Genetic Visions-ST™, the livestock genomic testing leader and innovator, has developed a commercially available genomic test for HH2 – Holstein Haplotype for Fertility 2.
“Our Research and Development team designed a rapid genotyping assay to detect the causative
mutation,” says Melissa Deist, Sr. Research and Genotyping Manager at Genetic Visions-ST™. “We can now unequivocally identify carriers of this condition as opposed to relying on a prediction of animals being carriers based on linkage of neighboring SNPs. To validate the new test, a subset of Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) labeled HH2 carriers were screened with the PCR assay which showed that nearly 16% of those animals were misidentified as carriers by the haplotype. The animals previously labeled as HH2 carriers and found to be normal by the new test, were confirmed as normal using DNA sequencing. Accurate identification of carrier animals gives the industry a great opportunity to eradicate this mutation from the population.”
Holstein Haplotype for Fertility 2 (HH2) is an autosomal recessive mutation that causes early embryonic loss, typically within the first 100 days of gestation. The causative mutation is in the IFT80 gene and causes early truncation of the protein. The CDCB has been calling haplotypes for HH2 for many years. However, designing a laboratory test for the functional mutation has proven elusive until now.
The test is initially available as a standalone assay but will be available as part of the Standard Marker
Package from the Genetic Visions-ST™ array of genotyping products in the coming months.
Bull owners can arrange testing by talking with their STgenetics® sales representative or by contacting
Genetic Visions-ST™ directly by phone at 608-662-9170 or email at info@geneticvisions.com. Testing
for females will be available in the near future.
Genetic Visions-ST™ is a division of STgen™.
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