. A sire cannot be included if no dam is submitted.
Note: Profiles are stored and can be used for any future parentage confirmation, therefore a sample only needs to be submitted and DNA profiled once. It can then be referenced any number of times for parentage cases at no cost.
NEW Parentage Confirmation Web Tool
Ensuring that the information on one’s pedigree is accurate and correct is a key part of any pure pedigree registry. As a pure-breed organisation, kennel clubs such as the Australian National Kennel Club (ANKC), and their members, have a prime duty of care in relation to pedigree authenticity.
DNA Profiling:
• Ensures accuracy of pedigrees and the quality of the purebred register
• Gives a form of protection to breeders and puppy buyers from any
incompetence or fraud
• Provides a suitable basis for promotion and enhancement of the communities perception of pure-bred dogs.
• Allows responsible breeders to promote their kennels accordingly to compete better against unregistered breeders and cross-bred dogs.
There have been many instances of questionable paternity over the years, mainly indicated by genetic impossibilities of coat color or texture, eg. a black Labrador puppy from two yellow parents, or the short coat from long-coated parents in various breeds. Before the American Kennel Club introduced compulsory DNA profiling they observed a 10% error in frequently used sires demonstrating fraudulent use of an alternate sire or breeders simply not aware of a second mating.
In general it is accepted that most errors of parentage are due to unknown, accidental or second matings.
Once parents are tested clear for a disease then it makes sense that the offspring from any of these parents would also be clear for that disease. DCBP offers breeders an excellent way of ensuring offspring are clear (normal) of a hereditary disease without carrying out a genetic disease test on the offspring. It provides an affordable alternative to breeders having to perform disease testing by simply verifying parentage via a DNA profile. Offspring can be cleared simply by DNA profiling the offspring, dam and sire and confirming the offspring via parentage testing.
For most dogs, disease testing becomes a one-off cost in one generation for disease prevention — a significant cost saving overall. Results are issued for the offspring as DCBP. DCBP can be offered for any number of diseases and is valid for unlimited number of generations.
So what do you need to obtain DCBP results for my offspring?
• Dam and Sire must have been genetically tested and confirmed as CLEAR/NORMAL for that disease.
• Disease results from other laboratories are accepted and is verified at no charge.
• Both Dam and Sire must have a DNA profile.
• DNA profile from other laboratories is accepted and is verified at no charge.
• Only direct gene tests are accepted for DCBP.
• DCBP can be used for as many generations
Before submitting samples or requesting a parentage confirmation ask yourself:
What is the purpose of your parentage request?
(a) Have the parents been DNA profiled and are those profiles on the database of the laboratory?
• If so, then only the offspring needs to be sampled and DNA Profiled.
• If not, and you have the profiles or samples, then send them in with the offspring’s sample.
• If not, send in samples of the dam, sire and offspring.
• Remember all exclusions are 100% and inclusions are up to 99.998% based on samples you have submitted, breed and
levels of inbreeding.
(b) Is parentage confirmation a requirement of your kennel club or breed club?
• If so, it is likely that the parents’ profiles will be on the database, and all offspring will need DNA profiling for parentage
testing before registration.
(c) Are you wanting parentage confirmation for “clear by parentage” to provide clear status for disease?
• If so, the conditions under Question (a) above apply
• Note that the cost of a DNA profile is the same as that for a disease test, so that the benefit of “clear by parentage” only
applies where more than one disease is concerned.
(d) Is there a question of possible multiple sires?
• If so, DNA testing is able to sort out parentage of the individual offspring
• If so, the conditions under Question (a) above apply
• Note that confirming parentage of one offspring does not confirm parentage of any others in the litter.
• Ensure you submit samples or have DNA profiled all Sires.
(e) Have you sent your bitch to a stud dog for service and when the puppies are born have doubt due to coat color questions?
• It may be that one of your stud dogs accessed your bitch after the service
• You will need to DNA profile all sires in question plus the dam and verify the parentage of all offspring
Parentage Results are reported as:
In Combination “name of dam” and “name of sire” QUALIFY or DOES NOT QUALIFY as the parents of “name of offspring”
All parentage results are issued only to the offspring. Please note parentage is not issued and should not assumed if only one littermate has been tested. You cannot infer parentage as being confirmed for all littermates based on only one animal of the litter being tested and confirmed.
What is the purpose of your parentage request?
(a) Have the parents been DNA profiled and are those profiles on the database of the laboratory?
• If so, then only the offspring needs to be sampled and DNA Profiled.
• If not, and you have the profiles or samples, then send them in with the offspring’s sample.
• If not, send in samples of the dam, sire and offspring.
• Remember all exclusions are 100% and inclusions are up to 99.998% based on samples you have submitted, breed and
levels of inbreeding.
(b) Is parentage confirmation a requirement of your kennel club or breed club?
• If so, it is likely that the parents’ profiles will be on the database, and all offspring will need DNA profiling for parentage
testing before registration.
(c) Are you wanting parentage confirmation for “clear by parentage” to provide clear status for disease?
• If so, the conditions under Question (a) above apply
• Note that the cost of a DNA profile is the same as that for a disease test, so that the benefit of “clear by parentage” only
applies where more than one disease is concerned.
(d) Is there a question of possible multiple sires?
• If so, DNA testing is able to sort out parentage of the individual offspring
• If so, the conditions under Question (a) above apply
• Note that confirming parentage of one offspring does not confirm parentage of any others in the litter.
• Ensure you submit samples or have DNA profiled all Sires.
(e) Have you sent your bitch to a stud dog for service and when the puppies are born have doubt due to coat color questions?
• It may be that one of your stud dogs accessed your bitch after the service
• You will need to DNA profile all sires in question plus the dam and verify the parentage of all offspring
Parentage Results are reported as:
In Combination “name of dam” and “name of sire” QUALIFY or DOES NOT QUALIFY as the parents of “name of offspring”
All parentage results are issued only to the offspring. Please note parentage is not issued and should not assumed if only one littermate has been tested. You cannot infer parentage as being confirmed for all littermates based on only one animal of the litter being tested and confirmed.