| HealthGene is proud to present a new DNA
test to determine the relationship between birds. The
Avian Relation DNA Test has been designed to solve problems
of inbreeding, to help in maintaining a healthy aviary,
and to manage breeding by establishing the best pairs.
In nature, the selection process relies
on strength for survival. Any specific characteristic
of an animal or bird that carries a negative effect
for the population will take this animal or bird out
of the reproduction process to stop it from passing
this negative characteristic to the next generation.
In the hands of a breeder the selection process switches
from survival to other goals. For example, the breeder
would focus on improving certain beauty characteristics
even though it would sometimes lead to diminishing other
important qualities that would be required in the wild.
Very often the breeder will choose inbreeding as a way
to bring out those beauty characteristics faster and
easier. Uncontrolled inbreeding leads to health problems.
Symptoms that characterize close inbreeding over several
generations include decreased fertility, shorter life
expectancy, and lower resistance against climate changes
and diseases.
The problem of inbreeding has also
become an issue with nature conservationists. Dramatically
reduced populations of many species makes conservation
and protection the only ways to ensure survival of those
species. Sometimes, it means taking birds or animals
out of the wild, breeding them in captivity and releasing
them back into their native environment. A reduced population
leads to higher relatedness rates between birds or animals,
and inbreeding becomes unavoidable. Properly managed
and controlled inbreeding can help to avoid symptoms
of heavy degeneration.
Avian Relation DNA Test is based on
creating a unique DNA profile for each bird and calculating
a rate of shared markers or bands. The band sharing
frequency (BSF) between two samples allows for the estimation
of the degree of relatedness between the birds from
low to high. Birds with low BSF rate are not related
to a significant degree and should be considered as
prime breeders. Pairs with a high degree of relatedness
are siblings, the parent and an offspring, or have several
common ancestors in their pedigree. Birds with intermediate
BSF percentage share common lineage.
HealthGene requires a blood sample
or a blood feather for Avian Relation DNA Test. The
results are reported in 10 business days after the arrival
of the samples to the laboratory. |
