Sample Submission Guidelines
What is a Parentage Test?
At its core, a parentage test is a genetic investigation that compares the DNA profile of an offspring against potential parents (sires and dams) to determine biological lineage. It relies on the fundamental principles of Mendelian inheritance: an offspring inherits one allele (gene variant) from the father and one from the mother at every specific genetic locus.
The Science of Exclusion:
Contrary to common assumption, parentage testing is scientifically a process of exclusion.
1. Genotyping: We analyze specific DNA markers (loci) across the genome.
2. Comparison: We compare the offspring's alleles to the alleged parents.
3. The Result: If an offspring possesses an allele that neither alleged parent has, that parentage is excluded (proven impossible). If the alleles match consistent patterns of inheritance across all markers, the parentage is qualified (proven highly probable).
Modern technology allows us to analyze hundreds to thousands of markers simultaneously. This massive data density ensures that the statistical probability of a coincidental match is virtually zero, providing a result that stands up in courtrooms, breed registries, and commercial transactions.
When Do You Need a Parentage Test?
The need for parentage verification spans across commercial value, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Multi-Sire Pasture Management: In commercial beef operations, multiple bulls are often turned out with a herd of cows. Without DNA testing, it is impossible to know which bull sired which calf. Parentage testing identifies the most productive sires and allows you to cull underperformers who are eating feed but not producing calves.
- Sale and Export Disputes: When selling high-value semen, embryos, or livestock, international buyers often demand DNA verification to ensure they are getting the genetics they paid for.
- Genetic Defect Management: Determining the sire allows breeders to trace the source of recessive genetic defects and manage carrier mating effectively.
- Estray and Theft Cases: In legal disputes over ownership or stolen animals, DNA parentage serves as forensic evidence to prove an animal belongs to a specific herd.
- Correcting Record-Keeping Errors: To rectify mistakes in farm or kennel records, ensuring the accuracy of future breeding decisions.
Methodology Comparison: SSR vs. SNP
Selecting the right genotyping method depends on your specific goals, herd size, and historical data requirements.
| Feature | SSR / STR (Microsatellites) | SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology Basis | Repeat Sequences: Analyzes variations in the number of short repeated DNA sequences (e.g., "GATA"). | Single Point Mutations: Analyzes specific single-letter changes in the DNA code (e.g., 'A' vs 'T'). |
| Platform | Capillary Electrophoresis: Utilizes ABI 3730xl Genetic Analyzers. | Microarrays or Sequencing: Utilizes Illumina/Affymetrix Arrays or Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS). |
| Primary Advantage | Legacy Compatibility: The historical "Gold Standard." Ideal for matching offspring to parents tested years ago. | Throughput & Depth: Automated, high-speed processing capable of analyzing thousands of samples daily. |
| Accuracy Level | High: Sufficient for standard parentage verification (ISAG Core Panels). | Superior: Tests hundreds to thousands of markers simultaneously, reducing error rates to near zero. |
| Data Compatibility | Excellent: Compatible with older datasets (e.g., sires tested 10+ years ago). | Modern Standard: Best for building new, future-proof genomic databases. |
| Value-Added Insights | Parentage Only: generally limited to identification and simple verification. | Multifunctional: Can screen for genetic traits (Polled, Coat Color) and diseases in the same run ("Add-ons"). |
| Ideal For | Low-volume samples, checking against old records, or species with limited genomic tools. | Large commercial herds, breed registries, and programs requiring trait screening alongside parentage. |
Parentage Test Applications
We provide specialized panels for a wide range of species. Each sector has unique requirements for marker sets and reporting standards.
Companion Animals
- Dogs, Cats, Horses (Equine)
- Registry Compliance: Delivers the certified DNA verification mandated by major bodies for official registration and pedigree papers.
- Multi-Sire Resolution: definitively resolves "dual-sired" litters, ensuring accurate paternity assignment when a female has mated with multiple males.
- Breeder & Owner Assurance: Provides indisputable proof of lineage for private sales, resolving ownership disputes and guaranteeing peace of mind.
Livestock & Agriculture
- Beef & Dairy Cattle, Swine, Sheep, Goats
- Herdbook Integrity: Essential for validating ancestry in official herdbooks, directly impacting market value, seedstock sales, and show eligibility.
- Biotech Validation: Confirms parentage for offspring derived from Artificial Insemination or Embryo Transfer, protecting your investment in premium genetics.
- Production Traceability: Supports "Farm-to-Fork" quality assurance programs by verifying genetic identity throughout the supply chain.
- Genetic Selection: Validates the contribution of elite sires and dams, ensuring data accuracy for Estimated Breeding Value calculations.
Research & Exotic Animals
- Primates (Monkeys - Macaques, Marmosets)
- Colony Management: Critical for maintaining genetic diversity and preventing inbreeding bottlenecks in closed research colonies.
- Biomedical Data Integrity: Guarantees the accuracy of genetic backgrounds for animals used in preclinical studies, ensuring reproducibility of research data.
- Conservation Breeding: Supports scientifically sound mating strategies to preserve the genetic health of endangered species in captivity.
Parentage Test Service Workflow
Our streamlined, end-to-end workflow ensures reliability, quality, and rapid turnaround.
Sample Requirements
Proper sample collection is crucial for a successful test. Requirements vary slightly by species and test type.
- General Requirements: Samples must be from the individual animal, correctly labeled, and protected from cross-contamination.
- Ideal Samples: Fresh buccal swabs, hair with roots, or blood on an FTA card.
Why Choose CD Genomics for Parentage Test?
We are not just a service provider; we are a partner in your scientific discovery.
- Turnkey Experience: We manage the entire logistics chain—from shipping collection kits to delivering digital certificates—ensuring a seamless, hassle-free process.
- Cost-Efficient Scalability: By leveraging high-throughput SNP automation, we significantly lower per-sample costs, making precision testing financially viable for commercial herds.
- Data Sovereignty: Your genetic data is your intellectual property. We utilize bank-grade encryption and strictly guarantee that your data is never sold or shared.
- Future-Ready Genomics: We lead the industry transition to SNP technology, delivering superior accuracy and the ability to screen for health, traits, and parentage in a single run.
- Expert Partnership: From sample collection to result interpretation, our dedicated US-based team provides clear, professional guidance to help you make data-driven decisions.
FAQ
1. Can I test an offspring if one parent is missing/deceased?
Yes. While having both parents increases accuracy, we can perform a "Sire Only" or "Dam Only" verification. However, the statistical power is slightly reduced. If the parent is deceased, we may be able to extract DNA from stored semen or hair samples.
2. What is the difference between "Parentage Verification" and "Parentage Discovery"?
Verification confirms a specific parent (e.g., "Is Bull A the father?"). Discovery searches a database of potential parents to find a match (e.g., "Which of these 10 bulls is the father?"). We offer both services.
3. Why did my hair sample fail?
The most common reason is a lack of root bulbs. If hair is cut rather than pulled, there is no DNA. Another cause is contamination with manure or dirt.
4. Can you test for coat color or genetic diseases at the same time?
Yes! If you choose our SNP profiling service, we can often screen for traits (like Coat Color, Polled/Horned, BLAD, CVM) simultaneously without requiring a new sample.
