Library
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Genetic (DNA) testing is readily available, whether you are using it for fun to find out what breeds your pet is made up of or if you are looking into possible medical conditions. DNA samples can be collected either from a cheek swab or a blood draw. Knowing which breeds your pet is made up of can help you and your veterinarian prevent or prepare for health issues in the future.
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There are multiple methods of inheritance that determine which characteristics (or phenotypes) are displayed by the offspring, including autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and sex-linked inheritance. There are also many polygenic traits (i.e., associated with multiple genes) as well as environmental factors that make it much more complicated to predict disease or the likelihood of passing disease onto offspring.
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Mutations are errors made during DNA replication. Mutations can be acquired as cells divide within the body or can be inherited if the parent's DNA contains a mutation. Genetic markers can be used to determine genetic heritage such as breed origins.
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Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a long molecule that contains an animal’s entire genetic code. DNA is primarily located within the nucleus of each cell. In the nucleus, enzymes transcribe the DNA bases into a substance called RNA (ribonucleic acid), which serves as a messenger, taking the DNA message out into the cytoplasm of the cell where the RNA is translated into proteins. These proteins are responsible for a number of functions in the cell and throughout the body, primarily by acting as enzymes that regulate various cell reactions. DNA tests allow us to examine an animal’s DNA in order to see whether they carry certain genetic diseases. DNA testing can also be used to determine the ancestry of an animal.