DNA parentage testing in animals operates on exclusion principles, where an offspring’s DNA profile is compared to that of potential parents. If the genetic markers don’t align, the parent is excluded. When markers match across the evaluated DNA markers, the parent qualifies. Various samples like blood, hair, and buccal swabs are typically used, while non-routine samples include bones and teeth. The process involves extracting DNA, conducting PCR to amplify markers, and then analyzing allele sizes for comparison. For accuracy, a specialist reviews and validates results through multiple quality checks, especially if initial exclusions arise.
Parentage testing has been crucial since the 1950s, preserving breed integrity in animal registration. Microsatellite DNA markers, which exhibit genetic variations based on tandem repeats, are essential in individual identification and parentage analysis. An offspring inherits specific alleles from each parent, allowing a comparative analysis to verify parentage. Common scenarios include verifying parentage among multiple sires or excluding mismatches in mating cases, often through additional marker testing if needed.
The process is accurate, particularly when samples from both parents are provided, achieving over 99% reliability. However, closely related animals may present similar allele patterns, necessitating additional markers to avoid misidentification. Thus, breeders are advised to submit samples from all possible parents for accurate verification.
