SNP chip for sheep on the way

01-02-2010 | Terry Brosnahan

The first commercially available SNP chip for sheep is for only three breeds but more will be added.

Pfizer Animal Genetics, in collaboration with Ovita, have developed the Sheep 50k (S50K) panel marker test which builds a genetic profile early in an animal's life.

It is the first SNP chip panel in the world to be commercialised for sheep and is due to be released in New Zealand in March.

The S50k marker panel was validated in NZ and is suitable only for Romney, Coopworth or Perendale breeds.

The data available used in the initial research was predominately those breeds. Pfizer recommends the S50k panel should be used on animals which are least 50% of those three breeds.

More traits will be added as the research and development continues to evaluate the panel's use in other sheep breeds.

Pfizer says the test gives a highly reliable prediction of future performance which allows farmers to make breeding and management decisions earlier in an animal's life. The cost is $890/test for the first 10 tests and $790 each for 11 or more. This is an introductory offer until April 5. From April 5 onwards it will cost $990 a test for the first 10, $890 each for 11 or more.

The test represents a DNA panel marker of more than 50,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) which have been identified in the ovine genome. From the 50,000SNP spaced evenly across the entire genome the test can predict breeding values for economically important traits.

The four economic traits are expressed as molecular breeding values (MBV). They carry a high level of reliability and precision, explaining the strongest relationship between the MBV and the animal's recorded performance to date.

Two traits predicted by the MBV - faecal egg count and number of lambs born - are both difficult and costly to measure. Pfizer says this tool provides producers with the best opportunity to date to make significant gains in traits of economic importance.

The other traits, weaning weight and carcaseweight, can be used to complement the accuracy of existing breeding value data. In future disease, production and quality traits will be included.

Pfizer's senior director, global technical services, Ronnie Green says the MBV from the SNP chip establishes a strong relationship with animal performance. Farmers making breeding decisions using the test and breeding values can make a greater return on the investment than by just using breeding values on their own.

The initial focus probably will be on stud breeders as they are used to dealing with Pfizer and DNA testing, but it is applicable to all progeny. Commercial farmers with a good ram, who want to know what it is going to pass on to its progeny, can use it. It would be best used with the DNA parentage test so farmers know which progeny come from which sire.

For suitable samples to be tested, Pfizer recommends whole blood tubes which can be taken by a vet. A minimum of 3ml/test is needed. It is likely previous submitted whole blood samples in Pfizer's archives can be successfully used for the SNP test.

It will take four weeks for a farmer to get the results back.

Lambs can be tested any time after birth. If it is a twin, blood should be taken after six months of age.

Farmers can also have their S50K results added to Sheep Improvement Ltd's database. This may lead to re-ranking on the SIL database.

  Printable View