Frequently Asked Questions

The equine genome is packed on 31 pairs of autosomes and one sex chromosome pair. Many of the 2.7 billion DNA base pairs are exactly consistent from horse to horse, but variations exist in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPS) that affect only one of the basic building blocks—adenine (A), guanine (G), thymine (T), or cytosine (C)—in a segment. Therefore, a biomarker is just one base pair on a strand of DNA. In context, DNA measures 2.5 nanometers in diameter. For reference, a strand of human hair measures about 80,000 – 100,000 nanometers wide, and an inch is about 25,400,000 nanometers, so one cannot see SNPs or genetic markers with bare eyes or even a microscope. Advanced techniques in molecular biology are necessary to identify genetic markers (SNPs). LifeLine Genetics’ proprietary algorithm evaluates thousands of SNPs for each thoroughbred to determine its genetic profile.

Results for both the STANDARD and PREMIUM packages are available in just 4 weeks. The STANDARD package is also available at specific sales where results can be expedited within 24 hours.

Thoroughbred racehorses are selectively bred for a unique skillset unlike human beings, but similar to agricultural animals like cattle. There are many studies in agriculture investigating selective breeding using marker-assisted selection that have expedited enhancement of the breed, like Angus for beef (ref below) or Holstein for milk (ref below).

Links for marker selection for beef

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11033-018-4211-y
• https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2022-04/CGREC%20-%20AR19%20-%200%20-%20Complete%20report.pdf#page=95

Links for marker selection for milk

• https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/10/1018/htm
• https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/39317

Yes, that is true, but athletes share common genetic markers with other athletes. Elite athletes share even more in common. With all the grit and determination in the world, it is highly unlikely that my 5’10” unathletic frame on my best day could compete with Usain Bolt’s 6’5” World-class build in a 100-meter sprint…on his worse day! Selective breeding and early identification of elite equine athletes based on genetic markers will be the future of thoroughbred racing and breeding.

A deduced genotype is a genotype derived from analysis of progeny. For example, a sire’s genotype can be deduced by imputing the genotypes of his progeny. The more progeny examined, the greater confidence one has in the analysis.

Possibly, but there are opportunities to achieve a more diverse population. By evaluating the degree to which horses have commonly shared genes, one can limit the degree to which horses are in-bred while exploring possible matings that might appear in-bred based on pedigree that are not so genetically.

While the degree to which the thoroughbred is inbred relative to other domestic animals has been debated and attributed to a less robust bloodstock population, few have given discrete genetic measurements to quantify inbreeding for individual horses. Here we present an assessment of relative genetic inbreeding by assessing autosomal data for the index horse with respect to all samples previously studied. Horses are grouped as either outbred, or 5 categories of inbreeding – low, low average, average, high average and high.

We are still working on obtaining the samples required to make accurate predictions for this population.

It means you have a precocious horse that could do well in the SPRINT races that take place early in the 2 year-old year. Your colt’s advantage will likely dissipate as the competition catches up.

Short answer – no, you should not. The DNA fingerprint of a horse is fixed and does not change with age. Longer answer – no, but there can be slight changes over time with the analysis as more horses are added to the database. It is unlikely that a “PAR” horse becomes an “A”, but it is possible for a horse to move up or down a grading, ie. A “C” horse to be fall into the “PAR” ranks, or vice-versa.